We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission when you use one of the links. The company pays us for referral link sharing, which helps us run this blog and give our in-depth content to our readers for free.
New African magazine’s Most Influential Africans is the most eagerly anticipated and talked about annual list of the continent’s bright and best. Anver Versi introduces our selection of the leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, sportspeople, opinion shapers and changemakers who have made a mark on the continent this year.
The New African Most Influential Africans listing has become firmly established as the most authoritative, respected and consulted list on the continent and in the diaspora. Those who appear on this list will no doubt enjoy the adulation that is their due because of their own activities and we hope the stories of the people who have made it onto this list will act as a powerful incentive to others to also want to join them in the future.
Click to view the full list of 100 Most Influential African on our dedicated website.
Some of the names on this year’s list, you will notice, have been here before. It is a tribute to their staying power, that year on year, they do not rest on their laurels but continue with fresh impetus to do more for more people in more areas.
You will also find very many exciting new names as a fresh crop of achievers make their way into the chart. Of course, human achievement and activity respects no calendars and in some cases, the outstanding achievement may straddle adjoining years but cannot be ignored.
Many of those on the list are recognisable names – the political leaders, the sports stars, the actors and actresses, the authors and designers who play their trade in public and are therefore in the eye of the media.
There are many others who are working away diligently and ceaselessly but away from the public eye. Some are making far-reaching changes at the grassroots level, some are beavering away in laboratories or obscure sites – their influence is understated and yet fundamental to our progress.
This year, as in the previous two years, our creatives – the writers of award-winning, bestselling books, the actors and singers who are reshaping the global entertainment world, the chefs who are creating African delicacies for the world, the designers, the journalists, the editors who have crossed over the divide and become truly global – predominate in the listing. These are a symbol of Africa’s growing soft power. The world of Wakanda is alive and kicking. Africa rules!
But examine the listing closely and you will find that Africans are achieving steady and spectacular success in virtually every field of human endeavour. In so many spheres, we are truly leading the world. But while we celebrate our achievers and toasts are raised to the 100 who have made this list, let us not forget those whose journey has been slower and more painful. We must all do all we can in whatever our discipline to help them catch up and enjoy what the modern life has to offer – we should earnestly pledge: no one will be left behind.
We hope you enjoy the read and find their journeys as inspiring as we did.