Exploring The Top 20 Richest Footballers In Africa and Their Net Worth In 2024

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Who are the richest footballers in Africa in 2024? Here is a list of the top 20 best and wealthiest African soccer players of all time.

Africa is indeed a blessed continent filled with great talents in every sector, including football. Most African footballers who play for big teams are paid immensely for the great work they do on the field of play.

African footballers are doing well in Europe. Countries that initially did not have players shining in top leagues are now cheering their own. Kenya, for example, did not have a single footballer in the English Premier League.

West Africa has produced the highest number of stars and we can all agree they have represented the continent well. That particular figure transforms into wealth accumulation in the region. Many stars in the top ten richest footballers also hail from the western side of our great continent.

Professional footballers are generally well-to-do in the financial aspect. After a thorough study by a French publication, Footendirect, the publication made a list of the richest African footballers of all time. The list included both active and retired soccer players.

Leading on the Footendirect’s ranking is none other than Samuel Eto with over $95 million. Following this loaded soccer star is Yaya Toure with an estimated net worth of $70 million, Didier Drogba with $90 million; followed by the two renowned soccer retirees from Nigeria- Kanu Nwankwo and Jay-Jay Okocha. Both football legends represented the African continent and their country, Nigeria, in the international sports community beautifully well.

John Mikel Obi, the best-paid Nigerian player, is in the top 7th spot. Mikel weekly earns about £75,000 from the Chelsea club.

Footballers seem to be the leading celebrities when it comes to the luxurious and perhaps the lavish lifestyle. They own some of the most expensive houses in the world. Emmanuel Adebayor is one soccer star who appreciates luxury toys. The Togolese footballer has jets, exotic automobiles, and an exquisite mansion.

These are the richest African footballers of all time:

22. Christopher Samba (Congo) – $8 Million

The 22nd richest player in Africa on the list is Congolese defender Christopher Samber.

The bulk of the wealth of this player with a whopping net worth of US $8 Million comes not from his football salary alone but from his endorsement deals with Anzi Makhachkala where he earns $160,000 every week. In 2013, he was making a salary of $5.2 million

The defender, who plays for the Congo national football team, has played for many European football clubs like Hertha BSC, Blackburn Rovers, and Dynamo Moscow.

Though his country has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup it did win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972. They also were the winner of the All-Africa Games football tournament in 1965.

Samber is wedded to Teresa Samba.

21. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) – $9 million

Nwankwo Kanu carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Coventry during day 44 of the Olympic Flame Torch Relay in Coventry, England.
Photo: @LOCOG Source: Getty Images

Nwankwo Kanu started his career in 1992 for Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He started playing for his home country’s national team in 1993. The same year, he was signed by the Dutch team Eredivisie AFC Ajax.

He played for Arsenal from 1999 to 2004 and West Bromwich Albion from 2004 to 2006. He finished his career in 2012 at Portsmouth. Nwankwo Kanu’s net worth is 9 million dollars.

20. Andre Dede Ayew (Ghana) – $10 Million

André Morgan Rami Ayew, also known as Dede Ayew in Ghana, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd and captains the Ghana national team.

Born on December 17, 1989 (age 33 years) in Seclin, France to Abedi Pele and Maha Ayew, Andre is married to Yvonne Ayew, and the two are blessed with a child called Inaya Ayew. Dede’s siblings are Jordan Ayew and Imani Ayew.

With a salary of 3.72 million EUR (as of 2012), Dede has a net worth of $10 million.

19. Seydou Keita (Mali) – $10 Million

Seydou Keita is an ex-Malian footballer who started playing football professionally at the age of 17.

By age 20, he started playing for Mali national football team.

The versatile midfielder, who operated as both a central and defensive midfielder, has appeared in about seven African Cup of Nations tournaments.

Keita most especially played for Lens and Barcelona, winning 14 titles with the latter club after signing in 2008.

With a net worth of US $10 Million, Keita sure deserves a position among the highest-paid African players in 2022.

Zubaida Johnson is Seydou Keita’s wife.

18. Kolo Abib Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) – $10.5 million

Kolo Abib Touré is one of the richest African footballers in 2022. Kolo Abib Touré’s net worth of $10.5 million is quite impressive. The former athlete played as a defender for Manchester City, Arsenal, Celtic, Liverpool, and the Ivory Coast national team.

In early 2002, he joined the Premier League team Arsenal. He played for Arsenal until 2009 when he joined Manchester City. He joined Liverpool in May 2013. He retired in September 2017 and is now a Celtic coach.

17. Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) – $11 Million

Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a striker and winger. He previously played for Feyenoord from 2003 to 2006 and Chelsea from 2006 to 2012. While at Chelsea, he won numerous honors, including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, four FA Cups, and the League Cup. 

He was born on August 5, 1985 (age 38 years) in Oume, Côte d’Ivoire to Helene Kalou, Antoine Kalou. Salomon is 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) tall.

Kalou has a sibling named Bonaventure Kalou.

Salomon Kalou has a net worth of $11 million from his football career.

16. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – $20 Million

Riyad Karim Mahrez is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Manchester City and captains the Algeria national team. Mahrez began his career as a youth player for the French club AAS Sarcelles. 

He was born on February 21, 1991 (age 33 years) in Sarcelles, France to Halima Mahrez, and Ahmed Mahrez.

He has a child called Inaya Mahrez.

The Algerian, French professional player is 5′ 10″ tall and weighs 148 lbs.

Mahrez is one of the best and richest African footballers with a net worth of $20 million.

15. Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) – $25 Million

Kevin-Prince Boateng, also known as Prince, is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or forward.

Before his retirement, he played for the Bundesliga club Hertha BSC and also represented the Ghana national team.

Coming through the youth system, Boateng began his career at Hertha BSC, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in England. 

Prince Boateng was born on March 6, 1987 (age 37 years) in West Berlin to Christine Rahn, and Prince Boateng. He has three siblings; Jérôme Boateng, BTNG, Avelina Boateng.

He stands at a height of 6′ 1″.

He was married to Melissa Satta from 2016 to 2020, and Jennifer Boateng from 2007 to 2011.

With a salary of 1.76 million EUR in 2021, Kevin has a net worth of $25 million, making him one of the wealthiest footballers in Africa.

14. Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) – $25 Million

Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward. He is known for his speed on the ball. After leaving Nigeria for Italy at age 16, he has since played for several top-division clubs around Europe like Shanghai Shenhua F.C.

Obafemi was born on October 28, 1984 (age 39 years) in Lagos, Nigeria to his father, Alhaji Obafemi, and his mother, Alhaja Martins. He has two siblings namely, Oladipupo Martins, and John Ronan Martins.

Obafemi is married to Abigail Barwuah. The couple is blessed with three children namely: Tyler Martins, Kelvin Martins, and Kendrick Martins.

With a salary of 600,000 EUR as of 2012, Obafemi has a current net worth of $25 million per LegitNG.

13. Sadio Mane (Senegal) – $25 Million

Sadio Mané is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Premier League club Liverpool and the Senegal national team. Mané finished fourth in the 2019 Ballon d’Or, and in the award for the Best FIFA Men’s Player, he ranked fifth in 2019 and fourth in 2020. 

Mane was born on April 10, 1992 (age 31 years) in Banbali, Senega to Satou Toure.

Standing at a height of 5′ 9″, Sadio makes a salary of 5.2 million GBP (2022) and has a net worth of $25 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.

12. Thomas Partey (Ghana) – $30 Million

Thomas Teye Partey is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Premier League club Arsenal and the Ghana national team. 

Thomas was born on June 13, 1993 (age 30 years) in Odumase Krobo, Ghana.

Standing at a height of 6′ 1″, Thomas Partey has a net worth of $30 million and he is considered one of the best and richest footballers in Africa.

11. Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast) – $30 Million

Nicolas Pépé is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Premier League club Arsenal. Born in France, he represents the Ivory Coast, national team. Pépé began his senior club career with Poitiers in the Championnat de France Amateur 2. 

Nicolas was born on May 29, 1995 (age 28 years) in Mantes-la-Jolie, France. He has a sibling named Jonathan Pepe.

He stands at a height of 6′ 0″.

The French-Ivorian footballer has a net worth of $30 million, per Sports Brief.

10. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) – $30 Million

The Balck Stars of Ghana captain started his football career with Liberty Professionals.

Gyan scored 10 goals in 16 games for Liberty Professionals in the Ghana Premier League as far back as 2003.

The Ghanaian has played for several notable football clubs globally, including Udinese, Rennes, Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, and Asamoah Gyan’s current team is Kayserispor where he plays as a striker.

I’m sure you didn’t know Gyan has the second-highest fee paid (£13 million) among all transfers to Sunderland A.F.C.

Asamoah Gyan’s net worth is about US $30 Million. The majority of this colossal sum comes from the various Asamoah Gyan business and his Real Estate investments in Ghana and other parts of the world, including Baby Jet Promotion, Mama Vits Noodles, and Rice.

