The 2023 listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans has been released by New African magazine and several Nigerians and other Africans who have displayed excellence, innovation, leadership, resilience, and vision in their spheres of career made it to the list. 

According to New African Magazine, the list is described as one that celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors that have contributed positively to the growth and development of the continent and the world.

The list features a group of diverse and inspiring men and women from politicians, entrepreneurs, industrialists, environmentalists, creatives, scientists, educators, sports personalities and so much more, as it demonstrates the shifting trends and priorities in Africa.

The list is categorized into different sections including politics, business, science and academia, environmental, creative, media, and sports.  Included in the creatives category with 31 representatives are Nigerian Grammy award winners, Burna Boy and Temz. A-list Nigerian football player, Victor Osimhen is included in the sports section.

Notably, under the politics and public service are the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization. According to New African Magazine, President Bola Tinubu and William Ruto, the President of Kenya were the only heads of state who made it to the list. 

Also, business mogul and industrialist, the founder and chairman of Dangote Group was listed under the business category. Other Nigerians listed were, Olugbenga Agboola, and Shola Akinlade. New African Magazine reported that Nigeria was the country with the most representation on the list, highlighting the country’s dominance in the creative and business sectors. 

However, Nigerians are not the only nationalities listed. Included under creatives are Ghanaian writer Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, South African DJ Black Coffee, Algerian disc jockey DJ Snake, and Ethiopian-born Canadian megastar The Weekend.

In the media category, media leaders from Cote d’Ivoire, Fabrice Sawegnon, founder of communications agency Voodoo, and Daniel Ahaoussa, serial entrepreneur and founder of several websites in West and Central Africa are included. Also, the BBC journalist Alan Kasujja, and founder of Daily Maverick, Branko Brkic from South Africa.

And in Sports, the Kenyan world record breakers Faith Kipyegon and Kelvin Kiptum, and Patrice Motsepe, the President of CAF, and an increasingly influential voice in sports are also included.

The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023 is a special edition of New African magazine, which offers a comprehensive and insightful overview of the lives and achievements of the selected individuals. The magazine also provides a platform for the readers to learn from their stories, and to be inspired by their examples.

Full list of the 100 Most Influential Africans 2023:

Politics and Public Service

1. William Ruto
2. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
3. Sidi Ould Tah
4. Akinwumi Adesina
5. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
6. Bola Tinubu
7. Mamady Doumbouya
8. Ousmane Sonko
9. Nadia Fettah Alaoui
10. Tsitsi Masiyiwa
11. Tidjane Thiam

Business

1. Mohamed Kande
2. Sim Tshabalala
3. Karim Beguir
4. Didier Acouetey
5. Olugbenga Agboola
6. Samaila Zubairu
7. Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah
8. Ralph Mupita
9. Ibrahim Sagna
10. Simon Tiemtoré
11. Jules Ngankam
12. Riham ElGizy
13. André de Ruyter
14. Aliko Dangote
15. Ham Serunjogi
16. Serge Ekué
17. Bahija Jallal
18. Coura Sène
19. Bernard Koné Dossongui
20. Hassanein Hiridjee
21. Shola Akinlade
22. James Mwangi
23. Pascal Agboyibor

Science and Academia

1. Anna Adeola Makanju
2. Chao Tayiana Maina
3. Nemat Talaat Shafik
4. Ismahane Elouafi
5. Moungi Bawendi
6. Timnit Gebru

Environmental

1. James Irungu Mwangi
2. Ephraim Mwepya Shitima
3. Wanjira Mathai
4. Rashid Sumaila
5. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
6. Dr Musonda Mumba

Creative

1. Kaouther Ben Hania
2. Danai Gurira
3. Ncuti Gatwa
4. Black Coffee
5. Tyla Laura Seethal
6. Temilade “Tems” Openiyi
7. Lesley Lokko
8. Mulenga Kapwepwe
9. Alice Diop
10. Wanuri Kahiu
11. Bassem Youssef
12. Malenga Mulendema
13. Jadesola Osiberu
14. Editi Effiong
15. Ali Said Alamin Mandhry
16. Abel “The Weekend” Tesfaye
17. Pretty Yende
18. Julie Mehretu
19. Pierre Thiam
20. Teju Cole
21. Thebe Magugu
22. David Diop
23. Burna Boy
24. Serge Attukwei Clottey
25. Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
26. Aïda Muluneh
27. Omoyemi Akerele
28. Mariam Issoufou Kamara
29. Victor Ekpuk
30. DJ Snake
31. Gandhi “Maitre Gims” Djuna

Media

1. Claude Grunitzky
2. Chioma Nnadi
3. Edward Enninful
4. Alan Kasujja
5. Wode Maya
6. Anton Harber
7. Khabane “Khaby” Lame
8. Charity Ekezie
9. Moses “Uncle Mo” Kiboneka
10. Branko Brkic
11. Tomiwa Aladekomo
12. Marie Mbullu
13. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
14. Daniel Ahaoussa
15. Fabrice Sawegnon

Sports

1. Francis Ngannou
2. Faith Kipyegon
3. The Springboks, led by captain Siya Kolisi
4. Patrice Motsepe
5. Kelvin Kiptum
6. Victor Osmihen
7. Biniam Girmay
8. Yassine Bounou