Africa boasts several dozen national leagues, with clubs competing to clinch prestigious league trophies at the end of each season.
In addition to the trophies, league winners take home prize money for being declared champions.
African football leagues may not be as prestigious as other top leagues worldwide. However, several nations are leading the way, especially regarding the prize money offered to winners.
Below is a look at the top African football leagues with the best prize money.
1. The South African Premier Soccer League – $803,000
The South African Premier Soccer League, also known as the South African Premier Division or the DSTV Premiership, is the highest men’s professional soccer league in South Africa.
It has been operational since 1996 and is one of the top leagues in Africa in terms of development and sponsorship. The league features 16 teams, with Mamelodi Sundowns being the current champions.
The South African League also boasts one of the best prize monies in Africa. It has a prize pot of R30.55 million (approximately $1.64 million) shared amongst the top five teams.
The club that is crowned champion gets a lucrative prize of R15 million (approx. $803,000).
2. Moroccan Batola Pro 1 – $596,000
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Batola Pro 1 is the Moroccan tier 1 league for men’s football clubs. The league is sponsored by SNRT, Morocco’s national public broadcaster. It features 16 teams, with AS FAR FC being the current champions.
The Batola Pro 1 is among the African football leagues with the best prize money. As of the 2023/24 season, the champions will receive 6,000,000 Moroccan Dirham (approx. $596,000).
3. Egyptian Premier League – around $500,000
The Egyptian Premier League, also known as the Nile League, is Egypt’s premier division of association football.
Formed in 1948, it features 18 clubs, with the current champions being Al Ahly, who have been crowned champions for a record 43 times.
The Egyptian league prize money is $500,000. The league champions also compete in the Egyptian Super Cup for a chance to win an additional prize of $250,000.
4. The Tanzania Mainland Premier League – $240,000
The Tanzania Mainland Premier League is the first division in the Tanzanian football league system.
The league, founded in 1921, is currently sponsored by Azam TV. It features 16 teams, with the Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga) being the current champion.
The Tanzanian Premier League is one of the best prize money leagues in Africa. As of 2023, the league champions walk away with a prize money of 600 million Tanzania shillings (approx. $240,000).
5. Ethiopian Premier League – $195,000
The Ethiopian Premier League (BetKing Ethiopian Premier League) is the highest-ranking football league in the Ethiopian men’s football system.
The league was established in 1991 and is sponsored by SuperSport. It features 16 teams competing for the top spot each season, with Saint George being the current champion.
The League has one of the highest prize purses in Africa, thanks to a lucrative deal with SuperSport. The league champions receive around 10.9 million Ethiopian Birr (approx. $195,000).
6. The Nigerian Premier Football League – $190,000
The Nigerian Premier Football League is the level 1 division in the Nigerian Football League System.
Propel Sports Africa sponsors it and features 20 teams, with Enyimba FC being the current champions.
In the past, the Nigerian Football League has undergone many financial woes that have almost paralyzed club football.
However, as of the 2023/24 season, it is one of the top African football leagues with the best prize money.
In the past season, the champions received 100 million Naira (approx. $127,000), but the 2023/24 season will see the prize money increased to 150 million Naira (approx. $190,000).
7. The Tunisian Professional League 1 – $300,000
The Tunisian Professional League 1 is the premier league in the Tunisian football system. It was established in 1907 when Tunisia was still part of the French protectorate.
The current league features 14 football teams, with ES Sahel being the reining champions.
The Tunisian Professional League 1 has not revealed much information regarding the prize money.
However, it is one of Africa’s most lucrative football leagues, with a market value of around €76 million. The league’s current prize money is estimated to be around $300,000.
8. Algerian Premier League
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The Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, also known as Ligue 1, is the premier domestic league of Algerian football.
It was formed in 1962, right after Algeria became independent. The league, sponsored by EPTV, features 16 teams, with CR Belouizdad being the current champion.
The Algerian Ligue 1 is one of the most prestigious leagues in Africa, with a total market value of around €89.33 million. The prize money for the Algerian league is estimated to be around $100,000.
9. Cameroon’s MTN Elite One – $166,000
The MTN Elite One is the premier division of the Cameroonian football league system.
The league, sponsored by MTN, features 19 teams, with the current champions being Coton Sports FC, who have been crowned winners a record 18 times.
As of 2023, MTN Elite One Champions walk away with a prize money of 50 million FCFA (approximately $83,000).
However, in the 2023/24 season, the winners will receive an additional 50 million FCFA for qualifying for the African Champions League, bringing the total prize to around $166,000.
10. Botswana Premier League – $55,000
The Botswana Premier League is another one of the top football leagues in Africa. It was formed in 1978, replacing the colonial-era Bechuanaland Union African Soccer League.
The league features 16 teams, with Jwaneng Galaxy FC being the current league champions.
Botswana Premier League is another one of the most lucrative leagues with the highest prize money in Africa.
It has a prize money pot of 4.6 million Pula (approx. $400,000) divided between all 16 teams. The League’s champions walk away with a prize of 750,000 Pula (approx. $55,000).
Unfortunately, African football is still developing and has yet to reach the levels of these top leagues.
Nonetheless, several nations have made strides, and the above are some of the top African football leagues with the best prize money.
Do you think African leagues should pay the winners more? Let us know in the comments below.
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