Minimum wage represents the lowest amount an employer is legally required to pay workers, either on an hourly or monthly basis. Designed to combat worker exploitation and support low-income families, minimum wage laws are intended to ensure that workers can meet basic needs such as food and water.
That said, the concept of minimum wage is debated. Some argue that it raises living standards, reduces poverty, and benefits the economy by enhancing purchasing power while critics claim that it can increase labour costs, lead to higher prices, and potentially result in job losses.
Minimum wages tend to be higher in developed countries compared to developing countries. Despite the fact that wages in Africa tend to be lower than in the rest of the world, some countries still offer fairly high minimum wages. Here are the ten African countries with the highest minimum wages, as listed on the Wisevoter report.
Seychelles
Seychelles ranks highest in Africa with a minimum wage of approximately $465.40 per month, placing it 38th globally. The minimum wage in Seychelles is determined by the Employment Regulations, 2007. These regulations specify the minimum hourly rate an employer is required to pay their workers. All workers except casual workers are paid SCR 38.27 per hour. Casual workers on the other hand are paid SCR 44.10 per hour.
Libya
Libya’s minimum wage is about $321.83 per month, earning it the 45th spot worldwide. However, this figure varies from sector to region due to Libya’s volatile economic conditions and the informal nature of much of its workforce. Moreover, political instability, inflation and fluctuating oil prices influence these figures. That said workers in the public sector tend to earn more than in the private sector
Morocco
Morocco’s minimum wage is around $314.70 per month, making it 47th globally. The minimum wage for employees in the public sector is higher than that of employees in the private sector. Workers in the agricultural sector have the lowest minimum wage.
Gabon
In Gabon, the minimum wage stands at $270.50 per month, positioning the country 50th in the world. Gabon’s oil wealth allows it to sustain a higher wage compared to many other African nations. Unlike other countries where the minimum wage varies among sectors Gabon has a nationally mandated minimum wage that applies to all workers in the country, regardless of sector or occupation.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea’s oil industry is partly responsible for the country’s high minimum wage which stands at $211.54 per month and ranks 58th globally. It is therefore no surprise that workers in the oil and gas industry in Guinea earn more than those in the service or agricultural sectors. Workers in urban areas are also paid more than those in rural areas.
Algeria
Algeria’s minimum wage is approximately $140.14 per month, placing it 72nd worldwide. Like Guinea, salaries vary among sectors with workers in the oil sector, the backbone of the Algerian economy, receiving higher wages than those in the agricultural or textile sector.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s minimum wage is around $139.46 per month, earning it the 73rd spot globally. The country’s economic policies ensure a reasonable wage floor for its workers. As a matter of fact, the country’s monthly minimum wage for the private sector was increased from CVE13,000.00 per month to CVE15,000.00 per month in January.
Kenya
Kenya’s minimum wage stands at about $130.57 per month, making it 75th in the world. On May 1, President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Labour to raise the minimum wage by at least 6%. He also instructed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to operationalise multiple wage councils provided for in the Labour Relations Act 2007.
“They will negotiate minimum wages in different sectors, enhancing conciliation, mediation and industrial peace,” he said.
Mozambique
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is $113.80 per month, placing it 79th globally. The wage varies from sector to sector with employees in the financial services sector receiving the highest minimum wage. Meanwhile workers in th fishing sector have the lowest minimum wage.
Lesotho
Lesotho rounds out the list with a minimum wage of $109.62 per month, ranking 80th worldwide. People working in skillled professions earn a high minimum wage in Lesotho. That said, the country’s workforce mostly bends towards the informal sector with a majority of people holding low-wage jobs. It is also worth noting that a gender wage hgap exists in Lesotho meaning women tend to earn less than men.
