Top 22 richest African footballers and their net worth revealed (2024)

The African continent is blessed with many talented people. Among the gifted people are football stars, some of whom are recognised internationally. The richest African footballers have played for local and international teams. They have amassed cash and wealth from their football talent.

The richest African footballers are worth millions of dollars. Many have accumulated most of their wealth from their soccer careers. Others have multiple streams of income, including football coaching and brand endorsem*nts. This list of the richest African footballers is strictly based on their net worth. The list excludes athletes whose net worth is not known in the public domain.

Overview of the richest African footballers and their net worth

Richest African footballers and their net worth

Check out the list of the wealthiest footballers in Africa. Some of them are still playing the sport, while others are retired.

22. Kenneth Omeruo - $3 million

• Full name: Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
• Date of birth: 17 October 1993
• Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Abia State, Nigeria

Kenneth Omeruo plays for the Nigeria national team and Kasımpaşa. Omeruo left Standard Liège to join Chelsea in January 2012, and he later signed a loan deal with ADO Den Haag of the Dutch top division. Kenneth Omeruo’s net worth is $3 million.

21. Wilfried Zaha - $4 million

• Full name: Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha
• Date of birth: 10 November 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Wilfried Zaha plays as left winger for Galatasaray and the Ivory Coast national team. He signed a three-year contract with Galatasaray for a fee of €2.35m and an annual salary of €4.35m. Wilfried Zaha’s net worth is $4 million.

20. Sulley Muntari - $5 Million

• Full name: Suleyman Ali Muntar
• Date of birth: 27 August 1984
• Age: 39 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Konongo, Ashanti, Ghana

Sulley Muntari played as a midfielder for such as Udinese, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. In Ghana in 2008, at the African Cup of Nations Tournament, he was chosen as an All-Star Player. Sulley Muntari’s net worth is $5 Million.

19. Kwadwo Asamoah - $6 million

• Full name: Kwadwo Asamoah
• Date of birth: 9 December 1988
• Age: 35 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Accra, Ghana

Kwadwo Asamoah was a midfielder or defender for Cagliari Calcio. He was awarded CAF Most Promising African Player in 2010 and Ghana Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. He played for clubs such as Udinese, Inter Milan and Juventus. Kwadwo Asamoah’s net worth is $6 million.

18. Christopher Samba - $7 million

• Full name: Veijeany Christopher Samba
• Date of birth: 28 March 1984
• Age: 40 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Créteil, France

Christopher Samba played as a defender for the Congo national team and Aston Villa. Samba played for various football clubs, including Hertha BSC, Blackburn Rovers, and Dynamo Moscow. Christopher Samba's net worth is $7 million.

17. Nwankwo Kanu - $9 million

• Full name: Nwankwo Kanu
• Date of birth: 1 August 1976
• Age: 47 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Owerri, Nigeria

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.

16. Kolo Abib Touré - $10.5 million

• Full name: Kolo Abib Touré
• Date of birth: 19 March 1981
• Age: 43 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire

Kolo Abib Touré is one of the richest African footballers. 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.

15. Salomon Kalou - $11 million

• Full name: Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou
• Date of birth: 5 August 1985
• Age: 38 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Oumé, Ivory Coast

Salomon Kalou played as a forward and winger for Djiboutian club Arta/Solar7. He previously played for Chelsea, Feyenoord, Lille, Hertha Berlin, and Batafogo. Salomon Kalou's net worth is $11 million.

14. Jay-Jay Okocha - $15 million

• Full name: Augustine Azuka Okocha
• Date of birth: 14 August 1973
• Age: 50 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Enugu, Nigeria

Jay-Jay Okocha was an attacking midfielder for teams such as Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC, and Hull SC. In 2003 and 2004, he was named BBC African Footballer of the Year. Jay-Jay Okocha’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $15 million.

13. Benni McCarthy - $16 million

• Full name: Benedict Saul McCarthy
• Date of birth: 12 November 1977
• Age: 46 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Benni McCarthy is a first-time coach at Manchester United. Benni previously played as a forward for various teams such as West Ham United, Ajax, Porto, Celta Vigo and Blackburn Rovers. He holds a record among the South African national team for being the all-time leading goal scorer with 32 goals. Benni McCarthy’s net worth is $16 million.

12. Sadio Mané - $25 million

• Full name: Sadio Mané
• Date of birth: 10 April 1992
• Age: 32 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Bambali, Senegal

Sadio Mané plays for the Senegal national team and Al Nassr. Before joining Al Nassr, he was signed with Liverpool, Red Bull Salzburg, Ligue 2 club Metz, and Southampton. Sadio Mané's net worth as of 2024 is $25 million, making him among one of the top 20 richest African footballers.

11. Victor Moses - $27 million

• Full name: Victor Moses
• Date of birth: 12 December 1990
• Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

Victor Moses plays as a wing-back for the Russian club Spartak Moscow. Victor has played for clubs such as West Ham, Inter Milan, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Stroke City, and Liverpool. In July 2021, he signed a two-year club contract with Spartak Moscow, but in February, he extended his contract to 2024. Victor Moses' net worth is $27 million.

10. Thomas Partey - $28 million

• Full name: Thomas Teye Partey
• Date of birth: 13 June 1993
• Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Odumase Krobo, Ghana

Thomas Teye Partey plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal and the Ghana national team. He started his youth career at the Atlético Madrid B team where he played from the 2013-15 season and eventually got promoted to the first team. Thomas Partey's net worth is $28 million.

