The African continent has a rich blend of diverse cultures and landscapes, yet a persistent cankerworm of corruption eats away at its economy, hindering the progress and prosperity of its people.
Why do many corrupt African leaders get away with their crimes? It all boils down to the power they wield and the loyalty they get from their local and international beneficiaries.
You know that corruption permeates most African countries, but have you ever wondered who the very worst leaders in African history are?
Let’s delve into the stories of these 10 notorious figures as we explore the tales of their damaging greed and the devastating blow it has dealt to their countries. No. 2 will leave you shaken to the bone!
1. Mobutu Sese Seko Of Zaire (Now Known As The Democratic Republic Of Congo)
Mobutu reportedly embezzled so much money that he had multiple lavish palaces with airstrips to accommodate the private jets used for his shopping trips in Paris.
You cannot mention corrupt African leaders without him being on the list. It was so blatant that the term ‘Kleptocracy’ was often used to describe his government and because of this, many refer to him as the godfather of corruption.
When he got into power, Mobutu Sese Seko renamed both the country Zaire and himself. From 1965 to 1997, the people faced extreme poverty, while Mobutu allegedly siphoned the country’s foreign aid and revenue generated from mineral resources.
He also funded his extravagant lifestyle with the country’s wealth, purchasing a yacht, private jets, a fleet of luxury vehicles, and lavish residences for himself. One of these grand mansions is located in his hometown Gbadolite and was referred to as ‘Versailles of the Jungle’.
2. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea)
During his tenure, the country’s oil became a major source of wealth for Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo.
From 1979 till now, he has reportedly amassed a jaw-dropping fortune of over $600 million, ranking him not only as one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state but also one of the richest.
His Son nicknamed Teodorín, who serves as the Vice President, also lives a lavish lifestyle owning extravagant belongings including a $30 million Malibu mansion, a Micheal Jackson memorabilia collection, a fleet of luxury cars, and a private jet.
You’ll be shocked to hear that a recent 2025 report by Spanish authorities has revealed that Obiang has allegedly maintained a special repression fund. This fund, allegedly managed since 2005, has been dedicated to the assassination and silencing of political opponents residing in Europe, which exposes more of President Teodoro Obiang’s use of the State’s resources for personal benefit.
3. Sani Abacha (Nigeria)
General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998 with an iron fist, silencing those who dared expose him.
Sani Abacha allegedly orchestrated blatant embezzlement schemes and was even said to systematically remove funds from the Central Bank for his enrichment.
During his lifetime, he was allegedly involved in international money laundering and channeled stolen funds to foreign accounts. Efforts have been continuously made to recover the looted funds he stashed away in an estimated 130 offshore bank accounts.
He died suddenly in 1998 under mysterious circumstances and reportedly deprived the country of funds that could have been invested in the development of critical infrastructure.
4. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos (Angola)
Angola is Africa’s second-largest oil-producing nation. José diverted the revenue from oil sales to his accounts.
His rule spanned nearly 40 years from 1979 to 2017 and was marked by significant corruption.
His daughter Isabel Dos Santos was declared the first African female billionaire by Forbes. This wealth has been alleged to be obtained through corrupt government contracts granted by her father.
There was a massive wealth gap and while Eduardo Dos Santos and his family spent lavishly, the majority of Angolans lived on less than $2 a day.
He allegedly exploited the State’s assets and resources, particularly oil and diamond revenues. An estimated $24 to $32 billion was misappropriated and tagged missing oil revenue during his tenure which led to significant economic decline.
5. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017 and until 2000, the country was known as ‘the breadbasket of Africa’ because of its fertile land.
He initiated controversial land reform policies that involved giving a large percentage of Zimbabwe’s arable land to government loyalists instead of experienced farmers. This led to food shortages, economic decline, and hyperinflation.
His wife Grace Mugabe went on several reckless shopping sprees earning her the name Gucci Grace. He reportedly spent $1 million on his birthday parties while Zimbabweans suffered food shortages.