Gifty Gyan is Asamoah Gyan’s wife. Floyd Gyan (Son), Rafael Gyan (Son), and Frederick Gyan (Son) are all Asamoah Gyan’s children.

9. Michael Essien (Ghana) – $35 Million

Michael Kojo Essien has donned the Ghana National Team jersey more than 50 times.

The midfielder has represented different clubs including French sides Bastia and Lyon; English Premier League club, Chelsea; Spanish La Liga club, Real Madrid; Italian Serie A club, AC Millan; and others.

Currently, he plays for Sabail FK, an Azerbaijani football club based in Baku.

Akosua Puni Essien is Michael Essien wife. There were rumours some months back that Michael Essien’s wife Akosua Puni packed out of her matrimonial home over Princess Shyngle’s affair with her husband.

Michael Essien’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.

8. Edouard Mendy (Senegal) – $40 Million

Édouard Osoque Mendy is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

He plays for the Senegal national team.

Starting his career in his native France, Mendy played in the Le Havre academy before signing professional terms with third-division Cherbourg in 2011.

Before joining his current team, he was the goalkeeper for the Premier League club Chelsea.

Mendy was born on March 1, 1992 (age 31 years) in Montivilliers, France. The French-Senegalese player stands at a height of 6′ 6″.

He has a net worth of $40 million.

7. John Obi-Mike (Nigeria) – $45 Million

If this were a list of the best Nigerian footballers, John Michael Nchekwube Obinna would not be in the number seven spot; he’d probably be number one!

Mikel’s football career started at the age of 16 with the Enyimba Football Club of Aba in Nigeria. His success in this club paved the way for him to play for Nigeria’s U-17.

His football career has been a huge success since then and went on to sign for Chelsea FC.

The Super Eagles skipper has played for some international clubs other than Chelsea, talking about the likes of Norwegian side Lyn Oslo and Chinese club Tianjin Teda.

Mikel John Obi currently plays as a midfielder for the English club Middlesbrough.

Olga Diyachenko is John Obi Mikel wife.

Mikel Obi’s net worth of US $45 Million qualifies him to be the 7th richest footballer in Africa. John Mikel Obi’s investment in real estate and several other endorsements is where most of his wealth is from.

6. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) – $45 Million

Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the 6th richest footballers in Africa as a result of the numerous lucrative contracts he benefited from the richest clubs in England.

The Togolese professional footballer was born in Lome, Togo in February 1984. He spent his youth playing for OC Agaza and Metz and currently plays as a striker for the Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.

Though Adebayor has played for the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Tottenham Hotspur as well as French side Metz, Monégasque team Monaco, and Spanish team Real Madrid in the past.

The talented player was voted the 2008 African Footballer of the Year. He is currently the all-time top goalscorer for the Togo national football team with 31 goals.

Adebayor is known to have indulged in charity causes and has initiated many projects in Togo and across Africa and the SEA Foundation implements different welfare projects across the continent.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s net worth is about $45 Million and makes a salary of $7 million per year, according to CelebrityNetWorth.

Kola Adebayor (Brother), Yabo Adebayor (Sister), Lucia Adebayor (Sister), Rotimi Adebayor (Brother), Peter Adebayor (Brother), Maggie Adebayor (Sister), Hajia Adebayor (Mother), Shadrach Adebayo Adeyi (Father), Kendra Adebayor, are all members of Emmanuel Adebayor family.

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – $50 Million

Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang ONM is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Barcelona and captains the Gabon national team. He is renowned for his pace, finishing, and off-ball movement. 

Having been recognised as one of the best strikers in his prime, he was renowned for his pace, finishing, and off-ball movement. 

Emerick was born on June 18, 1989 (age 34 years) in Laval, France to Margarita Crespo Aubameyang, and Pierre Aubameyang.

He stands at a height of 6′ 2″.

The French-Gabonese is married to Alysha Behague and the duo has a child named, Curtys Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick has a net worth of $50 million and earns a salary of $18 million a year, making him one of Africa’s best and wealthiest footballers.

4. Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire): $70 Million

Gnégnéri Yaya Toure deserves to be mentioned as our third-richest footballer in Africa as he’s one of the finest African players with global recognition.

Toure began football with the ASEC Mimosas youth academy team in Cote d’Ivoire in the mid-90s.

Touré aspired to be a striker during his youth and has played center-back, including for Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.

He played for and captained the Ivory Coast national team and most recently was a midfielder for Superleague Greece club Olympiacos.

The 40-year-old is currently a retired footballer and works as a coach. He is an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabian national team.

Yaya Toure wife is Gineba Touré.

