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
7th and current president of Zambia since 24 August 2021
Died aged 78
8th Prime Minister of Uganda from 1999 to 2011, and academic who was a Professor at Makerere University
Died aged 68
First Prime Minister of Sudan from 1954 and 1956, and president from 1965 until 1969 when he was overthrown
Died aged 75
Third president of Somalia from 1969 to 1991
South African footballer, attacking midfielder for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Orlando Pirates, and the South Africa national team
English-Ghanaian footballer who has played as a midfielder for AFC Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic, and the Ghana national team
Died aged 82
Head of state of Sudan between 1958 and 1964, and the president in 1964
Died aged 43
Controversial Zimbabwean businessman who was involved in government tenders, and faced fraud and money laundering allegations
Kenyan politician who has served as a member of parliament for Embakasi East Constituency in Nairobi County
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.
