Mauritius tops Africa’s minimum wage ranking, Nigeria misses top 10

The value of a country’s minimum wage depends not only on the amount paid in local currency but also on the strength of its currency when converted to the US dollar.

A review by the Nairametrics Research Team, using official minimum wage data and exchange rates as of July 24, 2026, ranked African countries based on the US dollar value of their monthly minimum wages.

Top 10 rankings

10. Botswana – $153.97 per month

Botswana’s benchmark monthly minimum wage is BWP 2,120, equal to $153.97. The rate increased by 23.53% in February 2024. The country does not have a single minimum wage for all workers, as wages vary by sector.

9. Libya – $156.27 per month

Libya’s minimum wage is LYD 1,000 per month, worth $156.27. It was raised from LYD 450, a 122.22% increase, making it the biggest wage increase among the countries reviewed.

8. Cape Verde – $174.79 per month

Cape Verde pays a monthly minimum wage of CVE 17,000, equal to $174.79. The wage increased by 13.33% in January 2025.

7. Algeria – $179.99 per month

Algeria’s minimum wage stands at DZD 24,000 per month, worth $179.99. The new rate took effect in January 2026 after a 20% increase.

6. Tunisia – $187.77 per month

Tunisia’s monthly minimum wage benchmark is TND 555, equal to $187.77. It increased by 5.11% in January 2026. The country has different wage rates depending on working hours and job categories.

5. Equatorial Guinea – $222.00 per month

Equatorial Guinea’s minimum wage is XAF 129,035 per month, worth $222. Although it has not changed since 2019, its value has remained stable because the CFA franc is linked to the euro.

4. Gabon – $258.07 per month

Gabon ranks fourth with a monthly minimum wage of XAF 150,000, equal to $258.07. The wage has remained unchanged since 2010, but the stable CFA franc has helped maintain its value.

3. South Africa – $311.23 per month

South Africa’s minimum wage is officially paid by the hour. When converted to a monthly amount based on a standard work schedule, it equals ZAR 5,239.77 or $311.23. The hourly wage increased by 5% in March 2026.

2. Morocco – $365.55 per month

Morocco’s monthly minimum wage for non agricultural workers is MAD 3,423, equal to $365.55. The wage increased by 12.41% in January 2026.

1. Mauritius – $374.21 per month

Mauritius has the highest minimum wage in Africa, paying MUR 17,745 per month, equal to $374.21. The wage increased by 3.71% in January 2026.

Key findings

The report shows that exchange rates play a major role in determining the value of minimum wages in US dollars. A higher wage in local currency does not always result in a higher ranking.

Mauritius, Morocco and South Africa are the only countries with monthly minimum wages above $300. Libya recorded the biggest percentage increase in wages but still ranked ninth because of its currency value.

The report also noted that minimum wage levels do not always reflect the size of a country’s economy. Smaller economies can rank higher because of stronger currencies and different labour policies.

Nigeria and Ghana

Nigeria and Ghana did not make the top 10.

Nigeria’s minimum wage of N70,000 per month was worth about $51.43.

Ghana’s monthly minimum wage was worth about $50.54.

Both were far below Botswana’s $153.97, the lowest minimum wage among the top 10 countries.