A process for preparing a 
cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst includes introducing a soluble modifying component precursor of the formula Mc(OR)x, where Mc is a modifying component selected from the group comprising Si, Ti, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mn, Ba, Ni, Na, K, Ca, Sn, Cr, Fe, Li, Tl, Sr, Ga, Sb, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ge, U, Nb, Ta, W or La, R is an 
alkyl or 
acyl group, and x is an integer having a value of from 1 to 5, onto and / or into a 
cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst precursor, which comprises a porous pre-shaped 
catalyst support supporting 
cobalt in an oxidized form. The 
resultant modified cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst precursor is reduced to obtain a cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst.