Salary Standards Across 54 African Countries: A Practical Employer Guide
How much will this expansion cost?
This question is central to multinationals considering expansion into Africa, and the capacity to estimate costs ahead of time is priceless in these circumstances. This is where understanding salary standards comes in useful.
In this guide, our in-country experts have compiled information such as expected minimum wage and monetary benefits like mandatory bouses across 54 African countries.
The information given in this guide is indicative in nature, and it is advisable to get professional input before making any decisions.
Central Africa
| Country | Minimum wage | Amount in USD | 13th month/14th month bonus |
| Angola | AOA70,000/month (AOA50,000 in microenterprises) | $76.75/month ($54.82 microenterprises) | Mandatory. 13th and 14th months are mandatory; each equals 50% of monthly salary |
| Cameroon |
Private Sector (Non-Agricultural): 60,000 XAF (effective March 2023). Agricultural Sector: 45,000 XAF (effective March 2023). Public Sector/Labour Code Employees: ~43,969 XAF (effective Feb 2024) |
$70.63/month | Not mandatory |
| Central African Republic | 35,000 CFA francs (XAF) per month | $56.22/month | Not mandatory |
| Chad |
Monthly Wage (SMIG): Approximately 60,000 FCFA ($98–$103) for non-agricultural sectors. Hourly Rates: Roughly 303 FCFA for agriculture and 355 FCFA for other sectors. |
$0.49/hour; $0.57/hour | Not mandatory |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | As of January 1, 2026, the DRC’s minimum wage (SMIG) was raised to CDF 21,500 per day. | $2.49/day | Not mandatory |
| Equatorial Guinea | FCFA129,035/month | $208.38/month | Not mandatory |
| Gabon | FCFA150,000/month | $242.24/month | Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
| Republic of Congo | As of 2025, roughly 70,400 XAF for the private sector, while government workers receive approximately 90,000 XAF per month | $2.49/day | Not mandatory |
| Sao Tome & Principe | As of October 1, 2025, the minimum wage in São Tomé and Príncipe for both civil servants and the private sector is STN 3,000.00 per month. | $106.90/month | Not mandatory |
Southern Africa
| Country | Minimum wage | Amount in USD | 13th month |
| Botswana | Sector-specific (hourly/monthly) | From $0.67/hour | Not mandatory |
| Lesotho | Lesotho's minimum wage for 2025/2026 increased by 5% across all sectors, effective from April. New monthly minimums include roughly M2,724–M3,041 for factory workers, M3,226–M5,664 for construction, and M872 for domestic workers. | $104.36/month | No clear statutory or customary information |
| Mozambique | Mozambique's minimum wage is set by sector, ranging from approximately 6,688 MZN per month (approx. $104 USD) in agriculture to over 15,000 MZN ($200+ USD) in mining. | From $77.30/month | Not mandatory (widely viewed by workers as a right) |
| Namibia | Effective 1 January 2025, Namibia implemented a national minimum wage of N$18.00 per hour for most workers, with specific, phased-in rates for agriculture and domestic sectors. | $86.81/month | Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
| South Africa | Effective 1 March 2026, South Africa's national minimum wage (NMW) is set at R30.23 per ordinary hour worked. | $1.53/hour | Not mandatory (commonly expected by employees) |
| Eswatini | As of early 2026, Eswatini has no single national minimum wage; wages are set by sector and job grade, with indicative rates ranging from about SZL 1,453/month for domestic workers to around SZL 2,500/month or more for certain roles. | $79.38/month | No clear statutory or customary information |
| Zambia | As of January 2025, Zambia updated sector-specific minimum wages, setting minimum basic pay at ZMW 3,000 for bus drivers and ZMW 4,000 for truck drivers, while general, domestic, and shop workers remain covered under separate wage orders, with earlier rates starting at around ZMW 1,300 for domestic workers. | From $47.37/month | Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
| Zimbabwe | US$150/month (recommended) | $150/month | Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
Eastern Africa
|
Country |
Minimum wage |
Amount in USD |
13th month |
|
BIF105–160/day |
$0.036–0.054/day |
No clear statutory or customary information |
|
|
DJF35,000/month |
$197.50/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
Eritrea |
ERN360/month (public sector) |
$24/month |
No clear statutory or customary information |
|
ETB420/month (public sector) |
From $3.41/month |
No clear statutory or customary information |
|
|
As of November 1, 2024, Kenya’s minimum wage in major cities varies by job grade, ranging from about KSH16,113 to over KSH 18,263 per month, following a 6% increase for general labourers. |
$0.59/hour |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
Sector-specific. |
From $52.15/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
RWF100/day |
$0.073/day |
Not mandatory |
|
|
Somalia |
No statutory minimum wage |
— |
Not mandatory |
|
Effective January 1, 2026, Tanzania revised its private sector minimum wages across 16 sectors, raising the average minimum wage to TZS 358,322 per month, with sectoral rates ranging from TZS 80,000 to TZS 765,900 per month. |
$0.27/hour |
