African presidents receive substantial salaries. Despite the challenges faced by their countries, these leaders command high earnings, making them some of the highest-paid presidents in the world.
Africa is a continent abundant in resources, which is why African presidents rank among the highest earners globally. Despite their countries facing underdevelopment, these leaders still manage to take home substantial salaries.
The position of a country’s president is considered the highest attainable role within a nation. This prestigious position comes with immense responsibilities, power, and significant financial benefits.
Unlike their counterparts in other parts of the world, politics in Africa has become an extremely lucrative career, with a high demand for leadership skills. African presidents not only hold immense power but also accumulate substantial wealth, even in a continent where a majority of its people live in poverty.
There are several presidents in Africa who earn significant amounts of money annually. In this article, we will explore the top 10 highest paid African presidents. Please note that this list reflects their annual salaries and not their net worth.
10. Hage Geingob, Namibia – $100,000
Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob, ranks among the highest-paid presidents in Africa, with an annual salary of $100,000. He is the third and current president of Namibia, having been in office since March 21, 2015. It is worth noting that he donates 34% of his salary to charitable causes.
9. Denis Sassou Nguesso, Republic of Congo – $110,000
Denis Sassou Nguesso, the president of the Republic of Congo, is one of the best-paid sitting presidents in Africa, earning an annual salary of $110,000. Nguesso has held the presidency since 1997 and previously served as President from 1979 to 1992. He won re-election in the presidential election in 2016.
8. Azali Assoumani, Comoros – $115,000
President Azali Assoumani of Comoros is among the best-paid presidents in Africa, with an annual salary of $115,000. Despite leading one of Africa’s poorest and less popular countries, he still receives one of the highest salaries on the continent.
7. Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Somalia – $120,000
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is one of the highest-paid sitting African presidents, earning an annual salary of $120,000. Previously serving as the Prime Minister of Somalia, he is currently the 9th president of the country.
6. William Ruto, Kenya – $132,000
President Ruto of Kenya is one of the highest-paid African leaders, earning an annual salary of $132,000. President William Ruto’s monthly gross remuneration package would rise by 7.1 percent from July 2023 to Sh1,546,875 from Sh1,443,750 currently before a further 6.7 percent jump to Sh1,650,000 from July 2024.
5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea – $150,000
Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is among the wealthiest heads of state and highest-paid presidents in Africa, earning an annual salary of $150,000. He has held the presidency since 1979, and Forbes magazine estimates his net worth to be around US$600 million.
4. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria – $168,000
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria is among the best-paid African presidents, with an annual salary of $168,000. Elected in December 2019, Tebboune succeeded former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and former Acting Head of State Abdelkader Bensalah.
3. Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa – $251,000
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ranks as the third highest-paid African president, earning an annual salary of $251,127 (R 2,900,000). According to Africa Review’s estimates, he earns approximately 22 times more than the average South African citizen.
2. King Mohammed VI, Morocco – $480,000
Second on the list is King Mohammed VI of Morocco, with an annual salary of $480,000, as reported by Africa Review. Since ascending to power in 1999, Mohammed VI earns 68 times more than the average Moroccan citizen each year.
1. Paul Biya, Cameroon – $630,000
Number one on the list of highest paid presidents in Africa is Cameroon’s President Paul Biya. President Biya is the highest-paid African president, with an annual salary of $630,000. The Cameroonian president earns 229 times more than the average Cameroonian citizen.
President Paul Biya has been leading Cameroon since November 6th, 1982, making him one of the longest-serving non-royal heads of state in Africa and the world.