The Former Manchester City midfielder is the brother of Ibrahim Touré and Kolo Touré, the Assistant Manager of Leicester City.

Yaya Toure’s net worth of 70 million dollars, plus his reported earnings of $15 million a year, earns him the fourth richest footballer in Africa status.

There were claims in 2015 that Toure allegedly fathered a two-year-old secret love child with ex-girlfriend Mariam Camara.

3. Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire): $90 Million

Since his 2004 transfer to Chelsea at the age of 26, Didier Yves Drogba Tébily has signed several lucrative contracts.

He was paid a staggering $105,000 a week when he was at his peak with Chelsea, a figure dwarfed, however, by the whopping $325,000 he earned in his short spell at Shanghai Shenhua.

Though retired, Drogba, however, had several lucrative sponsorship deals but his actual earnings a year were far more.

Didier Drogba is the brother of Joël Drogba (Retired) and Freddy Drogba (Without Club). He is also the cousin of Severin Drogba (Unknown) and Olivier Tébily (Retired).

Isaac Drogba and Kieran Drogba are both Didier Drogba sons. Isaac plays as a forward for EA Guingamp U19.

I bet you didn’t know Drogba ranks seventh among English football first-tier top scorers by titles.

Diakité Lalla is Didier Drogba wife.

Didier Drogba’s net worth is estimated to be $90 million at the moment, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

2. Mohammed Salah (Egypt): $90 Million

Net Worth: Top 20 Richest Footballers In Africa In 2022, Their Names, Ages, Country, Forbes, Cars, Houses, Pictures, Etc

Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.

Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his finishing, dribbling, and speed.

Salah was born on June 15, 1992 (age 31 years) in Nagrig, Egypt.

Salah stands at a height of 5′ 9″.

In 2013, Mohammed Salah married his wife, who is known as Magi Sadeq. The two are blessed with two children, namely, Kayan Mohamed Salah and Makka Mohamed Salah.

Celebrity Net Worth estimates Mohammed Salah’s net worth to be around £66 million, which is equivalent to $90 million.

1. Samuel Eto (Cameroon): $95 Million

Net Worth: Top 20 Richest Footballers In Africa In 2022, Their Names, Ages, Country, Forbes, Cars, Houses, Pictures, Etc

Who is the richest African football player? Eto’o is a Cameroonian professional football (soccer) player who is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He is also the wealthiest African football player today, with his fortune raking in millions of dollars.

The most influential football player in Cameroon is now the country’s football administrator and the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation.

He started his professional soccer career at an early age, and during his prime, he was regarded as one of the best strikers by pundits.

He won the African Player of the Year a record four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.

Samuel Eto’o Awards include the Pichichi Trophy (2006), African Player of the Year (2010, 2006, 2005), CAF Youth Player of the Year (2001), CAF Africa’s Finest XI (2009, 2007, 2006), and the CAF Award for Best Ten Players of the Last 50 Years (2008).

The Cameroonian was, in fact, once the highest-paid player in the world while he was with Russian football club FC Anzhi Makhachkala, earning a whopping $25 million a year.

Georgette Eto’o is Samuel Eto’s wife.

What is Samuel Etoo’s net worth? Per CelebrityNetWorth, Cameroon soccer star Samuel Eto’o has an estimated current net worth of $95 million and makes a salary of $26 million a year.

Summary of the top 20 richest African footballers in 2024 and their net worth:

  • 1. Samuel Eto (Cameroon) – $95 Million.
  • 2. Mohammed Salah (Egypt) – $90 Million.
  • 3. Didier Drogba (Cote D’Ivoire) – $90 Million.
  • 4. Yaya Toure (Cote D’Ivoire) – $70 Million.
  • 5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – $50 Million.
  • 6. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) – $45 Million.
  • 7. John Obi Mike (Nigeria) – $45 Million.
  • 8. Edouard Mendy (Senegal) – $40 Million.
  • 9. Michael Essien (Ghana) – $35 Million.
  • 10. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) – $31 Million.
  • 11. Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast) – $30 Million.
  • 12. Thomas Partey (Ghana) – $30 Million.
  • 13. Sadio Mane (Senegal) – $25 Million.
  • 14. Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) – $25 Million.
  • 15. Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) – $20 Million.
  • 16. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – $20 Million.
  • 17. Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) – $11 Million.
  • 18. Kolo Abib Touré – $10.5 million.
  • 19. Seydou Keita (Mali) – $10 Million.
  • 20. Andre Dede Ayew (Ghana) – $10 Million.
  • 21. Nwankwo Kanu – $9 million
  • 22. Christopher Samba (Congo) – $8 Million.