For almost 4 decades, he allegedly manipulated the elections to remain in power. His tendencies to oppress the opposition also stifled the democratic process as he continued to plunder the wealth of the nation and leave about 90% of the population unemployed.
6. Paul Biya (Cameroon)
At 92, Paul Biya is the oldest and Africa’s longest-serving head of State.
His administration is marked by a lack of financial transparency. It is noteworthy that the President has never declared his assets even though it is mandated by the 1996 constitution.
He is known for his extravagantly lavish trips abroad, particularly Switzerland. Most of his private travels, which often extend for long periods, are funded by the Government’s resources which are meant for infrastructure.
He has allegedly splurged over $40 million on months-long vacations spent in luxury hotels while hospitals in Cameroon lack the necessities.
Under his leadership, Cameroon’s natural resources have been exploited as the revenues generated from them often disappear without accountability.
7. Omar Bongo Ondinmba (Gabon)
Omar Bongo was Gabon’s president from 1967 until he died in 2009.
He was known for misappropriation of public funds primarily oil wealth. He exploited the country’s resources and engaged in corrupt dealings with oil companies resident in Gabon.
The Bongo family was allegedly heavily involved in money laundering and embezzlement. The family’s net worth was estimated at €85 million, money which was used to invest in luxury apartments in Paris raising suspicions among French authorities.
After his death, his son, Ali Bongo, continued in his father’s corrupt footsteps until he was ousted in a 2023 military coup that ended his family’s 55-year rule.
8. Charles Taylor (Liberia)
Do you know that Liberia remains one of the poorest countries across the globe mainly due to its history of incessant corruption?
During his presidency from 1997 to 2003, he reportedly exploited Liberia’s abundant timber and diamonds for his gain. He also made deals with foreign companies that directly benefited him.
He allegedly supported a rebel group in Sierra Leone notorious for brutal practices and was infamous for his war crimes including the conscription of child soldiers and mass killings in exchange for “blood diamonds”.
9. Idi Amin (Uganda)
You would remember Idi Amin’s name because he was not only a corrupt leader but a dictator who terrorized his citizens and led with fear.
His regime, which lasted from 1971 to 1979 was characterized by widespread corruption and extrajudicial killings of hundreds of thousands to enforce his authority and maintain power.
Idi Amin and his inner circle stole from the natural treasury and were involved in illegal trade, smuggling coffee, gold, and ivory for personal gain.
He expelled the Asian community and seized their businesses, leading to the crumbling of several sectors.
10. Omar al-Bashir (Sudan)
Omar did not just steal Susan’s oil wealth but also allegedly kept part of it stacked in his palace.
In 2019, when he was overthrown, $130 million was found stacked in his mansion in different currencies like U.S dollars, Euros, and Sudanese Pounds currencies.
He is one of Africa’s most brutal leaders known for his war crimes, genocide, bribery, money laundering, and blatant lack of recognition of human rights.
While the citizens remained impoverished, he reportedly took billions of dollars generated from oil revenue.
He is the first sitting president to be indicted for genocide and is still being wanted by the International Criminal Court for his crimes against humanity.
Corruption still thrives even now in Africa. The question is who is Africa’s current most corrupt leader? Let’s discuss that in the comments.
CONCLUSION
Some of the African leaders mentioned on this list are either dead or out of power, but there are still many more corrupt leaders who are currently in power. Who do you think is Africa’s most corrupt leader in power?
With the jaw-dropping and shocking depth of corruption perpetuated by some African leaders, it begs the question, can Africa ever be set free from the grip of corruption? The fact is only the citizens can decide. If they resist this corrupt leadership and demand accountability from their rulers, then things can change for the better.
Now, it’s your turn. In your opinion, who ranks worst on the list of the top ten most corrupt African leaders? Let’s hear from you in the comment section.