Top 10 Richest Kings In Africa 2020

Updated list of the richest kings in Africa 2020. Many parts of Africa, long before the continent was carved up by colonial powers used to be kingdoms ruled by powerful monarchs, mostly kings. In many places this tradition remains, although slightly altered by the enthronement of federal governments, who hold sovereign power, and under whom most of the kingdoms operate. The only exceptions are the Kingdoms of Morocco, Lesotho, and Swaziland, whose Monarchies are Sovereign.

In as much as Africa remains the poverty capital of the world, it continues to have within its borders ridiculously wealthy monarchs who live in affluence and luxury, while the majority of their people live and die under the crushing pressure of hunger. 

In this article we want to fix the spotlight on the richest kings in Africa, so as to see the privileged few who live the good life, while the rest of us clap our hands and sing their praises. Without further ado, we now present the top 10 richest monarchs in Africa. Enjoy!

Top 10 Richest Kings In Africa 2020

King Mohammed IV
  • 1. Mohammed IV, King of Morocco

HRM, King Mohammed IV who ascended the throne on 23 July 1999, succeeding his father, King Hassan II. Mohammed IV inherited one of the largest fortunes in the world, a historic legacy of wealth that has been gathered for over 400 years. He is estimated to be worth over 2.1 billion dollars, and controls one of the biggest business empires in the world. His business interests include banking, vehicle assembly and marketing, food processing, and so on. He is an astute politician, and his style is pacifist- not taking sides as much as possible, while maintaining good relations with all major nations on every side of the world. He is the commander in chief of the Royal Moroccan Army, and is officially styled “His Royal Majesty King Mohammed the Sixth, may God Grant Him Victory.” He is one of the only two sovereign Monarchs in Africa. When on military duties he is simple addressed as “Commander in Chief.” 

Oba Fredrick Akinruntan
  • 2. Oba Fredrick Akinruntan

Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, who is the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, is the second richest king in Africa. Ugbo Kingdom is a town in Ondo State, which is in the Southwest of Nigeria. Oba Akinruntan is an astute businessman; he is the founder of Obat Oil and Gas company, a petroleum products marketing company in Nigeria. The Oba lives in unbelievable luxury; in an interview he once declared that he has a $1 million dollar watch, and it is common knowledge that he has a custom built 2012 Rolls Royce, identical to that of the Queen of England HRM Queen Elizabeth II. He is estimated to be worth over $300 million dollars. 

Mswati III, King Of Eswatini
  • 3. Mswati III, King Of Eswatini (Swaziland)

King Mswati III is the leader of the Swazi Royal Family, and King of Swaziland. Along with the King of Morocco, the Lion of Swalizand is the only other Sovereign Monarch in Africa. He rules by edict, and accepts the checks and balances of the Swazi parliament. The king is estimated to be worth $50 million dollars, and that money comes from his allocations from what the small country makes through the promotion of tourism and hospitality. He is a traditionalist, and can be seen mostly in traditional attire, rather than spend his money on western luxuries. 

Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II King of the Ashanti Empire
  • 4. Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, King of the Ashanti Empire

$10-$20 million

King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II is the king of a large tribe called the Ashanti People. He resides at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the capital city of Ashanti region and the Empire of Asante. He ascended the throne on 26 April 1999. According to forbes he is worth at least 10 million dollars. King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II is a monarch with a difference. He is heavily involved with the maintenance of peace, with the protection of the environment, and with the protection of the poor.

  • 5. Sa’adu Abubakar – Sultan of Sokoto

$80 -100 Million 

The Sultan of Sokoto – is the king of one of the largest kingdoms in Nigeria. Traditionally, he is the most powerful ruler in the northern Nigeria. He sits over the Sokoto Caliphate, which is the stronghold of the Fulani people in Nigeria.  The Sultan is not just a traditional ruler; he is the spiritual head of the Muslims in Nigeria as well. He is the co-chairman of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers. His net-worth is estimated to be between 80 to 100 million USD making him one of the wealthiest monarchs in Africa.  

