In recent years, Africa has emerged as a powerhouse of athletic talent, with young athletes not only excelling in their respective sports but also achieving remarkable financial success.
From football fields to athletic tracks, these young stars are breaking barriers and setting new standards, becoming millionaires at an astonishingly young age.
Their journeys are not just about personal achievement; they represent a broader narrative of hope and inspiration for millions across the continent.
In this article, WoK explores the stories of Africa’s youngest millionaire athletes, highlighting their paths to success.
1. Letsile Tebogo
Tebogo has had an exceptionally successful 2024 season, during which he secured a gold medal in the 200m at the Olympics, guided Team Botswana to a silver medal in the 4x400m relay, and achieved five victories in the Diamond League, including setting a world record in the 300m.
His Olympic triumph has not only garnered him widespread acclaim but has also resulted in substantial financial rewards from various organizations and leaders in Botswana, with his earnings surpassing $250,000 (Ksh 32 million) since winning the Olympic gold.
Additionally, he has been awarded two houses valued at $75,000 (Ksh 9.8 million) each, along with a number of cattle.
From his athletic achievements, he earned $50,000 (Ksh 6.5 million) from World Athletics for his Olympic gold medal and $58,000 (Ksh 7.5 million) from Diamond League competitions, with further earnings from the Grand Prix events in which he participated.
2. Emmanuel Wanyonyi
Wanyonyi has had an exceptional season, culminating in his victory at the Olympics, where he secured a gold medal, as well as winning the Diamond League title and several other competitions.
He also set a new men’s road mile world record at the Adizero: Road to Records 2024, clocking in at 3:54.5 in Herzogenaurach while successfully defending his Kip Keino Classic title.
Although the specific rewards for his record-breaking achievement in Herzogenaurach remain unclear, he was assured a sum of $50,000 (Ksh 6.5 million) from World Athletics for his Olympic gold medal, in addition to a total of $62,000 (Ksh 8 million) earned from his Diamond League victories.
Furthermore, the Kenyan government honored him with Ksh 3 million for his gold medal win in Paris.
3. Faith Cherotich
Cherotich enjoyed an impressive season, culminating in a bronze medal at the Olympics, with her remarkable triumph at the Diamond League final standing out as the pinnacle of her achievements.
She earned $43,000 (Ksh 5.5 million) from the Diamond League, significantly enhanced by her victory in the final, in addition to receiving Ksh 1 million from the government for her Olympic bronze, bringing her total earnings to Ksh 6.5 million.
4. Muzala Samukonga
Samukonga emerged as a prominent figure in the 2024 campaign following his historic achievement of securing a bronze medal in the 400m event at the Paris Olympics.
This marked Zambia’s first Olympic medal in 28 years. In addition to his Olympic success, he also claimed third place at the Diamond League final and achieved two second-place finishes.
From his participation in the Diamond League, he earned a total of $24,000 (Ksh 3 million).
Furthermore, he was a member of the Zambian 4x400m relay team that finished fourth at the World Relays Championships, which earned them an additional $8,000 (Ksh 1 million).
Despite experiencing challenges with the Zambian government regarding the non-payment of his Olympic allowances, he received a pledge of $5,000 (Ksh 645,000) from Micmar Zambia in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment at the Paris 2024 Games.
5. Bernard Biwott
Biwott celebrated his marathon debut by securing a prize of over Ksh 4 million after his triumph at the Frankfurt Marathon last Sunday.
He executed a strategic race to overcome the competition posed by Ethiopian runner Gossa Challa, finishing with a time of 2:05:54 in what marked the inaugural marathon of his career.
The Frankfurt Marathon offers a prize of €30,000 (approximately Ksh 4.2 million) to male winners who complete the race in under 2:06:30, and with his victory, Biwott earned a substantial reward for his efforts.
6. Bayanda Walaza
At just 18 years of age, Bayanda Walaza from South Africa has etched his name in history by becoming the first athlete from his nation to secure an Olympic medal while still attending high school.
Walaza was a member of the South African team that earned a silver medal in the 4x100m relay, competing alongside Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine.
Although he did not participate in the race, he was also part of Team South Africa that achieved gold in the 4x100m at the World Relay Championships.
He concluded an extraordinary year by winning both the 100m and 200m events at the World U20 Championships.
For their Olympic achievement, the relay team received R75,000 (approximately Ksh 5.5 million), and $40,000 (around Ksh 5.1 million) for their gold medal at the World Relays, with additional earnings from his U20 victories yet to be disclosed.
