Top 20 richest pastors in Africa and their respective net worth
Gone are the days when preachers lived humble lives with almost nothing to show for it. The reverse is the case today as pastors now live largely. The richest pastors in Africa have run their ministries and churches for decades to reach the wealthy status they enjoy today. With their followers' support, they have established businesses that afford them the good lifestyle they enjoy.
Source: UGC
Many rich pastors in Africa come from West Africa and South Africa. Besides their preaching assignments, many have personal businesses to generate more funds to finance their ministry work, live comfortably, and be a blessing to many others. Consequently, they do not necessarily have to depend on their members for survival.
| Ranking | Name | Net worth | Church | Country |
| 1 | Alph Lukau | $1 billion | Alleluia Ministries International | South Africa |
| 2 | Bishop David Oyedepo | $200 million | Living Faith Church Worldwide | Nigeria |
| 3 | Prophet Shepherd Bushiri | $150 million | Enlightened Christian Gathering | Malawi |
| 4 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | $130 million | Redeemed Christian Church of God | Nigeria |
| 5 | Rev Chris Oyakhilome | $70 million | Believer's Loveworld International | Nigeria |
| 6 | Uerbert Angel | $60 million | Good News Church | Zimbabwe |
| 7 | Pastor Paul Adefarasin | $50 million | House on the Rock | Nigeria |
| 8 | Tshifinwa Irene | $42 million | Divine Truth World Restoration Services | Zimbabwe |
| 9 | David Ibiyeomie | $41 million | Salvation Ministries | Nigeria |
| 10 | Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor | $32 million | Word of Life Bible Church | Nigeria |
| 11 | Sam Adeyemi | $30 million | Daystar Christian Center | Nigeria |
| 12 | Ray McCauley | $29 million | Rhema Bible Church | South Africa |
| 13 | Paul Enenche | $25 million | Dunamis International Gospel Center | Nigeria |
| 14 | Prophet T.B. Joshua | $15 million | The Synagogue, Church of All Nations | Nigeria |
| 15 | Pastor Chris Okotie | $12 million | Household of God Church International | Nigeria |
| 16 | Apostle Johnson Suleman | $10.5 million | Omega Fire International Miniseries | Nigeria |
| 17 | Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo | $10 million | Kingsway International Christian Centre | Nigeria |
| 18 | Pastor Lazarus Muoka | $8 million | The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement | Nigeria |
| 19 | Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams | $6.9 million | Action Chapel International ministry | Ghana |
| 20 | Apostle Kwadwo Safo | $6.5 million | Kristo Asafo Christ Reform Church | Ghana |
20 richest pastors in Africa 2022
Thanks to televangelism, the so-called wealthy pastors reach wider audiences simultaneously, earning them thousands of Christians who follow their preachings on TV and online platforms. The following are 20 rich pastors in Africa you should know:
1. Alph Lukau - $1 billion
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Alph Lukau
- Date of birth: 25 October 1975
- Age: 47 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: South African
- Ministry: Alleluia Ministries International
This man of God is the General Overseer of Alleluia Ministries International, a gospel denomination in South Africa founded in 2002. So, who is the richest pastor in Africa? It is Alph Lukau, considering his estimated net worth of $1 billion.
Pastor Alph Lukau has convinced his large congregation in different African countries that he can heal the sick and raise the dead like his lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. However, the controversies generated by these claims have not hindered the increase in his flock and wealth.
2. Bishop David Oyedepo - $200 million
Source: Instagram
- Full name: David Olaniyi Oyedepo
- Date of birth: 27 September 1954
- Age: 68 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Living Faith Church Worldwide
Bishop David Oyedepo is one of the top richest pastors in Africa. He is the founder and President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel. In addition, he is the presiding bishop of the megachurch, Faith Tabernacle, in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
The 68-year-old Nigerian preacher studied at Kwara State University, Malete, AIT Café, and has a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii. He founded the Living Faith Church in 1981 after receiving a mandate from God through an 18-hour vision in the same year.
