In this essay, I'll tell you about Africa's top ten wealthiest presidents in 2022. Many people in Africa believe that politics is a tool for exploitation. Many people say it's a filthy game. Africa is a place of plenty, with fertile land, natural mineral resources, oil reserves, gold, platinum, tin, diamonds, and other precious metals and minerals that fuel and contribute to the world economy.
Despite the abundance of these rich resources, it is said that Africa is still impoverished, with the majority of Africans facing financial difficulties.
Not only that, but there are also a shortage of good and fundamental amenities that would improve the enormous population's living standards. On this note, African presidents appear unconcerned or moved by these circumstances, instead focusing on enriching themselves.
This is true because they are among Africa's wealthiest individuals, and many African citizens believe that the presidency is used to pad the bank accounts of African presidents and their families. So as not to waste your time, I give to you the top 10 wealthiest presidents in Africa in 2022, as determined by meticulous investigation and study.
10. Joseph Kabila
The current president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is Joseph Kabila. With a net worth of $100 million in 2022, he is Africa's seventh wealthiest president. He succeeded his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who was slain in 2001. He is rumored to have a slew of Congo assets. One of Joseph Kabila's challenges has been the ongoing, unresolved battles in the eastern region of the Congo, which has weakened his authority.
9. Isaias Afwerki
Eritrea's current president is Isaias Afwerki. With a net worth of $120 million in 2022, he is Africa's seventh wealthiest president. It's incredible that President Isaias Afwerki is Eritrea's only president, as he has presided over the country since its independence in 1993. His leadership abilities have been questioned as a result of his draconian governance style. The UN and Amnesty International have both accused the government of violating human rights in this report. He is in charge of the country's finances, which has resulted in him having a lot of money and putting him on this list despite the fact that his country is in bad shape.
8. Paul Biya
Cameroon's current president is Paul Biya. In 2022, he will be Africa's eighth richest president, with a net worth of $200 million. Since 1982, Paul Biya has served as President of Cameron. He has been in office for 37 years.
He was born on February 13, 1933, and has had two marriages. President Paul Biya is Cameroon's richest man, and it has been stated that he enjoys a luxury lifestyle, spending around $40,000 on lodging alone during travels. He also has properties, assets, and businesses in a variety of nations. He is described as an autocratic leader who has worn the population down.
7. Cyril Matamela
South Africa's current president is Cyril Matamela. With a net worth of $450 million in 2022, he is Africa's seventh wealthiest president. Before succeeding Jacob Zuma as President of South Africa, Cyril Matamela was a businessman, Deputy President, and activist. Cyril Matamela, the former Chairman of the National Planning Commission, was elected President of the African National Congress (ANC) in 2017.
6. Patrice Talon
The current President of the Republic of Benin is Patrice Talon. In 2022, he will be Africa's sixth richest president, with a net worth of $500 million. Patrice Talon was named the 15th wealthiest Sub-Saharan African by Forbes in 2015, with a net worth of $400 million. He was not the President of the Republic of Benin at the time. Patrice Talon was elected President of the Republic of Benin on the 6th of April 2016. He amassed his fortune through owning and operating various businesses, particularly in the cotton industry. He also profited handsomely from the operation of Cotonou's port.
5. Paul Kagame
Rwanda's current President is Paul Kagame. With a net worth of $600 million in 2022, he is Africa's fifth wealthiest president. He is Rwanda's sixth president. He ascended to power in 2000 and has ruled for more than 22 years. President Paul Kagame was born on October 23, 1957, in Ruanda, Rwanda. Before entering politics, he served in the Armed Forces, and one of his most notable accomplishments was his role in helping to bring an end to the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. His leadership style has been extensively questioned and attacked by international watchdog organizations, particularly Amnesty International.
4. Teodoro Obiang
Teodoro Obiang is the current president of Equatorial Guinea. He is the fourth richest president in Africa in 2022 with an estimated net worth of $700 million. He was born on 5th June 1954. For the past 34 years and still counting, President Teodoro Obiang has been ruling Equatorial Guinea, the office he occupied after a military coup overthrowing his uncle from office in 1979 in a military coup. A large chunk of his wealth is believed to have been acquired through looting and plundering the oil-rich nation. His country is still suffering from abject poverty because the president shares none of the country’s wealth with the citizens. The report has it that his son has followed in his step, living lavishly in a $35 million estate built in Malibu and having three Buggati Verona worth over $1.7 million.
3. Uhuru Kenyatta
Kenya's current president is Uhuru Kenyatta. With a projected net worth of $800 million in 2022, he is Africa's third richest president. He was born on October 26th, 1961. He has been the president of Kenya since April 9, 2013, and he is unquestionably one of the country's wealthiest men. He served in the government as the Minister for Local Government from 2001 to 2002 before becoming president. He made most of his money in the real estate market, owning approximately 500,000 acres of property in Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta holds holdings and shares in Kenyan media firms, hotels, and banks, among other things, in addition to his sources of income.
2. Ali Bongo Ondimba
Gabon's current president is Ali Bongo Ondimba. With a net worth of $2 billion in 2022, he is Africa's second richest president. Ali Bongo Ondimba has ruled Gabon for the past ten years and counting. He took office in October 2009 and remains in power to this day. Gabon is Africa's fifth-largest oil producer, hence the country is heavily reliant on crude oil exports. Despite this, poverty remains a major issue in Gabon, with nearly half of the population living in poverty. President Ali Bongo Ondimba reportedly spent $129 million on a property in Paris, according to the Daily Mail.
1. Mohammed VI
Mohammed VI is the current president of Morocco and also a Monarch. He is the richest president in Africa in 2022 with an estimated net worth of $5 billion. He was born in August 1963 in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. He has been ruling Morocco for 15 years and still counting, the position he occupied as a result of the death of his father, King Hassan II. He is the most educated president in Africa obtaining different degrees from different prestigious institutions worldwide due to his background of been raised in a wealthy family combined with power and royalty. During his ascension to the throne, he promised the Moroccan citizens that he will tackle poverty and corruption in the country as well as reduce unemployment rate and improve human rights status. Mohammed VI is currently the richest president in Africa in 2022 with an estimated net worth of $5 billion.