Letsie III, King Of Lesotho
  • 6. Letsie III, King Of Lesotho 

70 million

King Lestie III is the King of Lesotho. He succeeded his father, Moshoeshoe II, to the throne when the latter was forced into exile due to political trouble in 1990. His father was briefly restored in 1995 but soon died in a car crash only 6 years later, and so Letsie III became king again. He is a constitutional monarch, and so the real administration of the country is done by parliament. However, he holds the legal title to all lands in the country, including the diamond mines. He is estimated to be worth at least 70 million dollars. 

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan – Ooni Of Ife
  • 7. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan – Ooni Of Ife 

$50- $70 Million 

HIM, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan is the current Ooni of Ife Kingdom, which is the traditional home of the Yoruba people.  According to legend, Ife is the place that the founders of the Yoruba people first landed, colonized, and made their home. Though young in years when compared to other kings, the Ooni of Ife, is the de facto leader of Yorubaland. He is estimated to be worth about $70 million dollars placing him on the list of the richest Obas in Africa. The Ooni of Ife lives an extravagant lifestyle, he resides in a breathtaking palace with swimming pools, beautiful garden, and cars. He often makes an appearance in a Rolls-Royce Phantom model 2011.   

  • 8. Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan – Oba of Benin

 $60 Million 

Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan is the ruler of the ancient Benin Kingdom; an empire that once spanned most of south- south Nigeria, Lagos to the West, as well as what is today known as Benin Republic. The Oba is the traditional authority in Benin City, Edo state of Nigeria, and heir to a vast royal fortune. Oba Ewuare is the 40th Oba of the ancient Benin Kingdom, and his net worth is estimated at about 60 million USD. As did his father before him, the Oba of Benin usually makes a royal appearance in a Rolls-Royce. In this case a Rolls Royce Phantom 2016 model. 

King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, King of Zulus
  • 9. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, King of Zulus

$50 million

King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is the traditional King of the ancient Zulu kingdom. He sits on a throne that is the birth right of the Zulu Royal Family dating back to the 1600’s.  His personal net worth is at least $50 million, based on the annual salary allocated to him, and also by the patronage of high net-worth individuals, politicians, and companies all of whom want to be associated with him, he his ranked as the nineth richest king in Africa.

  • 10. Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe – Obi of Onitsha 

$50 Million 

King Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, Obi of Onitsha kingdom, which in itself is a vestige of the Ancient Benin Empire, comes in next after his brother the Oba of Benin. The Obi of Onitsha has a fortune estimated to be in the region of 40 to 50 Million Dollars. Onitsha is a hub of commerce, and has the largest market in Africa; the Onitsha main market. Onitsha is also home to many high net worth individuals.

  • 11. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi – Alaafin of Oyo 

$40 Million 

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, is one of the most respected and wealthiest kings in Nigeria. His kingdom is ancient one, dating back at least 100 years before the coming of Europeans in what is today southern Nigeria. His net worth is about 40 million USD, and he lives in a lavish palace with his 3 beautiful wives. When he makes a royal appearance he usually does so in a stretched limousine, or an SUV.

  • 12. Oba Babatunde Aremu Akiolu – Oba of Lagos 

$40 Million 

Oba Babatunde Aremu Akiolu  is the Oba of Lagos. The Oba of Lagos is the traditional ruler of Lagos, revered and respected by all, both great and small, and weilds tremendous political influence. Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu’s net worth is estimated at around 40 million USD. Much of this money is acquired through gifts because politicians seeking endorsement often flock to him.  When making a royal appearance the Oba Eko as he is known, usually does so in his 2016-Mercedes-Benz-S550.

Conclusion on The Richest Kings In Africa:

It is not often possible to estimate the net worth of monarchs who do not have a legal business entity whose books can come under scrutiny. As you may have observed from the information above, forbes is only quoted in the case of the top 4, whose business establishments are well known. However, rough estimates can still be made in the case of others based on their lifestyles, and property. 

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