David Oyedepo owns two leading Nigerian private universities: Covenant University and Landmark University, and serves as a chancellor in both universities. Moreover, he has four private jets, commercial buildings, and other properties in Nigeria and abroad. He currently boasts a net worth estimated at $200 million.
3. Prophet Shepherd Bushiri -$150 million
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Shepherd Bushiri
- Known as: Major 1
- Date of birth: 20 February 1983
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Malawian
- Ministry: Enlightened Christian Gathering
Shepherd Bushiri is the founder and leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering, a Christian non-denominational evangelical church. The 39-year-old Malawian-born preacher currently lives in South Africa. He has created many other churches in Ghana, Malawi, Ghana, South Sudan, South Africa, and other African nations.
Who is the rich pastor in South Africa? After Alph Lukau, it is Pastor Bushiri. He has a global investment company, Shepherd Bushiri Investments, located in Sandton near Johannesburg. His business involves mining, real estate, an airline, and other commercial initiatives. Interestingly, he reportedly has an estimated net worth of $150 million.
4. Pastor Enoch Adeboye -$130 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Enoch Adejare Adeboye
- Date of birth: 2 March 1942
- Age: 80 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Redeemed Christian Church of God
Enoch Adeboye is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, Nigeria. He had his education at UNILAG and Obafemi Awolowo University, both in Nigeria. Yet, even with the wealth, he has amassed over the years, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, popularly known by his followers as Daddy GO, continues to show humility while preaching in the ministry.
The 80-year-old Nigerian pastor was ordained as a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1977 and became General Overseer of the church four years later. His churches and properties include Redeemers University and Dove TV, a digital satellite TV broadcasting company.
5. Rev Chris Oyakhilome - $70 million
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Chris Oyakhilome
- Date of birth: 7 December 1963
- Age: 58 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Believer's Loveworld International
Rev Chris Oyakhilome is the founder and President of LoveWorld Incorporated. Born on 7 December 1963 in Edo State, Nigeria, Chris Oyakhilome is one of the richest pastors in Africa with megachurches. His church is also known as Christ Embassy.
Besides running his church, the preacher takes care of his businesses and other ventures, including a private jet, LoveWorld television stations that air locally and internationally, LoveWorld Publications, and LoveWorld Records. Today, Rev Chris boasts an estimated net worth of $70 million.
6. Uerbert Angel - $60 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Uerbert Angel
- Date of birth: 6 September 1978
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Zimbabwean
- Ministry: Good News Church
Uerbert Angel was born in Zimbabwe, though he currently resides in the United Kingdom. The 44-year-old preacher is the founder of Spirit Embassy, a Pentecostal ministry in the UK. Uebert founded this church in 2007 and later changed the name to Good News Church. Besides preaching, Uebert also runs several businesses in Zimbabwe and the UK.
His lifestyle allows him to fly in choppers when preaching the word of God. The pastor's source of wealth ranges from commercial properties, cars, investments, and other enterprises. He has heavily invested in real estate, making him one of the youngest and richest pastors in Africa, with a net worth of $60 million.
7. Pastor Paul Adefarasin - $50 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Paul Adeolu Adefarasin
- Date of birth: 1963
- Age: 59 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: House on the Rock
The man of God is the General Overseer and senior pastor of House on the Rock, established in 1994. The church is now one of the biggest in Nigeria and Africa, with a majestic headquarters in Lekki, Lagos State.
The man is rich enough to buy several luxurious automobiles but has continuously declined his members' requests to purchase a private jet for him. His net worth is estimated at $50 million.
8. Tshifinwa Irene - $42 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Tshifinwa Irene
- Date of death: October 2017
- Nationality: Zimbabwean
- Ministry: Divine Truth World Restoration Services
Pastor Irene is one of the richest female pastors in Africa. Although late, her net worth was around $42 million. She is the founding member and ruling pastor of Divine Truth World Restoration Services for World Peace by Jesus Christ.
Pastor Irene worked for Standard Bank of South Africa from 1990 to 2001. In late 2001, she left her employment at a financial institution to launch her church in South Africa. Her ministry ranks among the largest in South Africa and attains a global audience through a DSTV channel.
