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, 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 Yemi Alade and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, award-winning authors Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and religious leaders and activists.
Most famous and influential African personalities
Vice-President of Kenya from 2008 to 2013 and leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement
6th President of Botswana since 2024
Kenyan Roman Catholic Church bishop and archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, succeeded by Cardinal John Njue
Swazi woman famous as the mother (Ndlovukati/ Queen Mother) and co-ruler of King Mswati III (real name Makhosetive Dlamini)
President of Mozambique since 15 January, 2025
South African singer famous as the only child of popular singer and anti-apartheid advocate Miriam Makeba
Kenyan cardinal of the Catholic Church, 4th Archbishop of Nairobi (2007 -2021) after the retirement of Archbishop Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki
Daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela and his 2nd wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Nigerian actor, social media influencer, TV producer, businessman who has appeared in many Nollywood films including Steal My Heart (2024)
Nigerian actor famous in Nollywood films where he plays versatile roles in movies such as Twisted Feelings (2023), Perfect Match (2023)
Famous Legends from all the 5 Regions of the continent
There are other countless influential personalities from Africa. The most famous people from Africa have excelled in politics, sports, business, entertainment and history. Moreover, 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.
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