Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta: Credit to Photo The Associated Press
By The African Exponent
Political offices in Africa are highly sought after, and many politicians have declared that it is a ‘do-or-die’ battle to be the president of a country. There is a reason for this – and it is not the determination to help the people or offer good representation.
To be a political office holder in Africa, especially the number one position, comes with a lot of benefits. One of them is that you get to set your salary directly or indirectly control the country’s wealth and resources.
It is not news that African presidents are amongst the wealthiest class today – regardless of how poor their countries rank on the poverty index. But who are the top 10 presidents in Africa with the highest salaries in 2022? Let’s find out!
The data that advised on the salary structure of the sitting African president was secured from information provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the CIA World Factbook. Critics claim that the data available are a far cry from what these presidents actually earn, but they provide an idea.
Bear in mind that these figures only represent the basic annual salaries of these African leaders, not their allowances, bonuses, commissions, and honorarium – which experts say are even higher than the salaries themselves.
Top 10 Highest Paid African Presidents 2022
1. Paul Biya, President of Cameroon – USD 620,976
Paul Biya has been president of Cameroon since 1982 and, at 88, is the oldest head of state in Africa.
Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician serving as the president of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. He is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest-ruling non-royal leader in the world, and the oldest head of state in Africa.
2. King Mohammed VI, President of Morocco – USD 488,604
His Majesty King Mohammed VI is the current King of Morocco. He ascended to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the death of his father, King Hassan II.
Forbes reports his palace’s daily operating budget to be $960,000—which is paid by the Moroccan state as part of a 2.576 billion Dirhams/year budget as of 2014—owing much of it to the expense of personnel, clothes, and car repairs.
3. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa – USD 223,500
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African businessman and politician who has served as the fifth president of South Africa since 2018 and president of the African National Congress since 2017.
He is known to be one of the richest people in South Africa, with an estimated net worth of more than $450 million, and has appeared in financial magazines such as Forbes Africa and Bloomberg.
4. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya – USD 192,200
His Excellency, President Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., is the fourth and current president of Kenya under The National Alliance (TNA), part of the Jubilee Alliance with his running mate William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP). He is reportedly worth a fortune of $650 million.
5. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda – USD 183,216
Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is one of the longest-serving presidents in Africa and on the globe. He has been the president of Uganda for 34 years and, throughout that year, has amassed a whopping $13 billion.
6. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Algeria – USD 168,000
Abdelmadjid Tebboune is an Algerian politician currently serving as the President of Algeria since December 2019 and as Minister of Defence. He took over the power from former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and former Acting Head of State Abdelkader Bensalah.
7. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea – USD 152,680
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is an Equatoguinean politician and former military officer who has served as the 2nd president of Equatorial Guinea since August 1979. He is the longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world.
8. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe – USD 146,590
Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean revolutionist and politician who has served as President of Zimbabwe since 24 November 2017. He was the anointed heir to former president Robert Mugabe.
9. Denis Sassou, President of Republic of Congo – USD 108,400
Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician and former military leader who has been president of the Republic of the Congo since 1997. He served a previous term as president from 1979 to 1992. He headed the Congolese Party of Labour for 12 years during his first period as president.
10. Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast – USD 100,000
Alassane Dramane Ouattara is an Ivorian politician who has been President of the Ivory Coast since 2010. The Ivorian politician has an estimated net worth of $185 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, and lucrative endorsement deals.