Renowned global ranking authority, Forbes, has recently unveiled its updated roster of the ten wealthiest musicians in Africa.
The distinguished artists featured in this prestigious list hail from diverse nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and other countries with flourishing music industries. The lineup reflects the immense influence and financial success these talented individuals have achieved within their respective fields.
To discover the full list of Africa’s top richest musicians, explore the compilation below…
- Akon (Senegal)
Akon has over 35 million albums sold worldwide and also a popular musician in Africa and also in the world.
He has won numerous awards including five Grammy Award nominations and has 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt. He tops the list according to Forbes Africa.
Akon net worth is estimated at $80 million currently this 2018.
2. Black Coffee (South Africa)
The multi-award-winning artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
He was born in South Africa’s house music province, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and raised in the Eastern Cape province, where Nelson Mandela hailed from, before moving back to KZN to study music.
He is second richest artist in Africa but first in South-Africa with a current net worth of $60 million this 2018.
3. Hugh Masekela (South Africa)
Hugh was born in Witbank, east of Johannesburg. He has released more than 43 albums and performed with Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba.
He is also one of the richest African musicians today.
4. Don Jazzy (Nigerian)
Don Jazzy is ranked fourth richest musician in Africa and also first in Nigeria.
Like many artists, his real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, and he started playing music as a child in church before moving to the UK to pursue his career.
Don Jazzy net worth currently is $30 million.
5. Tinashe (Zimbabwe/America)
Tinashe was a child model by the age of three. The twenty-four-year-old sang before she could talk and made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed.
Her voice also starred in the cartoon feature film The Polar Express alongside Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks.
She is the fifth on Forbes list on richest African musicians.
6. Jidenna (Nigeria/America)
By the age of 10, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson knew he wanted to do music but was afraid to tell his father who wanted him to be an engineer.
He is ranked sixth according to Forbes Africa.
7. Wizkid (Nigeria)
Wizkid is arguably currently the uncrowned king of African music.
Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, danced to his songs Ojuelegba and Caro, with Keys posting a video on her Instagram account with the caption, “This song makes me happy”.
He is seventh richest musician in the African continent according to Forbes List, with a net worth of $20 milion.
8. Davido (Nigeria)
Davido is a popular Nigerian artist and who achieved celebrity status in just five years. He said it was people like P-Square and D’Banj who made him believe this was possible.
He became famous for his widely acclaimed 2012 debut album “Omo Baba Olowo”. His net worth currently is $16 million.
9. Sarkodie (Ghana)
Michael Owusu Addo started out as an underground rapper and through the help of Duncan Williams, his former manager, his career was launched.
Forbes estimated Sarkodie net worth to be at $5 million
His first single off his fourth album, Mewu, sold almost 4,000 copies on the first day of its release in Ghana. He was also the first Ghanaian to win a BET award.
10. Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe)
Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi has 65 albums under his belt, more than the legendary Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
It’s a remarkable career stretching back 41 years with songs that have enlivened parties all over the world.
He is ranked the 10th richest musician in Africa.