Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, and a host of other Nigerians have made it to New African magazine’s 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 list.
The list, released today, December 27, 2024, celebrates Africans who have made contributions in various fields, from politics and business to sports and the creative industries.
This year, Artificial Intelligence and Climate Action emerged as key areas of focus, with African thought leaders and activists at the forefront.
Editor of the magazine, Anver Versi said, “I had never thought of our 100 Most Influential Africans (MIA) feature in quite that way but now I think our friend has really nailed it and given it a special African flavour, the Ubuntu motto – I am because we are. We need this because I cannot recall the world being so polarised, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.”
Ethiopian-born AI expert Rediet Abebe was recognised for her work addressing biases in AI systems, alongside Ethiopian-born researcher Abeba Birhane and Joy Buolamwini.Climate justice also took centre stage, with Michael Kakande leading youth-driven climate movements and Senegalese Ibrahima Cheikh Diong spearheading the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, known for his global advocacy on sustainable development, joins the likes of Senegalese climate leader Ibrahima Cheikh Diong and Kenyan economic reformer Claver Gatete.
In the business category, Aliko Dangote maintained his influence as a global business leader, joined by financial heavyweights Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank, and Olugbenga Agboola of Flutterwave, who continue to revolutionise Africa’s economic landscape.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr and literary icon Lola Shoneyin were celebrated in the creative category.
Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman made the sports category, standing tall alongside Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who claimed gold in the 200m final at the Paris Olympics, and Ethiopian marathon legend Sifan Hassan.
