Annual Ranking of the 100 Most Influential Africans Released
The annual ranking of the 100 most influential Africans was published on December 19 by the New African Magazine. This list highlights leaders, innovators, and thinkers who have made significant contributions to the African continent and the world in 2025.
Influence Beyond Official Titles
Influence here goes beyond official titles, focusing on individuals whose work transforms entire sectors - from finance to technology, culture, politics, and social activism.
Seven Key Categories
The ranking categorizes these 100 personalities into seven key areas, each representing a strategic domain of African development:
- Business and Finance: 21 personalities
- Creatives: 19 personalities
- Thought Leaders and Opinion Shapers: 15 personalities
- Public Service: 15 personalities
- Sports: 13 personalities
- Social Change Actors: 9 personalities
- Technology: 8 personalities
Trends and Insights
One of the major trends in the 2025 edition is the rise of the business and technology sectors, with a strong representation of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in artificial intelligence. The official list represents 32 African countries, with personalities from a wide range of socio-economic contexts. Among these countries, Nigeria is the most represented with 21 personalities, followed by South Africa (10), Kenya (7), Ghana (7), and Tunisia (5). This geographical diversity reflects regional dynamics in Africa, where leadership hubs are emerging on different axes - whether technological hubs in East Africa, financial centers in South Africa, or cultural centers in West Africa.
Focus on Tunisians in the Ranking
Tunisia stands out with five personalities in the ranking, a performance that places the country in the top 5 of the most represented nations:
- Hazem Ben Gacem - Investor and co-founder of BlueFive Capital.
- Lotfi Karoui - Financier and Managing Director at PIMCO.
- Semia Gharbi - Internationally recognized environmental activist.
- Myriam Ben Salah - Art curator and artistic director.
- Fadhel Kaboub - Economist and global policy advisor.
Their presence illustrates how Tunisia positions itself as a key player in various fields, from global finance to social activism and culture.
