Famous People from Africa: Most influential African personalities

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

Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki
15 Nov 1931 - 21 Apr 2022
Died aged 90
3rd President of Kenya (2002 to 2013)
Taribo West
Taribo West
Born on 26 Mar 1974
52 years old

Nigerian former footballer who played as a defender for AC Milan & Inter Milan, and a pastor in Lagos, Nigeria

Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo
Born on 5 Mar 1937
89 years old

President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007

Michael Olunga
Michael Olunga
Born on 26 Mar 1994
32 years old

Kenyan footballer who has played as a striker for Al-Arabi in Qatar Stars League, and Kenya national team Harambee Stars

Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu
Born on 20 Jan 1968
58 years old

Tanzanian lawyer, politician, anti-corruption activist, former Member of Parliament and leader of Tanzania's main opposition party

Wahu
Wahu
Born on 22 Mar 1980
46 years old

Kenyan singer, actress, reality TV personality, and entrepreneur whose top hits include Liar, Sitishiki and Niangalie

Francis Arinze
Francis Arinze
Born on 1 Nov 1932
93 years old
Catholic cardinal from Nigeria
Enoch Adeboye
Enoch Adeboye
Born on 2 Mar 1942
84 years old

Nigerian pastor who is the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God founded in 1952 in Nigeria

Louise Leakey
Louise Leakey
Born on 21 Mar 1972
54 years old

Kenyan paleontologist, anthropologist, researcher on human fossils, daughter of paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey

Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong\'o
Born on 1 Mar 1983
43 years old

Kenyan actress famous as Nakia in MCU superhero films Black Panther (2018) & Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

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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 THE AUTHOR

Terry Sheeroh, owner and editor at Famousand.com

Terry Sheeroh, Owner, editor at Famous birthdays & biographies

Terry is a mom, wife and an entrepreneur who has many years of experience in the beauty and fashion business. She is the founder of this website and also a full-time mother to her two sons, Johnson and Joseph. Terry has a big passion for cooking and trying out new recipes. She enjoys writing, hair-styling, knitting, travelling, and cooking for family and friends.