Not mandatory |
|
|
UGX130,000/month but considered to be outdated. |
$35.57/month |
Not mandatory (common among large companies) |
Northern Africa
|
Country |
Minimum wage |
Amount in USD |
13th month |
|
Algeria has announced an increase in its National Guaranteed Minimum Wage, rising from 20,000 to 24,000 DZD per month (approximately USD 185) effective January 2026. |
$149.92/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of March 1, 2025, Egypt's minimum wage for the private sector is set at EGP 7,000 per month. |
$121.34/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
Libya |
As of January 1, 2025, the national minimum wage in Libya is 1,000 Libyan Dinars (LYD) per month. |
$205.74/month |
Not mandatory |
|
As of January 1, 2026, Morocco’s private sector minimum wage (SMIG) is approximately MAD 3,422.72 per month. |
From $231.12/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
South Sudan |
No statutory minimum wage. |
— |
Not mandatory |
|
Sudan |
SDG3,000/month (civil servants). |
$4.99/month |
No clear statutory or customary information |
|
As of January 1, 2025, Tunisia increased its minimum wage to 528.320 TND per month for a 48-hour work week and 448.238 TND per month for a 40-hour work week. |
From $132.75/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
Western Africa
|
Country |
Minimum wage |
Amount in USD |
13th month |
|
FCFA52,000/month. |
$83.98/month |
Not mandatory (13th and 14th months commonly paid) |
|
|
As of 2024–2025, the statutory monthly minimum wage (SMIG) in Burkina Faso is 45,000 West African CFA francs (XOF) for non-agricultural workers. |
From $72.67/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
Cabo Verde |
As of January 1, 2025, the national minimum wage in Cabo Verde is CVE 17,000 per month for the private sector. |
$144.10/month |
Mandatory |
|
GMD50/day. |
$0.70/day |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of January 1, 2026, Ghana's national daily minimum wage is GHS 21.77. |
$1.14/day |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
GNF550,000/month. |
$64.14/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
GNF550,000/month. |
$95.28/month |
||
|
As of January 1, 2023, Ivory Coast’s minimum wage is set at XOF 75,000 per month for non-agricultural sectors and XOF 39,960 per month for the agricultural sector. |
From $64.53/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
Hourly/day rates. |
— |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of 2025, the national minimum wage in Mali is 40,000 CFA francs (XOF) per month. |
$64.60/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of 2025–2026, the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) in Mauritania is approximately 4,500 MRU per month. |
$134.08/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of October 2025, Niger increased its minimum wage by nearly 40%, raising the SMIG to CFA 42,000 per month. |
$67.83/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
NGN70,000/month. |
$41.97/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
Sector-specific. |
From $0.38/hour |
Not mandatory (common and recommended practice) |
|
|
As of December 2025, Sierra Leone raised its national monthly minimum wage from NLe 800 to NLe 1,200. |
$35.32/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
FCFA52,500/month. |
$84.78/month |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
Indian Ocean
|
Country |
Minimum wage |
Amount in USD |
13th month |
|
KMF55,000/month. |
$118.34/month |
Not mandatory |
|
|
As of March 1, 2024, Madagascar’s minimum wage is about MGA 262,680 per month for the non-agricultural sector and roughly MGA 266,500–268,000 per month for the agricultural sector, based on a 37.5-hour workweek and adjusted for seniority. |
From $0.25 |
Not mandatory (commonly paid by employers) |
|
|
Seychelles |
Effective April 1, 2025, the national minimum wage in Seychelles increases by 7% to SCR 40.95 per hour for standard employment. |
$2.81–3.24/hour |
Mandatory. Equal to basic salary |
|
As of January 1, 2026, the national minimum wage in Mauritius has increased to MUR 17,745 per month for full-time employees. |
From $324.27/month |
Mandatory. Payable before Christmas; pro-rated after 8 months |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is knowing the minimum wage important when expanding into Africa?
Understanding local minimum wage laws is essential for legal compliance, accurate cost planning, and setting competitive salaries that align with local market expectations.
Are minimum wages the same across all African countries?
No, minimum wages vary significantly by country and often by sector, job category, or region, with some countries setting daily or hourly rates instead of monthly wages.
What are the risks of not complying with minimum wage laws in Africa?
Non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, reputational damage, and higher employee turnover, ultimately increasing costs and operational risk for employers.
How can employers manage payroll and compliance more easily when hiring in Africa?
Using an Employer of Record allows businesses to outsource payroll, onboarding, and compliance to local experts, reducing administrative burden and ensuring adherence to local labour laws.
