Billy Rautenbach
Billy Rautenbach is a Zimbabwean businessman known for his involvement in various industries, including mining, agriculture, and transportation.
| Legal Name | Billy Rautenbach |
|---|---|
| Born | September 23, 1959 (Age 65 Years) |
| Wife | Jenny Lynn Rautenbach |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Networth | US$700 million â–² (estimate) |
About
Billy Rautenbach is a Zimbabwean businessman involved in industries such as mining, agriculture, and transportation. He became well-known for his business dealings in Southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over the years, he has been a controversial figure, facing legal and political challenges while continuing to grow his business empire.
History
Billy Rautenbach, whose full name is Muller Conrad Rautenbach, was born in Zimbabwe. He rose to prominence in the 1990s when he took control of Wheels of Africa, a trucking company that operated across Southern Africa. The company expanded rapidly, making him one of the region's key transport operators.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Rautenbach became involved in mining, particularly in the DRC. His involvement in mining contracts and business deals attracted scrutiny, leading to allegations of corruption. At one point, he faced legal battles and was placed under sanctions by Western governments due to his alleged connections to Zimbabwe’s political elite.
Despite these controversies, he remained active in business, shifting focus to agriculture and ethanol production in Zimbabwe. His company, Green Fuel, became one of the largest ethanol producers in the country, promoting biofuel as an alternative energy source.
Education & Career
There is limited publicly available information about Billy Rautenbach’s formal education. However, his business career shows extensive experience in logistics, mining, and agriculture.
His career began with Wheels of Africa, which expanded into multiple countries before facing financial difficulties. Later, he ventured into mining in the DRC, where he was linked to deals involving cobalt and copper extraction. His role in mining projects attracted international attention, with accusations of improper dealings in securing contracts.
In Zimbabwe, he moved into ethanol production through Green Fuel, a company that produces biofuel from sugarcane. This project was promoted as a way to reduce Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported fuel, but it also faced criticism over land disputes and government policies that supported ethanol blending.
Family & Friends
Billy Rautenbach is known to keep his personal life private, and there is little publicly available information about his family and close associates. However, he is believed to have strong ties to influential political and business figures in Zimbabwe. His connections to the government have been a subject of controversy, with critics accusing him of benefiting from state support in his business ventures.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Rautenbach continues to operate various businesses in Zimbabwe and the region, maintaining his influence in key economic sectors.