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South Africa’s Premier Soccer League recently announced an increase in prize money to its champions starting this season but which African league pays the most to its winners?
The PSL, the company that runs South Africa’s top flight the Premier Soccer League, announced an increased prize money for title winners this week.
This follows the signing of a R900m (Ksh6.6 billion) three-year sponsorship deal with betting firm Betway just before the start of the 2024-25 season which will see all the 16 participating clubs also reap more.
South Africa’s top flight was paying R15 million to its league winners until last season following a deal with DStv but the amount is set to increase to R20 million from this season.
Following the increase, Pulse Sports looks at where it ranks on the continent and which African leagues pay the most.
South Africa’s PSL: R20 million (Ksh147.6 million)
South Africa is at the top of the tree with the PSL, now known as Betway Premiership, earning the highest amount on the continent.
Even before the increase from R15 million (Ksh110.7 million) to R20 million (Ksh147.6 million), the PSL was still the highest earning league in Africa with perennial champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the last seven titles, claiming the prizes.
Sundowns are facing stiff competition this season from Orlando Pirates, who have won all seven league games, and there are R20 million reasons to fight for the title.
Morocco’s Botola Pro: $603,000 (Ksh78.2 million)
Morocco’s top flight Botolo Pro is the second highest earning African league with winners taking home $603,000 (Ksh78.2 million).
Unlike in South Africa where one team has dominated, the Moroccan league is highly competitive and has changed hands three times in the last three years.
Wydad AC won it in 2021-22 before AS FAR Rabat claimed the 2022-23 crown and Raja Casablanca pipped them by one point to the 2023-24 title. The three are now facing stiff competition from RS Berkane who are top after 10 games with a two-point cushion and with a match at hand.
Egyptian Premier League: $500,000 (Ksh64.9 million)
The Egyptian Premier League completes the top three highest paying leagues in Africa with $500,000 (Ksh64.9 million) going to its winners.
Al Ahly are the undisputed kings of Egyptian football with 44 league titles, a massive 30 more than the second-best team in the country Zamalek, and have won the last two league crowns.
The Cairo Red Devils had claimed seven straight from 2005-2011, before Zamalek broke that dominance, but they have since returned to the top.
Tunisia League 1: $300,000 (Ksh39 million)
Tunisia is the other North African country in the top four with league winners in the top division earning $300,000 (Ksh39 million).
Esperance du Tunis are the biggest team in Tunisia, having claimed 33 titles, 20 more than Club Africain, the second most successful team.
To show their dominance, Esperance have won seven of the last eight titles, including last season’s, with the exception of the 2022-23 campaign when Etoile du Sahel broke their dominance.
They are currently fourth on the log, some four points behind leaders Esperance Sportive de Zarzis after eight games, but few will bet against them defending their title.
Tanzania NBC Premier League: $250,000 (Ksh32.4 million)
Tanzania’s NBC Premier League make up the top five highest paying African leagues with winners pocketing $250,000 (Ksh32.4 million) thanks to the big sponsorship deals the league enjoys.
Yanga are the most successful team in the country with 30 league titles, eight more than bitter rivals Simba SC, and they have stayed true to that by winning the last three, having ended Wekundu wa Msimbazi’s four-year run from 2018 to 2021.
However, Simba, under South African coach Fadlu Davids, appear to be on the up this season, sitting second, four points ahead of Yanga, after 10 matches.
Ethiopian Premier League: $200,000 (Ksh26 million)
Ethiopia are the second East African country on the list with a prize money of $200,000 (Ksh26 million) going to the Premier League winners.
CBE were the surprise winners of the league last season but St George, who had won in 2022 and 2023, are the kings in Ethiopia with 31 league titles, 20 more than Mechal.
Nigeria’s NPFL: $160,000 (Ksh21 million)
Nigeria’s Professional Football League (NPFL) completes the list of the seven highest paying African leagues with winners taking home $160,000 (Ksh21 million).
Enyimba and Enugu Rangers are the two most successful clubs, the former on nine titles, just one more than the latter.
The title has changed hands between them in the last two years, Rangers being current champions after wrestling it from Enyimba, but they are facing competition from Remo Stars this season.
Remo Stars are top on 21 points from 10 matches, three more than Enyimba and six ahead of Rangers.
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