Ever wondered which leagues in Africa paid the biggest and most lucrative cash price at the end of every season?
Usually, football enthusiasts often see top-flight leagues in Europe as the most lucrative in the world in terms of cash prices and incentives.
But here in Africa, we’ve got some competitive leagues that aren’t doing badly in terms of cash prices, after South Africa’s Premier Soccer League announced an increase in prize money to its champions.
1. Betway Premiership – (South Africa, .133m)
The South African Premier League also known as Betway Premiership is one of Africa’s most competitive leagues, with a total of 16 teams competing to win the prestigious league every season.
Before this season South Africa’s top-flight was paying R15 million to its league winner following a deal with DSTV which later increased to R20 million.
The 2024-25 season sees a change in sponsorship after the PSL signed a three-year deal with one of the world-renowned betting firm Betway, pushing the cash prize to a juicy $1.133m which will trickle down to all the sixteen competing teams.
2. Botola Pro Inwi – (Morocco, 8,000)
The Moroccan top-flight league ‘Botola Pro Inwi’ is the second highest earning African league with its winners taking home a whooping $598,000.
The Moroccan league have over the years produced different winners, due to the high-level competition clubs which gave birth to Wydad AC as the champions of the league in 2021-22, AS FAR Rabat in 2022-23 and Raja Casablanca in 2023-24.
The 2024-25 season has also taken after the previous campaigns with the level of competition between the teams vying to win the league at the end of the season.
3. Egyptian Premier League – (Egypt, 0,000)
The Egyptian Premier League completes the top three highest-paying leagues in Africa with a whooping $500,000 as take-home for its winner.
A total of 18 teams often compete for the title every season, but over the years Al-Ahly has been the undisputed champion of the Egyptian league dominating with 44 titles.
Zamalek, the second most successful in the Egyptian league and Ismaily have also tasted success winning the league 14 and 3 times respectively.
4. Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle – (Tunisia, 0,000)
The Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle is another North African country in fourth position on the list of Africa’s biggest earning leagues with $300,000.
Esperance, Club Africain and Etoile de Sahel are the three biggest competitors in the league who compete regularly with over 55 titles among them.
Though the league isn’t ranked first as the highest paying in Africa, it’s definitely one of the best and most lucrative among all of the leagues on the continent.
5. Tanzania Ligi Kuu Bara – (Tanzania, 6,000)
Tanzania’s Ligi Kuu Bara ranked fifth in Africa with a total of $236,000 being pocketed by the winner of the league thanks to the lucrative deals the league is enjoying.
Unlike other leagues that have 20 teams competing in their league, Tanzania’s Ligi Kuu Bara only has 16 clubs competing in the league every season with Yanga being the most successful team.
Bitter rivals Simba SC and Wekundu Wa Msimbazi are part of the clubs who have been to give Yanga a run for their money in terms of winning Tanzania’s Ligi Kuu Bara titles.
Honorable Mention
- Ethiopian Premier League – (Ethiopia, $192,400)
- Nigeria Premier Football League – (Nigeria, $119,268)
- Algerian Ligue 1 – (Algeria, $100,000)
- Cameroon Elite One – (Cameroon, $82,000)
- Botswana Premier League – (Botswana, $54,630)
