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New African magazine
released today its annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans of
2023. The list celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans
from various fields and sectors, who have made a positive impact on the
continent and the world. The list features
a diverse and inspiring group of men and women, who have demonstrated
excellence, innovation, leadership, resilience, and vision in their
respective domains. They include politicians, entrepreneurs,
industrialists, environmentalists, creatives, scientists, educators, sports
personalities, and more.
The list also
reflects the shifting trends and priorities in Africa, as the continent
faces new challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic era. Creatives
dominate the ranking with 31 representatives, including singer Abel
Tesfaye, aka The Weekend, filmmaker Alice Diop and
writer Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah.
The second
category with the highest number of entries was the Business section, with
25 entries. The section included two behemoths from DFIs, supporting a
private sector approach to investing: Samaila Zubairu from
Africa Finance Corporation and the President of Afreximbank, Benedict
Oramah, undoubtedly Africa’s juggernaut from the last few years
leading Africa’s transformation. Also on the list is the former CEO of
Eskom and whistleblower who nearly paid with his life André de
Ruyter.
Nigeria was the
country most represented on the list, highlighting the country’s dominance
in the creative sector and business. William Ruto, the President
of Kenya, is the only head of state to make it, along with the Guinean
military leader Mamady Doumbouya. Doumbouya created quite a
stir at this year’s UN General Assembly and appears to have found a
solution around the Simandou mining saga.
With Climate
Change at the top of the agenda, the list features several players in the
environmental space, such as James Mwangi, formerly from
Dalberg Group who has set up his own venture fund investing in climate
related businesses, and Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the Executive
Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
In the media, we
have two media leaders from Côte d’Ivoire, Fabrice Sawegnon,
founder of communications agency Voodoo, and Daniel Ahaoussa,
serial entrepreneur and founder of a number of websites in West and Central
Africa. Also included are the journalist Alan Kasujja, the BBC
journalist, and Branko Brkic, founder of Daily Maverick,
arguably the most powerful media in South Africa today.
And in sports,
record breakers Faith Kipyegon and Kelvin Kiptum make
it, as well as the Springboks team, under the leadership of
their captain Siya Kolisi. Patrice Motsepe, the President of
CAF, a close friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and an increasingly
influential voice in sports, is also included.
The 100 Most
Influential Africans of 2023 is a special edition of New African magazine,
which offers a comprehensive and insightful overview of the lives and
achievements of the selected individuals. The magazine also provides a
platform for the readers to learn from their stories, and to be inspired by
their examples.
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