South Africa has claimed a spotlight on the highly anticipated annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 shared by the London-based ‘New African’ magazine.
The list celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors who have positively impacted the continent and the world over the past year.
One of New African’s readers likened the Most Influential Africans feature to a ‘large family get-together, where we come together at the end of the year and share their various achievements throughout the year’.
Anver Versi, editor of ‘New African’, commented: “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.”
The 100 Most Influential Africans 2024 are categorised into distinct sectors such as politics, business, civil society, science and academia, opinion shapers, creativity, and sports, showcasing a wide array of talents and contributions.
Politics and Public Service: Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Kemi Badenoch, Muhammad Ali Pate, Claver Gatete, Ali Mohamed, King Mohamed VI, Ronald Lamola (SA), Yemi Osinbajo, Nardos Bekele-Thomas and 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 and Rene Awambeng
Civil Society: Joseph Moses Oleshangay, Mohamed Adow, Michael Kakande, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, William Asiko, Eva Omaghomi, Nelson Amenya, Helmy Abouleish and Binaifer Nowrojee.
Science and Academia: Elhadj As Sy, Chinasa T. Okolo, Tshilidzi Marwala (SA), Prof Colleen Masimirembwa, Prof Moses Obimbo Madadi, Rediet Abebe, Rachid Guerraoui, Abdoulaye Diabaté, Joy Buolamwini and Abeba Birhane.
Creative Arts: 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 (SA), Yinka Ilori Amina, Lola Shoneyin, Ekow Eshun, Zhong FeiFei, Mati Diop, Hassan Hajjaj, Koyo Kouoh, Mo Harawe and Victoria Kimani.
Sports: Patrice Motsepe (SA), Letsile Tebogo, Imane Khelif, Tunde Onakoya, Gelson Fernandes, Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane, Biniam Girmay, Ademola Lookman, Ruth Chepng’etich, Omar Berrada and Sifan Hassan.
Opinion Shapers: Miatta Fahnbulleh, Olajide Olatunji, Carlos Lopes, Zain Verjee, John-Allan Namu, Vera Songwe, Nesrine Malik, Tayo Aina, Thebe Ikalafeng (SA), Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, Hannah Ryder, Ayman Mohyeldin and Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard.
The Star