9. David Ibiyeomie - $41 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: David Ibiyeomie
- Date of birth: 21 October 1962
- Age: 60 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Salvation Ministries
If the saying "like father like son" is applicable in the ministry, this preacher and his spiritual father, Bishop David Oyedepo, are typical examples. He founded Salvation Ministries in 1997 and has grown the church's congregation into hundreds of thousands.
Like his spiritual father, this man of God enjoys the land's fruit and has numerous cars and houses around the country to show for it. According to the Buzz Nigeria website, the pastor is worth about $41 million.
10. Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor - $32 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor
- Marital status: Married
- Spouse: Helen Oritsejafor
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Word of Life Bible Church
He was popularly referred to as Papa Ortisejafor, the pastor who founded Word of Life Bible Church headquartered in Nigeria. He once served as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) sometime in the past.
He already knew his career path was to tread in the footsteps of his lord and saviour. But, unlike Jesus, who went about in leather sandals and skin bags, Papa goes around the world to spread the gospel with his private jet and exotic cars.
11. Sam Adeyemi - $30 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Sam Adeyemi
- Date of birth: 3 February 1967
- Age: 55 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Daystar Christian Center
Sam Adeyemi is the senior pastor and General Overseer of Daystar Christian Center. He is also a mentor and teacher to several youths and guides them through the path to success. He is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
12. Ray McCauley - $29 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Ray McCauley
- Date of birth: 1 October 1949
- Age: 73 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: South African
- Ministry: Rhema Bible Church
Ray McCauley is a religious leader, businessman, and senior pastor of Rhema Bible Church. The 73-year-old is also the President of the International Federation of Christian Churches and co-chairs the National Interfaith Council of South Africa. Ray McCauley went for training before building his church. He started his service in the ministry in the late 1970s.
Ray McCauley's church boasts about 50,000 members, including the rich and elite in South Africa. In addition, the former champion and bodybuilder owns several properties and businesses across South Africa. He has also authored several books and owns a TV station, Rhema Television (RTV). Consequently, he is worth about $29 million.
13. Paul Enenche - $29 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Paul Enenche
- Date of birth: 4 June 1968
- Age: 54 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Dunamis International Gospel Center
He is the founder of Dunamis International Gospel Center, and his wife, Becky, has been with him since 1996. The couple were medical doctors, and his church auditorium is one of the most significant and majestic worldwide.
He generously gives back to society through his charity works that provide relief and aid to internally displaced people in Nigeria.
14. Prophet T.B. Joshua - $29 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Temitope Balogun Joshua
- Date of birth: 12 June 1963
- Date of death: 5 June 2021
- Age: 57 years (at the time of death)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: The Synagogue, Church of All Nations
Temitope Balogun is one of the most powerful pastors in Africa. Joshua, also known as T.B Joshua, is a popular and wealthy African pastor. Despite his death, he had a net worth of $15 million. He established the Church of All Nations Synagogue.
His church further owns the well-known broadcasting company Emmanuel TV. T.B Joshua is widely regarded as YouTube's most famous pastor, with his videos receiving over 39 million views. His congregation is also a popular tourist destination, drawing large numbers of religious believers from all over Africa to his Lagos headquarters in search of miracles and wonders.
15. Pastor Chris Okotie - $12 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie
- Date of birth: 16 June 1958
- Age: 64 years (old as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Household of God Church International
Pastor Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie is a famous Nigerian televangelist and the Household of God Church International Ministries pastor. He has been the senior pastor at the church since 1987. Interestingly, Chris Okotie had a short political stint and competed for an elective post.
He contested for the 2003 presidential ticket and lost to Olusegun Obasanjo. His source of wealth includes proceeds and donations brought by members of his church, properties he owns in Nigeria, and the sale of Christian publications he has authored.
