Some of the most famous African personalities include Nelson Mandela who is famous as the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and the country’s first black president, and Nigerian and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote. Other famous people from Africa include Kenyan 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, 2001 Nobel Prize winner Kofi Annan, marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, and sports legends Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The continent has also produced famous actors and actresses who include Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Lesley-Ann Brandt, and The Mummy star, Arnold Vosloo. Other African legends include musicians Christina Shusho, Burna Boy, WizKid, Davido, Miriam Makeba, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
Most famous and influential African personalities
Died aged 95
2nd president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017, and 1st Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987
48 years old
Ethiopian model, actress and clothing designer who has appeared on cover of Vogue magazine many times
Died aged 91
4th president of Egypt from 1981 to 2011, 41st prime minister from 1981 to 1982
Died aged 90
South African anti-apartheid activist and ANC member who was imprisoned on Robben Island for 25 years
50 years old
Kenyan politician who served as the Governor of Mombasa County from 2013 to 2022
59 years old
Nigerian actor, film-maker, director, producer who stars in Family on Fire (2011), The Legend of Inikpi (2020), Light In The Dark (2019)
66 years old
Nigerian entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and journalist who is the CEO of celebrity magazine Ovation International
Died aged 81
South African nurse and 1st wife of anti-apartheid activist and president Nelson Mandela from 1944 to 1958
43 years old
Footballer from the Ivory Coast famous as a midfielder for Barcelona, Manchester City, and Ivory Coast national team
45 years old
Kenyan reggae and ragga singer whose top hits include Apakatwe, Mikono Juu, and Malaika
Famous people from Africa
Famous Nigerian authors Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as well as Kenyan novelist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o are also among the most famous African celebrities and legends.
There are other countless influential personalities from Africa. Most famous people from Africa have excelled in politics, sports, business, entertainment and history. In addition, these celebrities from Africa span all the main regions of the continent.
These are North Africa, South Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and the six African Island nations of Madagascar, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Comoros, and Sao Tome and Principe.
