Depending on who you speak to, the most influential Africans are subject to a lot of relative debate.
However, The New African magazine December edition has always served us with the most objective assessment of who are the 100 Most Influential Africans of the Year.
The New African magazine list is an industry highlight, unveiling Africans who have contributed in shaping the continent’s narrative, as well as those projected to play a role in the coming year or years.
In the words of Zambian born reGina Jane Jere, editor of the New African woman a sister publication of The New African, there’s “One yardstick which we often employ when coming up with the final list is to emphasize that influence is not about popularity and popularity is not always influence.”
The New African is therefore the most respected media publishing the list about influential Africans.
In their December 2018 issue, they feature among others; Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, DR Congo’s Nobel peace prize co-winner Dr Denis Mukwege, Botswana’s 31 year old minister of investment, trade and industry Bogolo Joy Kanewendo and Egypt’s football star Mo Salah. These names headline four different editions which means they stand out. The list tracks Africans in the diaspora and on the continent.
The other notables are Paul Kagame (Rwanda president), Bobi Wine (singer and politician), Aliko Dangote (billionaire), Strive Masiyiwa (billionaire), Caster Semenya (athlete) among others.
The Ugandans who made it to the list are Daniel Kaluuya, an award-winning actor based in UK, and Florence Kasumba an actress, and of course Bobi Wine who the magazine cites as an activist who uses music to campaign for political space.
Nigeria dominated the list (18 entries), alongside Kenya (11) and South Africa (10).
Find New African magazine on the newsstands to access the full list.
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