Africa may be full of democratically governed countries, but it is still the land of many kings. Sure, there are only three African countries with constitutional monarchies - Morocco, Swaziland and Lesotho -- but there are several hundred traditional monarchs dispersed across Africa in urban, semi-urban and rural communities in independent countries. Being a traditional monarch in Africa can be a lucrative affair.
A significant number of these rulers are formally recognized by state institutions and as a consequence, many of them receive generous stipends and allowances from the government. For example, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the traditional King of the Zulu people, South Africa’s largest ethnic tribe, receives an annual allowance of about $6 million to cater to the needs of his royal household.
Many African monarchs also earn a significant income through the goodwill and generosity of their communities. It is not uncommon for wealthy members of a tribe or community to give substantial sums of money, cars, land or houses to their traditional Kings in return for spiritual blessings or unrelated favors. And since these traditional monarchs may wield significant influence in political circles, some of them get invited join boards of large corporations.
Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi (King) of Onitsha, a mid-sized commercial town in Nigeria’s southeastern region, serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of Unilever Nigeria, a large publicly-listed manufacturer of consumer goods, and he previously served as Chairman of Diamond Bank, a leading Nigerian commercial bank.
Some of these rulers control large fortunes. Some have built their fortunes from scratch by starting successful enterprises and shrewdly reinvesting their profits into a diverse range of business concerns.
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Africa's Richest Kings: A Snapshot
Africa's Richest Kings is a ranking of Africa's wealthiest monarchs, compiled and published by the American business magazine, Forbes, in March 2014. The total net worth of each individual on the list is estimated, in United States dollars, based on their assets and accounting for debt.
Here's a glimpse at some of the wealthiest kings in Africa according to Forbes in 2014:
| Rank | Name | Title | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Mohammed VI | King of Morocco | $2 billion |
| 2 | King Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan | Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom | $300 million |
| 3 | King Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II | Ooni of Ife | $150 million |
| 4 | King Mswati III | Ngwenyama of Eswatini | $50 million |
King Mohammed VI of Morocco topped the list with US$2 billion. He derives his fortune from his control of Société Nationale d'Investissement (SNI), a large Moroccan investment holding company with assets valued at more than $10 billion. SNI’s largest asset is a 48% stake in Morocco’s largest bank, Attijariwafa, as well as controlling stakes in mass distribution giant Marjane Holding; mining company Managem Group and mobile telecoms company Inwi. The King also owns a substantial chunk of the world’s phosphate reserves.
Nigerian oil magnate King Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom, came second on the list with $300 million. Oba Akinrutan, who ascended the throne in 2009, is also the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest privately-held oil trading companies. He founded the company in 1981 with a single gas station to meet the needs of his family and neighboring community. OBAT Oil now owns more than 50 gas stations across Nigeria as well as one of the largest tank farms in Africa- a modern storage facility that has the capacity to store 65 million liters of petroleum products.
He surpassed fellow Nigerian King Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife, worth at least $150 million and the Ngwenyama of Eswatini, King Mswati III, who was himself worth at least $50 million. Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, is the traditional King (Ọọ̀ni) of Ile-Ife’, an ancient city located in Osun state in Nigeria’s south-western region. Ile-Ife is generally believed to be the traditional home of the Yoruba civilization. Oba Sijuwade, 84, who ascended the throne in 1980, is also a prosperous businessman. The Ọọ̀ni first cut his teeth in business by working in his father’s trading business as a teenager before going to the United Kingdom to study for a degree in business. He struck out on his own in 1964, when he started WAATECO, an automotive distribution business that imported vehicles and vehicle parts from the Soviet Union to sell in Nigeria. He went on to build the Motel Royal hotel and several residential and commercial properties. He is the founder of the Sijuwade Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in oil & gas, construction, property development and hospitality, which he incorporated in 1975.
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Africa’s last absolute monarch is more well known for his relationships with women (he had at least 15 wives at the last count), and for his flamboyant parties. He turned 46 recently, with his birthday coinciding with the Christian Easter holidays. Not willing to share the spotlight with Jesus, King Mswati postponed his birthday celebrations for five days so that a proper national holiday could be held in his honor. American R&B artist Erykah Badu performed for the King during the expensive celebrations, irking thousands of human right activists. Reason: The poverty rate is escalating - more than 65% of the Swaziland’s population gets by on less than $1.25 a day, while unemployment rates are as high as 40% -- but the King remains unaffected. The King is one of Africa’s wealthiest royals. His personal net worth is at least $50 million, based on the annual $50 million salary that he is paid out of government coffers. He also controls Tibiyo TakaNgwane, an investment holding company that owns stakes in sugar refining giants Ubombo Sugar and Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC), dairy company Parmalat Swaziland, spirits manufacturer Swaziland Beverages and hotel chain Swazi Spa Holdings.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the King of Ghana's gold-rich Ashanti kingdom, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Asantes. He ascended the throne in 1999 and serves as the political and spiritual head of the Asante people. After studying in the United Kingdom, Osei Tutu II worked briefly in private and public organizations in the United Kingdom and Canada before returning to Ghana in 1989 to set up Transpomech Ghana, a $12 million (sales) company that provides mining equipment to several large industrial companies in Ghana.
King Oyo: The Youngest Modern Monarch
Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, commonly known as King Oyo, is the reigning Omukama of Tooro, in Uganda. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru is referred to as the Omukama, which means "King", and Rukirabasaija, which means "the greatest of men". Although he is considered the sovereign leader of the Batooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru's power is limited to cultural duties.
