A recent breakdown of annual salaries across top African football leagues has revealed the highest-paid players in each country, with Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul of Al Ahly in Egypt topping the list at $1.5 million per year.
Maaloul, a mainstay in the Egyptian Premier League and a key figure in Al Ahly’s continental dominance, earns significantly more than any other player on the continent. His earnings dwarf those of the highest-paid players in other African countries.
In South Africa, national team captain and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is the best-paid player, earning $320,000 annually. His salary reflects both his experience and the club’s financial strength in the PSL.
Angola’s top earner is Brazilian forward Tiago Azulão, who takes home $263,000 a year playing for Petro de Luanda, while Young Africans SC star Stephane Aziz Ki earns $240,000 annually in Tanzania, making him the most paid player in the Tanzanian league.
In Rwanda, Ghanaian midfielder Richmond Lamptey, who recently joined APR FC, earns $120,000 per year, showcasing the Rwandan side’s ambition to attract high-quality international talent.
Khama Billiat, formerly a top earner in South Africa, now earns $72,000 a year at Scotland FC in Zimbabwe, while Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars is currently the highest-paid player in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a relatively modest salary of $10,163 annually.
Meanwhile, in Eswatini, Neliswa Dlamini of Nsingizini Hotspurs FC earns just $7,672 per year, highlighting the economic disparities across football leagues on the continent.
These figures provide a snapshot of the financial landscapes of African leagues, with vast differences in player earnings shaped by league sponsorships, fanbase size, club budgets, and television rights. While Egypt and South Africa continue to lead in terms of financial muscle, other nations are gradually making strides to improve player welfare and league competitiveness.
Highest Paid Players in African Leagues Annually
Egypt – Ali Maaloul | $1.5 million | Al Ahly
South Africa – Ronwen Williams | $320,000 | Mamelodi Sundowns
Angola – Tiago Azulão | $263,000 | Petro de Luanda
Tanzania – Stephane Aziz Ki | $240,000 | Young Africans SC
Rwanda – Richmond Lamptey | $120,000 | APR FC
Zimbabwe – Khama Billiat | $72,000 | Scotland FC
Nigeria – Sikiru Alimi | $10,163 | Remo Stars
Eswatini – Neliswa Dlamini | $7,672 | Nsingizini Hotspurs FC
