African proverbs are more than wise sayings—they’re blueprints for life. For centuries, communities across Africa have used these short, powerful phrases to teach lessons about hard work, money, and success, etc., These proverbs still hold truth today. Whether you’re starting a side hustle, investing online, or building a business, these 15 proverbs about money and success will help you avoid mistakes, stay focused, and grow smarter.
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15 African Proverbs About Money and Success
Here are 15 African Proverbs About Money and Success and how to apply them today.
1. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria): “A kì í f’owó tútù kó’ri òkú.”
Translation: “You can’t use a cold hand to lift a corpse.”
Meaning: Success requires passion and effort. A “cold hand” symbolizes laziness or half-hearted effort. You can’t achieve big goals without putting in real work.
Action:
- Start small but stay consistent. Save $1 daily or spend 15 minutes learning a skill.
- Example: If you want to freelance, practice writing or design daily. Momentum builds over time
2. Swahili Proverb (East Africa): “Mwenye kujua haambiwi tembo, hulipa.”
Translation: “A wise person doesn’t just talk about elephants; they pay to see one.”
Meaning: Knowledge is useless without action. Talking about goals won’t make them happen—you must invest time or money.
Action:
- Spend on tools that grow your income: buy a course, hire a coach, or upgrade your laptop.
- Example: A Kenyan blogger invested in SEO training—traffic doubled in 3 months.
3. Akan Proverb (Ghana): “Sɛ wo werɛ fi na wosan kɔ fie.”
Translation: “If your head is correct, your dance steps will be correct.”
Meaning: Your mindset shapes your results. Doubt and fear will trip you up.
Action:
- Replace negative thoughts: Instead of “I can’t afford it,” ask, “How can I earn more?”
- Example: A Ghanaian entrepreneur shifted her mindset, turned a $50 food stall into a catering empire.
4. Zulu Proverb (South Africa): “Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili.”
Translation: “The path is asked from those who’ve walked it.”
Meaning: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Learn from people who’ve already succeeded.
Action:
- Follow mentors in your field. Study their strategies on YouTube or blogs.
- Example: A Nigerian YouTuber copied editing tricks from top creators—gained 10k subscribers faster
5. Hausa Proverb (West Africa): “Kwana ba ta da ruwa ba, sai ta sha.”
Translation: “A day without water makes you thirsty.”
Meaning: Prepare for tough times before they happen.
Action:
- Save 10% of every income. Start a side hustle as a backup.
- Example: A Tanzanian teacher started selling handmade jewelry online—now earns extra $200/month.
6. Ethiopian Proverb: “When spiders unite, they can tie up a lion.”
Meaning: Teamwork beats individual effort. Even small collaborations create big results.
Action:
- Partner with others: Co-host a webinar, split costs for a business ad, or share skills.
- Example: Two Kenyan freelancers teamed up to offer writing + design packages—landed bigger clients.
7. Igbo Proverb (Nigeria): “Ego dị na ọkụ adịghị ekpo ọkụ.”
Translation: “Money in the fire doesn’t burn.”
Meaning: Protect your money. Avoid risky shortcuts.
Action:
- Skip “get rich quick” schemes. Focus on steady income (freelancing, affiliate marketing).
- Example: A Ugandan man lost savings to a fake investment—learned to research opportunities first.
8. Malagasy Proverb (Madagascar): “Slowly, slowly, the bird builds its nest.”
Meaning: Success takes patience. Small steps add up over time.
Action:
- Break big goals into daily tasks.
- Example: Write 500 words/day to finish an ebook in 2 months.
9. Kikuyu Proverb (Kenya): “Mũrutani ndarutagwo.”
Translation: “The one being taught cannot surpass the teacher.”
Meaning: Stay humble. No matter how skilled you are, keep learning.
Action:
- Join free online communities (Facebook groups, Reddit) to ask questions and share knowledge.
10. Wolof Proverb (Senegal): “Benn góor du ànd ak xale.”
Translation: “One finger can’t pick up a grain.”
Meaning: You can’t do everything alone. Delegate tasks to focus on your strengths.
Action:
- Hire a virtual assistant for $5/hour (on Fiverr) to handle admin work while you grow your business.
12. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria): “Ìgbà lọwọ́ ẹni kì í ṣe àtẹ́lẹwọ́.”
Translation: “One’s time of opportunity isn’t another’s.”
Meaning: Don’t wait for “perfect” timing—start where you are.
Action:
- Launch your business idea now, even if it’s basic. Improve as you go
13. Swahili Proverb: “Haraka haraka haina baraka.”
Translation: “Hurry hurry has no blessings.”
Meaning: Rushing leads to burnout or mistakes. Work smarter, not just harder.
Action:
- Use apps like Trello to organize tasks. Take breaks to stay creative.
14. Ghanaian Proverb: “The rich person eats, the poor person watches.”
Meaning: Create value instead of waiting for handouts.
Action:
- Solve problems people pay for: Fix phones, teach a language, or sell homemade snacks.
15. Maasai Proverb (Kenya/Tanzania): “Enkishon e-muny arrashata.”
Translation: “The eye travels farther than the foot.”
Meaning: Plan long-term. Vision keeps you focused when challenges arise.
Apply Today:
- Write down 1-year and 5-year goals. Review them weekly to stay on track.
Final Thoughts on African Proverbs About Money and Success
African wisdom has a special way of speaking straight to the heart. These African Proverbs About Money and Success remind us that true wealth isn’t just about what we have in our pockets, but also about what we do with it, how we treat others, and the legacy we build.
Whether you’re chasing your dreams, growing a business, or just trying to make ends meet, let these African proverbs about money and Success can guide your steps. Like the saying goes, “Wisdom is wealth.” So the more we learn, reflect, and apply these timeless truths, the richer our lives become—not just financially, but in purpose and impact.
Take these proverbs with you. Share them. Live by them. Success, after all, starts with the right mindset—and Africa has been offering that wisdom all along.