Top 10 Highest-Paid African Women Footballers in 2025

In Summary

• The 2025 list of Africa’s highest-paid women footballers highlights stars like Thembi Kgatlana, Barbra Banda, and Asisat Oshoala, earning between $100,000–$550,000 annually.
• African female players are breaking salary records and securing global endorsement deals in top leagues across Europe, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia.
• Their success stories reflect the rise of women’s football in Africa, proving that African talent can compete and lead on the world stage.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, October 11th— African women football players are currently among the most marketable and well-paid athletes in the world, benefitting greatly from the growth of professional leagues in China, the United States, Europe, and now Saudi Arabia.

A sport that was previously underappreciated and underfunded has turned out to be a lucrative enterprise. Notable figures like Asisat Oshoala, Tabitha Chawinga, Barbra Banda, and Racheal Kundananji are changing the story in everything in different leagues around the world.

These women are breaking pay records, landing big sponsorship agreements, and demonstrating that African talent is on par with the world's top. They have also helped in improving the visibility of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

This article discusses the top 10 highest-paid African women footballers, showcasing their achievements in both club and country, as well as their net worth. Their earnings involve a combination of their base salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and other incentives.

Unlike men's football, where salaries can reach tens of millions, women's earnings in 2025 typically range from $100,000 to $600,000 annually for top players.

10. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria) - Estimated $100,000

Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has made a name for herself as one of Africa's best shot-stoppers. She was born in 2000 and started her career in Nigeria with Rivers Angels before relocating to Paris FC in 2020. She ranked fourth in the world and was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and Yachine Trophy for her outstanding accomplishments, which included penalty saves at the 2023 Women's World Cup. She also played a key role in the Super Falcons’ 2025 WAFCON victory as their first-choice goalkeeper.

Nnadozie took a big step up in June 2025 when she agreed to a four-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League. Nnadozie's expected yearly compensation at Brighton is approximately $100,000, which includes bonuses for team accomplishments and clean sheets. Her net worth is approximately $500,000, bolstered by endorsements from brands like Adidas.

9. Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria) - Estimated $100,000

Nigerian midfielder Jennifer Onyinyechi Echegini, who was born in 2001, is a rising star who is renowned for her energy and versatility. She began her collegiate career at Florida State University in the United States and was named the top collegiate player in 2023, earning the MAC Hermann Trophy, eBay MVP award, and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

While playing for Italian giants Juventus, she was named the Best Young Player in Serie A before her move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2025. She is estimated to earn $100,000 a year at PSG, which includes basic pay and performance bonuses. 

She now joins the ranks of up-and-coming players making competitive salaries in Europe's premier competitions. With endorsements, Echegini's net worth might increase from its current level of $400,000.

8. Ajara Nchout (Cameroon) - Estimated $250,000

The Cameroonian forward, Ajara Nchout Njoya, who was born in 1993, is a veteran with an illustrious career. She started out playing for local clubs before travelling to Europe to play for teams like Valerenga and Inter Milan. In 2023, she joined Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia. She cemented her position in the Saudi Women's Premier League in 2024 by extending her contract until 2026.

Due to the league's enticing pay to raise its popularity, Nchout's anticipated yearly income is $250,000. Including bonuses from her national team and previous club employment, her net worth is approximately $1.5 million.

Nchout has scored spectacular goals at the 2019 World Cup and guided Cameroon to numerous WAFCON finals as captain of the Indomitable Lionesses. Nchout also contributes to the sport by supporting women's football in Cameroon and using her platform to advocate for other players.

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7. Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria) - Estimated $300,000

Born in 1999, Rasheedat Ajibade is the explosive forward and captain of Nigeria. Before agreeing to a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain in August 2025, with a third-year option, she began her career with FC Robo in Nigeria and went on to Avaldsnes in Norway and Atletico Madrid.

Ajibade is one of the highest-paid African women in Europe, with an estimated yearly salary of $300,000 at PSG. With a net worth of almost $800,000, this expensive deal is a reflection of her performance and market value. She won the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 Player of the Tournament award and was the joint top scorer in 2022.

Ajibade has been named an Officer of the Order of the Niger and has won multiple championships with her clubs, including the Copa de la Reina with Atletico Madrid, and the Nigerian national team (WAFCON 2018 and 2024).

6. Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) - Estimated $400,000

Born in 1998, Temwa Chawinga is a forward from Malawi who has dominated the NWSL. She won the MVP and Golden Boot honours when she joined Kansas City Current in 2024 after stints in China and Sweden. She agreed to a three-year extension to 2028 in January 2025. Temwa is the first non-European to be named the world's leading goalscorer in 2023 by the IFFHS with 63 goals.

Chawinga's yearly salary, including bonuses for her prolific scoring, is reported to be $400,000. Her endorsements have increased her net worth to about $1 million.

Temwa, Tabitha's sister, has an inspirational story of rising from Malawi's local leagues to NWSL fame. Her 20 goals in her first season helped Kansas City Current qualify for the playoffs. She proudly represents her national team, Malawi, on the international level. 

5. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) - Estimated $450,000

Born in 1996, Tabitha Chawinga is Malawi's innovative forward and captain. She came from modest beginnings and played in Sweden, China, and Inter Milan before signing a three-year contract with Olympique Lyonnais in July 2024. She is in charge of Lyon's D1 Féminine attack in 2025.

She is one of Lyon's highest-paid players, with an estimated salary of $450,000. Chawinga's $1 million net worth allows her to enjoy the advantages of being famous. 

She won the 2024 Coupe de France MVP award and also earned a regional award as the SADC Women's Player of the Year. Chawinga is the first Malawian to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League and the first African woman to win the Italian Serie A Golden Boot, a record she set in 2023.

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4. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) - Estimated $500,000

Born in 1994, Asisat Oshoala is a Nigerian star and the six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year. After playing for Rivers Angels and Barcelona, where she won two UEFA Women's Champions League titles and five Liga F titles, she joined Bay FC in 2024 and then moved to Al Hilal for a two-year contract in September 2025.

The league's investment in talent has allowed Oshoala to earn an estimated $500,000 at Al Hilal. Including Pepsi and Puma endorsements, her net worth is $3.2 million.

Oshoala's highlights include World Cup achievements and Champions League victories, where she scored more than 100 goals in Europe. Her goalscoring prowess has earned her the 2017 Chinese Women's Super League Golden Boot and the 2021/22 Spanish Primera División Top Scorer award. 

3. Racheal Kundananji (Zambia) - $500,000

Born in 2000, Racheal Kundananji is a striker from Zambia. In 2024, she created history by joining Bay FC for the biggest transfer fee in women's football at $860,000. Ultimately, she is the most expensive female footballer in history. She is a key member of the NWSL expansion team and signed a four-year deal with a fifth-year option. 

Kundananji's contract details indicate that she makes $500,000 a year. Bonuses add value to her projected $2 million net worth.

From the leagues in Kazakhstan and Spain to the NWSL, Kundananji's strength and finishing were impressive at the 2024 Olympics. She facilitated Zambia's entry into important competitions.

2. Barbra Banda (Zambia) - $525,000

Born in 2000, Barbra Banda is a productive attacker and captain for Zambia. She made a near-record $740,000 transfer fee to Orlando Pride in 2024 after dazzling in China. She is an NWSL star thanks to her four-year contract and is the second most expensive female football player in the world. 

With bonuses included, Banda makes about $525,000 a year, making her one of the highest-paid female football stars. She's a member of Africa's elite with a net worth of $1.5 million.

Banda's athleticism is unparalleled, as seen by her hat-tricks at the Olympics and World Cup. She became a worldwide celebrity after overcoming eligibility issues. She is essential to Pride's quest for the crown in 2025. Her achievements include winning the 2024 NWSL championship with the Pride, being named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI, and being a finalist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or Féminin. She is the leading goal scorer in Olympic history on the international level.

1. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) - $550,000

Thembi Kgatlana, a 1996-born South African forward, became the second-highest NWSL transfer in 2023 when she moved to Tigres for $275,000. She signed a three-year contract and has flourished in Liga MX Femenil.

Kgatlana has the highest yearly income of any African woman, at $550,000. Awards and sponsorships have increased her net worth to $2.5 million.

Kgatlana, who won the 2018 African Player of the Year award, guided Banyana to World Cup knockouts and WAFCON glory. She also scored South Africa’s first-ever World Cup goal in 2019. Her ability and speed won her praise from all over the world. She's a scoring superstar in Mexico.

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