16. Apostle Johnson Suleman - $10.5 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Johnson Suleman
- Date of birth: 24 March 1971
- Age: 51 years old (2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Omega Fire International Miniseries
This preacher is the founder of one of the newest gospel denominations in Nigeria. Omega Fire International Miniseries was established in 2014. The man who is the senior pastor is one of the most controversial preachers in the country and is not scared of calling out the Nigerian leaders for bad governance.
Apostle Johnson Suleman is not just a preacher; he is a businessman, and his investments span real estate, oil and gas, airline, and financial sectors. In addition, he is the proud owner of three private jets, among other exotic automobiles. According to the Buzz Nigeria website, his net worth is about $10.5 million.
17. Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo - $6-10 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Mathew Ashimolowo
- Date of birth: 17 March 1952
- Age: 70 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: Kingsway International Christian Centre
Kingsway International Christian Centre is owned and led by Matthew Ashimolowo (KICC). This congregation has locations in London, Maryland, and Nigeria, Nigeria. He became a full-time pastor in 1991 after transforming from Islam to Christianity at 20.
His congregation has become one of the biggest in the UK, with approximately 12,000 people attending every Sunday. Pastor Ashimolowo is estimated to have a net worth of $6-10 million, with his church's assets totalling more than $40 million.
18. Pastor Lazarus Muoka - $8 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Lazarus Muoka
- Marital status: Married
- Spouse: Joy Muoka
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ministry: The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement
The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement was founded and is led by Pastor Lazarus Muoka. He began his ministry with just a few participants in 1994 and has since cultivated his church to become one of the biggest in Nigeria and Africa.
He has a net worth of around $8 million. Pastor Lazarus Muoka's wealth is primarily derived from his believers, the private businesses he owns, and book sales.
19. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams - $6.9 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Nicholas Duncan Williams
- Date of birth: 12 May 1957
- Age: 65 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Ghanian
- Ministry: Action Chapel International ministry
Nicholas Duncan-Williams is the presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International ministry in Accra, Ghana. The 63-year-old Charismatic pioneer chose the path of salvation in 1978 after tragically losing his three fingers.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams was on the list of the richest pastors in Ghana in 2020 and 2021, having founded and run more than 100 churches in his home country and across Africa. His love for affluence can be seen through his fancy suits, jewellery, and the high-end life he lives. The Ghanaian preacher owns a jet, a mansion, and other properties across Ghana.
20. Apostle Kwadwo Safo - $6.5 million
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Kwadwo Safo
- Date of birth: 26 August 1948)
- Age:74 years old (as of 2022)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Ministry: Kristo Asafo Christ Reform Church
Kwadow Safo established the Kristo Asafo, Christ Reformed Church, which started as a holy group in the late 1960s. On 3 February 1971, he transformed it into a congregation in Accra, Ghana. His church has over 130 locations in Ghana and around the world. He was a welder for the Volta Aluminium Company for three years. His net worth is alleged to be $6.5 million.
FAQs
- Which is the biggest church in Africa? Deeper Life Bible Church is currently ranked first among Africa's largest churches. It has over 65,000 weekly attendees and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Who is the wealthiest pastor in the world? Pastor Alph Lukau is the country's wealthiest pastor, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion derived from his church, contributions, and financial assets.
- Who will be the richest pastor in Nigeria in 2022? Bishop David Oyedepo is Nigeria's wealthiest pastor, with a net worth of around $200 million.
- Do pastors pay taxes? Whether you are a pastor who works as an employee or even a self-employed individual, all of your income, along with wages and offerings, is subject to taxation.
- Who is the popular pastor in Ghana? Prophet Dr Kofi Oduro is the founding father and church leader of Alabaster International Ministries.
- What is the most popular type of church? With 1.345 billion followers, Catholicism is the biggest branch of the Christian faith, and the Catholic Church is the highest among churches.
- What is the true religion according to the Bible? True religion is a dedication to God accompanied by kindness and love for one's fellow brethren and unworldliness.
These are some of the richest pastors in Africa. They have spent decades running their ministries and churches to achieve today's wealth. They have established businesses that allow them to live the good life they enjoy, thanks to the support of their followers.
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