9. Odion Ighalo - $28 million

• Full name: Odion Jude Ighalo
• Date of birth: 16 June 1989
• Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria

Odion Jude Ighalo plays as a forward for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda and the Nigeria national team. After starting his career at Nigerian clubs Prime and Julius Berger, he moved to Norwegian club Lyn in 2007. Odion Ighalo's net worth is $28 million.

8. Asamoah Gyan - $30 Million

• Full name: Asamoah Gyan
• Date of birth: 22 November 1985
• Age: 38 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Accra, Ghana

Asamoah Gyan is a footballer who played as a striker for Legon Cities FC and Ghana national team. He represented Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in 2006,2010 and 2014. He is the highest African to have scored more goals at the World Cup. Asamoah Gyan’s net worth is $30 Million.

7. Michael Essien - $35 million

• Full name: Michael Kojo Essien
• Date of birth: 3 December 1982
• Age: 41 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Accra, Ghana

Michael Essien, a former professional footballer, is among the top 20 richest footballers in Africa. The Ghanaian athlete was a midfielder and is currently a member of the coaching staff of the Danish Superliga club, Nordsjælland.

Michael started his career at a local club in Ghana after graduating from St. Augustine College. In 2005, the France National Union Professional Footballers voted him the Player of the Year. Today, Michael Essien's net worth is $35 million.

6. Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor - $45 million

• Full name: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
• Date of birth: 26 February 1984
• Age: 40 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Lomé, Togo

Emmanuel Adebayor is a famous Togolese athlete. He started his career in his home country and is among the top 10 richest African players of all time. From 2003 to 2006, he played for Monaco. In 2006 he signed with Arsenal, and in 2009, he signed with Manchester City. In 2012, he signed Tottenham Hotspur. Emmanuel Adebayor's net worth is $45 million.

5. John Obi Mikel - $45 million

• Full name: Mikel John Obi
• Date of birth: 22 April 1987
• Age: 37 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Jos, Nigeria

John Obi-Mikel is a former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He played for Chelsea and the Nigerian national team. He is among the top 50 richest African footballers of all time.

The athlete started his career at Pepsi Football Academy at 12. Later, he played for Nigeria at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships. He signed with Chelsea in 2005. He was Chelsea's Young Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008. John Obi-Mikel's net worth is $45 million as of 2024.

4. Yaya Touré Gnégnéri - $70 million

• Full name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
• Date of birth: 13 May 1983
• Age: 40 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire

Yaya Touré Gnégnéri is among the top 20 richest footballers in Africa in 2024. He started playing football with the ASEC Mimosas Youth Academy team in Cote d'Ivoire. He then relocated to Europe, where he played for Beveren in Belgium.

Later, he signed with AS Monaco before joining Barcelona. In 2010, he joined Manchester City. Today, he is an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabia national team. Yaya Touré's net worth is $70 million.

3. Mohamed Salah - $90 million

• Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
• Date of birth: 15 June 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Nagrig, Egypt

Mohamed Salah, alias the Egyptian King or The Pharaoh, is among the top 10 richest footballers in Africa in 2024. He is one of the best strikers in the world. Mohamed Salah's net worth is an impressive $90 million. The Egyptian King is a key player in the Italian and English leagues. He currently plays as a forward for Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.

2. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily - $90 million

• Full name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily
• Date of birth: 11 March 1978
• Age: 46 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Didier Yves Drogba ranks high on the list of the top 10 richest African footballers in 2024. He earned a salary of $15 million per year at his peak. Today, Didier Drogba's net worth is $90 million. The retired athlete was known for his striking ability and tendency to score goals during big matches. He is a former captain of the Ivory Coast national team.

1. Samuel Eto'o - $95 million

• Full name: Samuel Eto'o Fils
• Date of birth: 10 March 1981
• Age: 43 years (as of April 2024)
• Place of birth: Douala, Cameroon

Samuel Eto'o Fils is the richest African footballer of all time. The former Cameroonian footballer was one of the highest-paid footballers globally, earning an annual salary of $26 million. Samuel Eto'o's net worth is $95 million. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. In 2004, he joined Barcelona for a transfer fee of 24 million Euros.

Who is the richest footballer in the world?

The richest footballer in the world is Faiq Jefri Bolkiah. Bolkiah has a net worth of over £16 billion.

Who is the richest African footballer in 2024?

The wealthiest African footballer is Samuel Eto'o Fils. He is worth $95 million as of 2024.

Who is the richest man in Africa?

Business magnate Aliko Dangote is the wealthiest man in Africa in 2024. He has a net worth of $15.6 billion as of April 2024.

Who is the richest footballer in Africa?

The richest football player in Africa is Samuel Eto'o Fils. He is worth $95 million.

Who is the best African player in 2024?

The best African footballers in 2024 include Sadio Mané from Senegal, Edouard Mendy from Senegal, Karl Toko Ekambi from Cameroon, and Mohamed Salah from Egypt.

Who is the richest Nigerian footballer?

John Obi Mikel is arguably Nigeria's wealthiest footballer. He is worth $45 million as of 2024.

Who is the most-paid African footballer?

The highest-paid African footballers include Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mohamed Salah, Seko Fofana, and Franck Kessie.

The richest African footballers come from various countries on the continent. Most started their careers in local clubs before moving to the global ones.

Sportsbrief.com recently published a list of the biggest football clubs in England. One of the hotly debated topics among English Premier League fans is England's best club over the years.

While most people like giving their opinion when arguing such a subject, you need to look at the facts and numbers. The ranking of the biggest soccer teams in England is based on the trophies won.