Africa’s Richest Pastors: Combining Faith, Business Success And Hedonism

Many choose the ways of religion, but the few who are ordained to become pastors are likely to be the most influential, reputable, and, of course, rich. Nowadays being a pastor is proven to also be quite the profitable occupation, mostly due to the extremely high number of believers and followers they lead, the worldwide exposure and other profitable endeavors.
This list reviews selected Reverends, Pastors, Prophets and Christian leaders. On one hand, we tried to provide insight on their community work, their spiritual guidance, and their generous contribution to society. On the other hand, we tried to expose the hedonism, Hollywood-like lifestyle, and in some cases, financial corruption that came along with these individual’s success in reaching the heart and soul of communities across Africa.
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Rev. Chris Okotie

An established author, musician, televangelist, and founder of Household of God Church, Chris Okotie is one of Nigeria’s most famous pastors. After several years of attending the University of Nigeria, he decided to quit his studies in pursuit of a music career only to return later and graduated with a law degree and proceeded to attend the Grace Fellowship Bible School, from where he established his own church.

Chris Okotie made some presidential runs as well, but never found successes in the elections. He is a very wealthy man, with a passion for luxury cars. His car fleet includes cars like Range Rover and a Rolls Royce Phantom. His net worth estimation is somewhere between $3-10 million.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo

Matthew Ashimolowo is a pastor in one of the United Kingdom’s largest churches and hosts about 12,000 people every Sunday. Matthew Ashimolowo hosts a daily program named “Winning Ways” on several radio stations and television channels in Europe and Africa. Ashimolowo converted to Christianity from Islam when he was 20 years of age, after the death of his father.

Forbes estimates his net worth to be $6-10 million, and his church owns assets worth more than $40 million. Ashimolowo was subject to an investigation by the Charity Commision of England and Wales. The Commission released an inquiry report stating that Ashimolowo had mismanaged and took advantage of his charity by approving personal payment to himself and to his wife in the sums of $500,000 and purchased himself a $100,000 car with charity funds. He was ordered by the commission to repay around $300,000