Famous People from Africa: Most influential African personalities

Updated on May 23, 2026  ·  By Terry Sheeroh

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

Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma age and date of birth
Born on 12 Apr 1942
84 years old

President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, and president of the African National Congress (ANC) (2007-2017)

Bola Tinubu
Bola Tinubu age and date of birth
Born on 29 Mar 1952
74 years old

16th President of Nigeria since 2023

Romuald Wadagni
Romuald Wadagni age and date of birth
Born on 20 Jun 1976
50 years old

9th president of Benin since April 2026

Patrice Talon
Patrice Talon age and date of birth
Born on 1 May 1958
68 years old

8th president of Benin from 2016 to 2026

Victoria Orenze
Victoria Orenze age and date of birth
Born on 23 Mar 1984
42 years old

Nigerian gospel singer whose famous songs include Alagbada Ina, a collabo with fellow gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey

Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi age and date of birth
8 May 1955 - 20 Aug 2012
Died aged 57

President of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995, and prime minister from 1995 to 2012

Haile Gebrselassie
Haile Gebrselassie age and date of birth
Born on 18 Apr 1973
53 years old

Ethiopian former long-distance athlete, and businessman who won two 10,000 metres Olympic gold medals

Nathaniel Bassey
Nathaniel Bassey age and date of birth
Born on 27 Aug 1981
45 years old

Nigerian singer, pastor who sang the popular songs Imela (meaning Thank You, feat. Enitan Adaba), Onise Iyanu, Olowogbogboro

Hailemariam Desalegn
Hailemariam Desalegn age and date of birth
Born on 19 Jul 1965
61 years old

Prime minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2018

Abiy Ahmed
Abiy Ahmed age and date of birth
Born on 15 Aug 1976
50 years old

Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 2018

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Famous people from Africa
Famous Africans, from left: Famous Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, actress Charlize Theron, comedian Trevor Noah, actress Lupita Nyong’o and football player Mohamed Salah

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.

About Terry

Terry Sheeroh, owner and editor at Famousand.com

Terry Sheeroh, Owner, editor at Birthdays & biographies

Terry has been writing about celebrities and famous people for over 5 years. In addition, she has many years of experience in the beauty and fashion business. She is the founder of this website and is a huge fan of trending entertainment and celebrity news, rumors and celebrity gossip, and latest celeb stories.