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
30 years old
Moroccan-Canadian YouTuber & online streamer famous for gameplay and commentary livestreams on streaming service Twitch
41 years old
Kenyan rapper in the Genge music/ rap genre famous for his hit song Under 18
36 years old
Kenyan gospel singer, worship leader whose hit songs include Subiri with Mercy Masika & Emmy Kosgei, and Waweza, Utukufu
72 years old
South African politician in the African National Congress (ANC) party, and cabinet minister under 4 presidents
69 years old
Kenyan politician who served as the first Governor of Nairobi County from 2013 to 2017
83 years old
Died aged 84
Kenyan author, nurse and politician who served as a member of parliament (MP) and an assistant minister
65 years old
Nigerian singer who is famous for her waka music genre music and is known as Nigeria’s Queen of Waka
39 years old
Kenyan rapper whose hit songs include Wajinga Nyinyi, Adisia, and actor in Kenyan films and TV shows
Died aged 80
Ghanaian diplomat, 7th UN secretary-general from 1997 to 2006, and winner of 2001 Nobel Peace Prize
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.
