There are many richest presidents in Africa. Being the second-largest, as well as the second most populated continent in the world, Africa is nothing to scoff at in terms of its potential for both human and natural resources.
Thanks to its plethora of wealth in natural gas as well as minerals and other naturally occurring resources, Africa is home to tons of wealth; this is further buttressed by the fact that the richest man that has ever lived is from Africa.
Sadly, in the political scene, Africa is notorious for its various corrupt governments across the various countries in the great continent.
Africa is home to fifty-four (54) countries, a few of which are doing quite well for themselves, especially when compared to the average economic and financial states of other African countries.
Now while some successful businessmen have made a fortune for themselves through hard work and good business acumen, others have latched on to the political sector and built a name and wealth for themselves by various political activities, both good and shady.
In this write-up, we are going to consider a few of these politicians, most especially presidents that have made a fortune for themselves and stand on the list of the richest African presidents currently.
Thanks to Forbes and a series of research, we can now confidently draw up a concise list of the top ten richest leaders and presidents on the African continent.
So, without further ado, here is a list of the top ten wealthiest African presidents in 2021.
Top 10 Richest Presidents In Africa
10. Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea) $120million – $180million
Born in 1946, on the 2nd of February, in the humble outlands of Asmara, the Eritrean president has gone ahead to rule the country for a solid twenty-eight (28) years, since he led the (EPLF) to victory after the country’s thirty (30) year old war for independence, making him the first and only Eritrean president till date. He is likewise one of the longest-serving presidents in Africa.
During the course of his almost three-decade-long period in power, Isaias Afwerki has managed to amass a large number of properties and businesses, allowing him to build an estimated net worth of $180million USD, making him the tenth (10th) richest African President in 2021.
9. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Egypt) – $203million
Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi, popularly known as Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is Egypt’s one-time Minister of defence turned president.
The sixth (6th), as well as the current president of Egypt, has had a few major accomplishments in the Egyptian defence and military sector, receiving quite a number of medals and promotions along the years, slowly working his way to the top, from a low ranking military cadet to the President that we all know today.
After building up a comfortable financial nest for himself, thanks to the perks that come with his job and standing, El-Sisi has managed to gather a net worth estimated to be two hundred and three (203) million USD. Now, that’s net worth, worthy of being ranked as number nine (9) on this list.
8. Paul Biya (Cameroun) – $212million
President Paul Biya is the current president of Cameroun, a thirty-nine (39) year old position that he does not plan of giving up on any time soon. He came into power in 1982 and the Cameroonian economy has stagnated since then, making the country one of the poorest West African Countries in the world.
Paul Biya is one of the richest kings in Africa. Remember what we said in the intro to this article about Africa having some of the most corrupt politicians in the world? Well, Paul Biya fits this description almost too well.
Thanks to the county’s resources at his disposal, he has built an empire for himself, with a net worth of more than a 212million USD, making him rank number eight (8) on our list of richest presidents in Africa.
7. Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) – $450million
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is the fifth (5th) president of South Africa. He is touted as the country’s best strategist and community planner and developer. He once served as the Vice President to Renown Jacob Zuma, in that capacity, he had gone on to prove his worth and skill, taking the country to greater heights in spite of the controversies surrounding Zuma’s administration.
As president of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is the founder of the nation’s biggest trade union. Today, thanks to his advantage as president and his skill in business, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has amassed a net worth of $450million USD placing him in the 7th position on our list.
6. Paul Kagame (Rwanda) – $500million
The sixty-four (64) year-old president of Rwanda has been in office for over twenty (20) years. Under his leadership, the country has grown from the ashes of genocide to an almost African safe haven. President Kagame is the sixth (6th) president of Rwanda with a net worth of half of a billion US Dollars.
He is a decorated president, having received a number of awards as well as honours and due accolades by various organizations and countries. He is one of the few African leaders who, in spite of their long stay in office, seem to have the best interest of his country at heart.
5. King Mswati III (Swaziland) – $510million
Not much is known about King Mswati the 3rd because he has zealously led a quiet life, banning the media from taking pictures or talking about his wealth and properties.
Prior to this article, King Mswati had varying accounts of his net worth due to his hold over the media, but after a careful investigation and the news of his newly purchased Maybach worth almost half a billion dollars, we can safely estimate the Monarch’s net worth as Five hundred and ten million US Dollars.
4. Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) – $540million
Uhuru Kenyatta is the fourth richest president in Africa. Worth well over half a billion dollars, the president of Kenya, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, is the country’s fourth as well as its current chief political leader. He has held several political positions prior to his rise to office, one of which is the Chairman of the KANU (Kenya African National Union).
His skills in the business sector are by no means lacking, as he has used the resources available to him as president of Kenya, to build a net worth of five hundred and forty million US dollars, ranking him fourth (4th) on our list.
3. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo – (Equatorial Guinea) – $600million
Now, this is where things get expensively ironic. The country of Equatorial Guinea is considered to be one of the poorest, if not the poorest country in Africa. Yet, its president has a net worth that easily surpasses half of a billion UD Dollars.
The fact that the country is rich in gold, does not help to shed Mbasogo in a good light. To make matters worse, he has appointed his first son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue as his vice president.
With the country being run as a family business, it comes as no surprise that Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea is the third richest African President with a net worth of 600million USD.
2. Ali Bongo Ondimba (Gabon) – $1Billion
Popularly referred to as Ali Bongo, Alain Bernard Bongo is the present Gabonese President, this is his second time in the office following his re-election in the year 2016. After serving as the minister of defence for ten good years, he ran for president in 2009 and won, obtaining his first sit.
Coming from a socialite family, Ali Bongo used the privilege and platform that he was given to build a vast amount of fortune for himself. Today, he ranks second on our list with a net worth of one billion US Dollars.
1. King Mohammed VI (Morocco) – $5.8 Billion
King Mohammed VI is the richest president in Africa. Standing extravagantly on the top of our list is none other than the Moroccan banker and businessman of the year, King Mohammed VI. King Mohammed VI is the richest President in Africa. He is known to be an innovative and ruthless businessman.
Creating a massive amount of wealth for himself, a feat he was able to achieve by taking advantage of the fact that he is a member of the Moroccan Royalty, known to have one of the vastest fortunes on the planet.
With the right investments, King Mohammed of Morocco is currently appraised to have a net worth of over five billion US dollars.
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Conclusion
You might have probably heard this a million times, but I find it important to repeat, Africa is blessed. If all the leaders made good use of the resources at their disposal, they would be able to transform the continent into a never before seen paradise.
Sadly, corruption and greed have seeped into all levels of government. Hopefully, a brighter future awaits the people of this blessed continent.
