Gazeti la New African lamtaja JPM kam African of the Year.

New African magazine, one of Africa’s most respected and longstanding magazines, has released its 2016 Most Influential Africans list.


In a break from the past, New African named their ‘Person of the Year’ in Tanzanian President John Magufuli. Having made headlines for a new style of leadership, he is recognised for his efforts to root out corruption and for his principled approach.

This year, the magazine has reached out to a number of respected analysts and experts who have selected their most influential personalities across a variety of fields: politics, civil society, education, business, sports and techpreneurs. As a result there are a number of highly interesting individuals, including some whom could be considered lesser known names and public figures.

The most influential policymakers were selected by former Executive Secretary of the UN-Economic Commission for Africa, Carlos Lopes. In his list are a number of heads of states, notably President Kenyatta of Kenya and President Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, which has been Africa’s best performing economy of the last few years. Among the notable influencers are several women including Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Mauritius’ first female president; Thuli Madonsela, South Africa’s fearless ex- Public Protector; and Cameroonian Economist and IFC Regional Director, Vera Songwe.

The business section edited by McKinsey Partner, commentator and policy adviser, Acha Leke, lists Kenyan Central Bank Governor Patrick Njoroge; Zimbabwean industrialist and telecoms entrepreneur, Strive Masiyiwa; and Rwanda Development Board’s transformational CEO, Francis Gatare among its most influential.

The guest editors for the other sections are as follows: Education: Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership University; Civil Society: Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam; Techpreneurs: Ory Okolloh, Director of Investments at Omidyar Network Africa; Publishing and Literature: Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, co-founder of Cassava Republic Press; and Sports: Osasu Obayiuwana, New African’s Associate Editor and sports journalist.

This year there are 19 Nigerians and 21 South Africans. East Africa registered 23 entries and there are 32 women on the list.

You can read the full list of Africa’s most influential individuals in the December issue of New African magazine, available on newsstands across the globe and digitally via New African. It is also available on Apple and Android app stores.