African countries continue to show diverse economic growth, with certain nations standing out for offering higher average salaries to their workforce. To determine the top earners, this list uses publicly available data from Statista and Salary Explorer, both of which provide credible insights into global income levels.
🔗 Sources:
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Statista – Global Average Salary Data: https://www.statista.com
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Salary Explorer – Country Salary Surveys: https://www.salaryexplorer.com
Before diving into the rankings, it is important to understand how these salary estimates work—because average salary is different from minimum wage, and each reveals a different part of the economic story.
Average Salary vs Minimum Wage: What’s the Difference?
According to Salary Explorer, average salaries are calculated using real feedback submitted by workers in each country. Salary samples from respondents are combined and divided by the total number of entries, producing the average monthly salary.
🔗 Salary Explorer Methodology:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php
However, average salary does not represent the guaranteed earnings of every worker. It simply offers a broad indicator of income levels.
Minimum wage, in contrast, is legally enforced. Employers cannot pay any worker below this amount. While minimum wage reflects the economic floor, average salary reflects economic performance and workforce demand.
Together, these metrics offer insights—but not the full picture—of a country’s financial wellbeing.
Top 10 African Countries Where Workers Earn the Highest Average Monthly Salaries
1. Morocco — $2,031
Morocco leads the list with an impressive average monthly salary of $2,031. A diversified economy powered by tourism, manufacturing, automotive exports, and agriculture drives income levels upward.
Learn more about Morocco’s economy:
https://www.statista.com/topics/2473/morocco/
2. South Africa — $2,026
South Africa follows closely with an average monthly salary of $2,026. As the continent’s most industrialized nation, South Africa’s economy spans mining, finance, engineering, and tech.
More data on South Africa income trends:
https://www.statista.com/topics/2474/south-africa/
3. Tunisia — $1,348
With an average salary of $1,348, Tunisia ranks third. Strong sectors include education, healthcare, ICT, and manufacturing.
Tunisia economic overview:
https://www.statista.com/topics/4191/tunisia/
4. Kenya — $1,291
Kenya’s growing tech ecosystem (“Silicon Savannah”) and expanding services sector put its average salary at $1,291.
Salary insights for Kenya:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=110&loctype=1
Also Read: Top Highest Paying Jobs with No Degree
5. Algeria — $1,273
Powered by oil and gas revenues, Algeria offers an average monthly salary of $1,273, ranking fifth on the continent.
Algeria economic indicators:
https://www.statista.com/topics/2471/algeria/
6. Namibia — $1,168
Namibia ranks sixth, with average monthly pay reaching $1,168. Mining, tourism, and public sector employment drive much of the wage structure.
Namibia salary and economic data:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=143&loctype=1
7. Botswana — $1,000
With an average salary of $1,000, Botswana remains one of Africa’s most stable economies, thanks to its diamond industry, tourism, and financial services.
Botswana economic profile:
https://www.statista.com/topics/9503/botswana/
8. Nigeria — $814
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has an average salary of $814. Despite its size, income inequality and inflation impact earnings across sectors.
Nigeria salary structure:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=159&loctype=1
Also Read: Top 10 Companies Offering the Highest Salaries in Nigeria
9. Ghana — $748
Ghana follows with $748 in average monthly income. The nation is experiencing steady economic growth through banking, fintech, and energy.
Ghana economic data:
https://www.statista.com/topics/2437/ghana/
10. Uganda — $738
Uganda closes the list with an average salary of $738, driven by agriculture, services, and a growing entrepreneurial economy.
Uganda salary insights:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=223&loctype=1
Final Thoughts
While these countries rank highest for average monthly salaries in Black Africa, income inequality and cost of living challenges remain across the continent. Average salary data gives useful indicators, but it does not fully capture economic reality. Many workers still earn far below these averages, and minimum wages vary significantly.
Still, the rankings highlight where workers are most likely to earn more, based on current economic performance, workforce demand, and salary reports.