Famous People from Africa: Most influential African personalities

Updated on May 23, 2026  ·  By Terry Sheeroh

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

Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka age and date of birth
People born on 18 Mar 1965 are 61 years old
Born on 18 Mar 1965

South African singer famous for her songs such as Umqombothi (African Beer), I'm Burning Up, Motherland, Thank You Mr. DJ

Sanaipei Tande
Sanaipei Tande age and date of birth
People born on 22 Mar 1985 are 41 years old
Born on 22 Mar 1985

Kenyan singer, actress and radio personality famous for her songs Mdaka Mdakiwa, Amina, Najuta and Niwe Wako

Liz Benson
Liz Benson age and date of birth
People born on 5 Apr 1966 are 60 years old
Born on 5 Apr 1966

Nigerian actress, pastor and TV personality who starred in Nollywood fims and TV shows from the age of 5

Otile Brown
Otile Brown age and date of birth
People born on 21 Mar 1994 are 32 years old
Born on 21 Mar 1994

Kenyan R&B singer, songwriter, guitarist known for hit music like Alivyonipendanga, and relationship with Vera Sidika

Steve Biko
Steve Biko age and date of birth
18 Dec 1946 - 12 Sep 1977
Died aged 30
South African anti-apartheid activist, African nationalist and socialist
Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji age and date of birth
People born on 3 May 1979 are 47 years old
Born on 3 May 1979

Nigerian actress who has starred in over 200 Nollywood movies & winner of Africa Movie Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005

Ramsey Nouah
Ramsey Nouah age and date of birth
People born on 19 Dec 1970 are 55 years old
Born on 19 Dec 1970

Nigerian actor and director known as Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010 in The Figurine

Brenda Wairimu
Brenda Wairimu age and date of birth
People born on 3 May 1989 are 37 years old
Born on 3 May 1989
Kenyan actress and model who is known as Lulu Mali in the soap opera Mali and also starred in Pan-African drama Shuga
F. W. de Klerk
F. W. de Klerk age and date of birth
18 Mar 1936 - 11 Nov 2021
Died aged 85

Final state president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994, whose government dismantled the apartheid system

Aliou Cissé
Aliou Cissé age and date of birth
People born on 24 Mar 1976 are 50 years old
Born on 24 Mar 1976

Senegalese football coach, former player, former Senegal manager, former captain of the Senegal national team

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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 Terry

Terry Sheeroh, owner and editor at Famousand.com

Terry Sheeroh, Owner, editor at Birthdays & biographies

Terry has been writing about celebrities and famous people for over 5 years. In addition, she has many years of experience in the beauty and fashion business. She is the founder of this website and is a huge fan of trending entertainment and celebrity news, rumors and celebrity gossip, and latest celeb stories.