Mexico telecoms czar Carlos Slim topped the Forbes annual world’s richest list, holding the edge over Microsoft’s Bill Gates who continued to give away billions to charity.

THE global ranks of billionaires grew by 199 people in the past year, but none came close to unseating Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, who added $20.5 billion (€14.83bn) to his coffers, according to Forbes magazine’s annual tally.

The global ranks of billionaires grew by 199 people in the past year, but none came close to unseating Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim, the world's richest man.