List of Highest-Paid African Presidents in 2024, Their Salaries

 

Cameroonian president Paul Biya 

Who are the African leaders currently earning the biggest salaries? This is arguably one of the most often-asked questions across the continent. Cameroonian president Paul Biya has been in power since 1982.  Why Africans fight for leadership Who are the highest-paid African presidents? 1. Paul Biya - Cameroon 2. King Mohammed VI - Morocco 3. Cyril Ramaphosa - South Africa 4. Abdelmadjid Tebboune - Algeria 5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - Equatorial Guinea 6. Emmerson Mnangagwa - Zimbabwe 7. William Ruto - Kenya Who is the richest African? + View more Why Africans fight for leadership African leaders are regarded as the "most important citizens" of their respective nations, which is understandable given that a leadership position confers great status and elevates the holder.  Most African leaders are extremely affluent and fight tooth and nail to get high positions. This is why, during election seasons, many politicians battle it out to be elected. They're drawn to the lavish lifestyle these people lead, which is made possible by their large salaries, bonuses, and, frequently, lavish allowances. It is cause for concern that most leaders earn yearly salaries far higher than the average wage or the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. Who are the highest-paid African presidents? 1. Paul Biya - Cameroon According to Business Insider Africa, Cameroonian president Paul Biya is the highest-paid leader in the continent. He earns $620,976 (KSh 80,726.880) annually. The 91-year-old has ruled the West African country since November 6, 1982. The East African reported Biya will seek re-election again in 2026 when he will have turned 93.  This was after the country's parliament approved his request to postpone parliamentary and municipal elections, prolonging his stay in power. 2. King Mohammed VI - Morocco Moroccan leader King Mohammed VI has been in power since July 23, 1999, when he ascended to the throne following his father's death. Mohammed owns substantial assets in several sectors of the economy. His salary is $488,604 (KSh 63.5 million) yearly. Forbes estimates his net worth at over $5.7 billion (KSh 741 billion). According to the publication, his palace's daily operational budget is $960,000 (KSh 124.8 million). The budget funds his staff, clothing, and car repairs. 3. Cyril Ramaphosa - South Africa In June, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa secured a second term after a highly contested General Election in which the ANC lost its majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC formed a coalition with the Democratic Alliance party to obtain the necessary votes for Ramaphosa's re-election. BBC reported that by 2015, Ramaphosa's wealth was estimated at $450 million (KSh 58.5 billion). He earns $223,500 (KSh 29 million). 4. Abdelmadjid Tebboune - Algeria Since December 2019, Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been the president of Algeria and Minister for Defence. Tebboune replaced Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Prior to this, he served as Algeria's prime minister from May to August 2017. The 78-year-old leader earns $168,000 (KSh 21.84 million). 5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has served as Equatorial Guinea's president since August 3, 1979. The former military commander is the country's second president and currently the world's second-longest-serving non-royal country leader. Nguema earns $152,680 (KSh 19.84 million) per annum. 6. Emmerson Mnangagwa - Zimbabwe Mnangagwa has been Zimbabwean president since 24 November 2017, when he toppled Robert Mugabe. He won his first full term as president in the contentious 2018 General Election. In the subsequent election held in August 2023, Mnangagwa was re-elected with 52.6% of the votes. The 'crocodile' earns $146,590 (KSh 19.05 million) annually. 7. William Ruto - Kenya The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) set the president's gross salary at KSh 1.44 million per month, translating to KSh 16.8 million annually. Ruto's pay is KSh 1 million more than some of the heads of state of his East African Community (EAC) member countries. Tanzania's Samia Suluhu takes home KSh 474,183, while Rwanda's Paul Kagame earns KSh 852,125 monthly. According to Pulse Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni earns USh 3.6 million monthly (KSh 126,660). Who is the richest African? Aliko Dangote retained his position as Africa's richest man on Forbes' list of the 200 richest men in the world. Forbes announced that Dangote was Africa's richest man for the 12th consecutive year in its 2023 report. 

by  Japhet Ruto