New African magazine on Friday released its annual list of the 100 Most Influential Africans, which included people who have made positive impacts on the continent and globally.
The Guardian reports that the list comprised persons from 29 nationalities, with Nigeria the most represented country while Kenya followed in second place.
Editor Anver Versi described the list as a “large family get-together,” embodying the Ubuntu philosophy of “I am because we are.”
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He said, “I had never thought of our 100 Most Influential Africans (MIA) feature in quite that way but now I think our friend has really nailed it and given it a special African flavour, the Ubuntu motto – I am because we are. We need this because I cannot recall the world being so polarised, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.”
This year’s list also reflects the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate action. The Science and Academia section features several African experts working in AI. Abeba Birhane’s research exposed racist and misogynistic biases in large-scale image datasets used to develop AI systems. Rediet Abebe and Joy Buolamwini are also recognised for addressing ethical concerns and inherent biases in AI algorithms.
Climate change leaders are also prominently featured. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong of Senegal is included for his role as executive director of the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. Michael Kakande is recognized for his climate justice advocacy and work facilitating African youth participation in global climate discussions.
The Business section of the list highlights the significant role of Development Financial Institutions in 2024. Featured individuals include Dr. Sidi Ould Tah (Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa), Samaila Zubairu (Africa Finance Corporation), Thierno-Habib Hann (Shelter Afrique), Akinwumi Adesina and Hassatou Diop N’Sele (African Development Bank), Prof. Benedict Oramah (African Export-Import Bank), Alain Ebobissé (Africa50), and Manuel Moses (African Trade & Investment Development Insurance).
The Sports category pays tribute to African Olympic medalists. Letsile Tebogo of Botswana is recognised for winning the country’s first gold medal in the 200m. Sifan Hassan is celebrated for her historic achievement of winning medals in the 5K, 10K, and Marathon (Olympic Record) events at the same games. Imane Khelif’s boxing gold medal is highlighted as a victory against both athletic competition and racial prejudice.
The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 issue of New African provides detailed profiles and portraits of these individuals. New African, published since 1966, offers an African perspective on international news and is distributed in over 100 countries.
See the full list below:
Politics and Public Service
Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Kemi Badenoch
Muhammad Ali Pate
Claver Gatete
Ali Mohamed
King Mohamed VI
Ronald Lamola
Yemi Osinbajo
Nardos Bekele-Thomas
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
Business
Robins Tchale-Watchou
Fatima Tambajang
Dr Sidi Ould Tah
Samaila Zubairu
Thierno-Habib Hann
Akinwumi Adesina
Tariye Gbadegesin
Adebayo Ogunlesi
Wale Tinubu
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
Prof Benedict Okey Oramah
Moulay Hafid Elalamy
Olugbenga Agboola
Alain Ebobissé
Tunde Olanrewaju
Nassef Sawiris
Aliko Dangote
Ismael Belkhayat
Hassatou Diop N’sele
Jeremy Awori
Manuel Moses
Hassanein Hiridjee
Rene Awambeng
Civil Society
Joseph Moses Oleshangay
Mohamed Adow
Michael Kakande
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
William Asiko
Eva Omaghomi
Nelson Amenya
Helmy Abouleish
Binaifer Nowrojee
Science & Academia
Elhadj As Sy
Chinasa T. Okolo
Tshilidzi Marwala
Prof Colleen Masimirembwa
Prof Moses Obimbo Madadi
Rediet Abebe
Rachid Guerraoui
Abdoulaye Diabaté
Joy Buolamwini
Abeba Birhane
Opinion Shapers
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Olajide Olatunji
Carlos Lopes
Zain Verjee
John-Allan Namu
Vera Songwe
Nesrine Malik
Tayo Aina
Thebe Ikalafeng
Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
Hannah Ryder
Ayman Mohyeldin
Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
Creative
Zineb Sedira
Rita Mawuena Benissan
Iansmith Mwenda
Idris Elba
Ken Wakia
Adejoké Bakare
Ayra Starr
Selma Feriani
DJ Edu
Eugene Mbugua
Chigozie Obioma
Kamel Daoud
Tesfaye Urgessa
Mehdi Qotbi
DBN Gogo
Yinka Ilori Amina
Lola Shoneyin
Ekow Eshun
Zhong FeiFei
Mati Diop
Hassan Hajjaj
Koyo Kouoh
Mo Harawe
Victoria Kimani
Sports
Patrice Motsepe
Letsile Tebogo
Imane Khelif
Tunde Onakoya
Gelson Fernandes
Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane
Biniam Girmay
Ademola Lookman
Ruth Chepng’etich
Omar Berrada
Sifan Hassan
