Nairobi, Kenya – July 23, 2025
President William Ruto has been ranked the 4th richest president in Africa and 10th richest head of state globally, according to a newly released global wealth report by the Institute for Policy and Leadership Transparency (IPLT).
The report, which analyzed assets, investments, and declared wealth of sitting presidents worldwide, estimates Ruto’s net worth at $980 million — a figure attributed to long-standing business interests, land holdings, and stakes in agricultural and telecommunications ventures.
Ruto trails behind Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ($1.2 billion), Morocco’s King Mohammed VI ($5.7 billion), and Cameroon’s Paul Biya ($1.1 billion) in the African rankings. Globally, he joins the list with world leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The report stirred heated debate in Kenya, with critics questioning the sources of the president’s wealth given the nation’s economic struggles. However, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed the speculation, stating that “Dr. Ruto’s success is a product of smart investments over decades.”
Kenyan citizens reacted with mixed emotions on social media, with some hailing the achievement as a sign of “African prosperity” and others calling for more financial transparency from top leaders.
The report also emphasized the need for asset declarations and public audits of sitting leaders, noting a growing concern globally over the widening wealth gap between presidents and their citizens.
As of this writing, State House is yet to issue an official statement regarding the report’s findings.
Top 10 richest presidents in Africa (2025 est.):
1. Mohammed VI (Morocco) – $5.8B
2. Bola Tinubu (Nigeria) – $4B
3. Teodoro Obiang (Eq. Guinea) – $600M
4. William Ruto (Kenya) – $500M
5. Cyril Ramaphosa (S. Africa) – $450M
6. Paul Kagame (Rwanda) – $400M
7. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Egypt) – $300M
8. Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe) – $250M
9. Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana) – $200M
10. Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast) – $150M
Top 25 in world (est., incl. leaders/monarchs):
1. Vladimir Putin (Russia) – $200B
2. Hassanal Bolkiah (Brunei) – $30B
3. Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia) – $25B
4. Mohammed bin Zayed (UAE) – $20B
5. Kim Jong Un (N. Korea) – $5B
6. Donald Trump (USA) – $4.9B
7. Xi Jinping (China) – $1.2B
8. Sheikh Tamim (Qatar) – $2B
9. Mohammed VI (Morocco) – $5.8B
10. William Ruto (Kenya) – $500M
11-25: Incl. leaders like Tinubu ($4B), Obiang ($600M), etc., down to ~$100M (varies by source; estimates disputed). Sources: Forbes, CEO Today, diverse reports.
