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 59
3rd president of Zambia from January 2002 to his death in August 2008
Died aged 65
First president of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982, and first Prime Minister from independence in January 1960 to May 1960
56 years old
Kenyan politician who served as first governor of Machakos County from 2013 to 2022
Died aged 69
Kenyan-British palaeoanthropologist and archaeologist who discovered hominin fossils in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, with wife Mary Leakey
46 years old
Nigerian former footballer who played as a centre back for Everton, Norwich City, and Nigeria national team (the Super Eagles)
44 years old
Nigerian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Lille, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the Nigeria national team
52 years old
Moroccan middle-distance runner who ran in the 1500 metres, 2000 metres and mile, and world record holder in the 1500 m
Died aged 83
Second President of Tunisia from 1987 to 2011 when he was overthrown and fled to Saudi Arabia
30 years old
Footballer born in Ivory Coast and has played as a defensive midfielder for Brighton, Spurs, and Mali national team
Died aged 62
South African author and actor who wrote short stories that were published in South African family magazine Drum
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.