The death of his father King Kaboyo in 1995 meant the crown prince had to assume the role of king during his toddler years. On 12 September 1995, a week after the late king's burial, the rituals to hand over the reins of power to Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru began. He became the youngest modern monarch at just 3 years old.
They included a mock battle at the palace entrance fought between enemy forces of a "rebel" prince and the royal army, and a test of Oyo's divine right to the throne, in which the Omusuuga, (head of the royal clan), called on the gods to strike Oyo dead if he was not of royal blood. The cultural rituals (Emirwa y'Obuhangwa) were followed by a religious ceremony presided over by Eustance Kamanyire of Fort Portal based Ruwenzori.
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Three regents were charged with overseeing King Oyo's growth into the role of King and with handling the cultural affairs of the kingdom during the King's childhood and youth. The late Colonel Muamar Gaddafi, the leader of Libya, was a patron of the Tooro Kingdom with close ties to the royal family. The nine-year-old King Oyo named Gaddafi the "defender" of the kingdom and invited him to attend the sixth coronation anniversary celebrations in 2001.
Education and Personal Life
As a child, aside from his official duties, King Oyo went to school and spent time with friends. However, his status dictated that he attend private school and have a personal security guard at all times. Oyo spent two years in London and attended preschool there. On return to Uganda he attended The Aga Khan Primary school in Kampala. He later on went to Kampala International School Uganda for high school and says he enjoyed art, music, math, and swimming. He later on enrolled for a Degree in Business Management from Winchester University in the United Kingdom.
King Oyo says he remembers very little from that time, but recalls being more interested in playing with other children than running a kingdom - a responsibility he then had little understanding of. School years had their challenges, with King Oyo realising he had bigger responsibilities than his peers and he wasn’t an average student. “Outside of school is probably when I had to be a bit more serious, but when I was at school it was basically an environment that allowed me to be myself because the students around me treated me like any other student, which allowed me to be like them and to also see another side to me as a person - as a king, an individual and a student.
He is also a fan of quad biking and other outdoor activities. But unlike other guys his age, Oyo carries a rare title before his name - King. King of Toro to be precise.
King Oyo says his mother has been his greatest source of support and guidance over the years, showing him how to be a “proper king”. Queen Best remains an important figure in the kingdom. King Oyo Nyimba celebrated 27 years on the throne on Monday 12 Sep 2022 held at Kurizika Palace in Fort Portal, the coronation was attended by Prime Minister Steven Kiyingi and several royalties led by Prince Charles Kamurasi the Uncle to Oyo Omukama, The prayers were led by Religious leaders from Calvary Chapel , during the coronation the queen re-echoed that the king should find a suitable wife or helper who is fit for him as a King during the Coronation Kisembo Reuben congratulated Steven Kiyingi the newly appointed Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister and called out calm and peace among all people of Tooro Kingdom and in his philosophy he believes in dialogue and principle of negotiation for solutions to disagreements.
The Kingdom of Toro and its Challenges
Toro kingdom is located in western Uganda. Tooro, with its capital at Mucwa in Fort Portal City, lies in the mid-western part of present-day Uganda. The people of Tooro, known as the Batooro, comprise at least 3.5 per cent of the 47.5 million people of Uganda (2022 estimate). The Kingdom is ruled by the Babiito dynasty, whose history dates as far back as the 14th century.
Kingdoms in Uganda date back to pre-colonial times. They were effectively shut down in 1966 by the nationalist movement under Milton Obote. But four remained strong: Buganda, Bunyoro-Kitara, Busoga and Toro. As with the other three kingdoms, it was forcefully disbanded in the 1960s by Obote’s regime, before they were completely outlawed by the constitution seven years later. Only once a democratically elected government took power in 1993 were they re-established. While the kingdoms have become re-recognisable by law, they do not enjoy full political sovereignty.
In 1966, the political powers of the traditional leaders were abolished by the nationalist movement led by Milton Obote, who opposed the kings because of their collaboration with British colonial authorities alongside their potential to be divisive forces and thus a threat to the nascent republic. The 1970s and 1980s were characterised by political instability and civil unrest, which led to serious repercussions for the cultural institutions. Many of the leaders like the Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda and Omukama Patrick Kaboyo of Tooro were forced into exile to escape the regime of terror of Idi Amin. It was not until 1986 that President Yoweri Museveni, by an amendment to the constitution in 1993, reinstated the kingdoms.
Queen Best says the goal is to develop the kingdom and attract investors to Toro, with opportunities for investment in healthcare, education, agriculture and food security. Unemployment is a key challenge in the kingdom and Uganda in general, says King Oyo. Uganda has a population of about 39 million, with the majority earning low-income salaries, according to the World Bank. A quarter of its population lives at the national poverty line and life expectancy at birth is 59 years. Youth unemployment is among the highest in Africa, estimated at 62 percent by ActionAid and 83 percent by the African Development Bank.
“It’s straightforward,” he says. His focus is on educating the population and providing them with healthcare that can trim the number of infants and young children dying every year. The kingdom has identified several development projects that require immediate attention. These will help increase cultural awareness among the people of Toro, enhance economic, political and health awareness, generate employment opportunities; and alleviate poverty.
But amongst the poverty and hardship, Toro is a breath-taking region full of green pastures and wildlife and national parks, helping it to become known as the tourism hub of Uganda. “That’s why we are [in the UAE] on a cultural visit because we want to show them what our culture is like and what the kingdom has to offer.
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