Hitherto, Africa was ruled by Kings who were seriously powerful men who had dynasties that spread far and had control over millions of lives.
Some of them were very rich individuals who commandeered great influence. Modernity swept the globe and Africa was not spared and kings and queens are not at the mercy of democracy and its accessories.
As the influence of the monarchs dwindled over the years, the smart ones among them divested into corporate businesses and other ventures, thereby leaving Africa with very few, yet very wealthy monarchs.
LIST OF AFRICA’S WEALTHY KINGS AS AT 2020
1:King Mohammed VI, Morocco
net worth: $5.4 billion
The King’s economic development strategy has propped up Morocco’s standing in the world and he is the richest king in Africa.
He controls the Moroccan investment holding company Societe Nationale d’Investissement, with assets of about estimated $10 billion. He also holds a very substantial chunk of the world’s phosphate reserves.
He is the 27th king of the Alaouite dynasty of 3 in North Africa. He ascended the throne in the year 1999.
2: Fredrick Oba Obateru Akinrutan, Nigeria
net worth Estimated: $300 million
He is the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s privately-held oil companies. He owns prime commercial and residential estates including landmark hotels and Malls in both England and Nigeria.
He is the traditional King of a small oil-rich community in Ondo state south-west, Nigeria. Oba Akinteru ascended his throne in 2009
3: King Mswati III, Swaziland
net worth: At least $50 million
King Makhosetive Dlamini, Mswati III (King of Eswatini) ascended the throne in April 1986 and became the head of the Swazi Royal Family at age 18.
He controls Tibiyo TakaNgwane, an investment holding company that has assets worth over $140 million, holding it in trust for the people of Swaziland.
4: King Goodwill Zwelithini Kabhekuzulu, South Africa
net Worth: $19 Million
King Goodwill Kabhekuzulu is the monarch of the Zulu group – the biggest ethnic group in South Africa. In line with government salary recommendations, King Zwelithini receives an annual salary of over R1.1 million In 2020/2021, the king support and royal house branch has been allocated R71.3m ($4.2m).
He receives lots of grants as well as luxuries including private flight travels which he enjoys regularly.
5:Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashanti, Ghana
net worth: $14 million
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th King of Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana. He ascended the throne in 1999 and serves as the political and spiritual head of the Asante people.
He set up Transpomech Ghana in 1989, a $12 million (sales) company that provides mining equipment to several large industrial companies in Ghana.
Otumfuo owns extensive real estate in Ghana and South Africa.
MANSA MUSA
Generally, Late Mansa Musa is described as the richest King and if not, the richest person that ever lived, apart from King Solomon of Israel. Mansa Musa I of Mali was the wealthiest person in medieval history, and perhaps of all time. He is put at a net worth of approximately US$418 billion in 2019 dollars.
Mansa Musa was born in 1280 into a family of rulers. His brother, Mansa Abu-Bakr, ruled the empire until 1312, when he abdicated to go on an expedition.
After Mansa Musa died in 1337, aged 57, the empire was inherited by his sons who could not hold the empire together. The smaller states broke off and the empire crumbled.
It is worthy of note that net worth of these kings are controversial, as other sources put their worth at variance with the ones herein.
