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 Miriam Makeba, Yemi Alade,Tiwa Savage 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
46 years old
Nigerian actress who has starred in over 200 Nollywood movies & winner of Africa Movie Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005
60 years old
South African singer famous for her songs such as Umqombothi (African Beer), I'm Burning Up, Motherland, Thank You Mr. DJ
Died aged 30
47 years old
40 years old
Kenyan singer, actress and radio personality famous for her songs Mdaka Mdakiwa, Amina, Najuta and Niwe Wako
36 years old
Died aged 85
Final state president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994, whose government dismantled the apartheid system
55 years old
Nigerian actor and director known as Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010 in The Figurine
48 years old
31 years old
Kenyan R&B singer, songwriter, guitarist known for hit music like Alivyonipendanga, and relationship with Vera Sidika
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.
