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
Senegalese retired footballer who played for EPL clubs Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers
Kenyan R&B singer, songwriter, guitarist known for hit music like Alivyonipendanga, and relationship with Vera Sidika
Nigerian retired footballer who played as a striker for Nigeria and in La Liga clubs such as Getafe, Villarreal, Málaga
Nigerian actress who has starred in over 200 Nollywood movies & winner of Africa Movie Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005
Ex-wife of former South African president Jacob Zuma, politician, medical doctor and former anti-apartheid activist
Nigerian footballer who has played for Chelsea, Spartak Moscow and Luton Town
Nigerian actress and businesswoman whose films include Nigerian crime thriller The Herd (2025), Beast of Two Worlds (2024)
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.
Share this!