Africa’s creative abilities once again take center stage in New African magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Africans (MIA). This list honors 100 Africans whose lives and works have profoundly impacted both domestic and international affairs. Readers in Africa, the US, and Europe eagerly anticipate and discuss the yearly listing, which appears in this year’s Christmas (December/January) issue of the longest-running and most widely read pan-African periodical in English. An entry in the MIA listing is regarded as Africa’s highest recognition of accomplishment.
Although several names on the list have previously appeared, the list’s editor, Anver Versi, notes that 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.” Nevertheless, a new and fascinating generation of up-and-comers is making their names known in the listings.
The ranking for this year, like previous rankings, shows the shifting emphasis and objectives on the continent. Africa’s entrepreneurs, innovators, social and environmental activists, scientists, and opinion shapers make a strong comeback into the ranks as normal life starts to reestablish itself following the Covid devastation.
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African writers, singers, actors, designers, editors, journalists, chefs, and even Tiktokers continue to top the list with 26 entries as the continent’s creative talent pool continues to flow freely. Today, there is no denying their contribution to altering the African narrative.
Some, like the Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o and the UK Vogue editor Edward Enninful, have achieved international fame and stardom and are changing both their fields of endeavor and how the world currently perceives Africa. In addition to dominating the worldwide music landscape, entertainers like Burna Boy are reshaping other genres of music to an Afrobeat beat. The world can’t get enough of the distinctive African style that Africa’s best-selling authors and designers are developing.
The French-Algerian football player Karim Benzema joins other legendary athletes like Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Kenya’s Eluid Kipchoge in the world of sports. They have become role models for the youngsters of this young continent, and their effect extends beyond athletics.
Most of the African entrepreneurs and leaders that made the list have influence that goes beyond their typical sphere of influence and has regional and international repercussions. Prof. Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank, is a prime example because of the innovative ways in which he approaches money. Cutting-edge technology involves a lot of other people.
In the section of leaders, among others, Kenya’s new President William Ruto is seated next to Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, who is indispensible year in and year out, and Sierra Leone’s Maada Bio, who made the audacious choice to devote more than 20% of his nation’s budget to education.
In his introduction to the listing, the Editor of New African magazine, Anver Versi, says that in addition to the many easily recognized names, “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, some are beavering away in laboratories or obscure sites – their influence is understated and yet fundamental to our progress.”
The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2022 in numbers
Categories:
Creatives 26, Entrepreneurs 21, Opinion Shapers 16, Leaders 15, Changemakers 12, Sports 10.
Gender
62 male, 38 female
By Country
Nigeria 28, South Africa 11, Kenya 9, Cameroon 5, Ghana 5, Senegal 4, Zimbabwe 4, Morocco 3, Tunisia 3, Zambia 3, Algeria 2, Côte d’Ivoire 2, Ethiopia 2, Mali 2, Rwanda 2, Sierra Leone 2, Somalia 2, Uganda 2, Botswana 1, Burkina Faso 1, Burundi 1, Congo 1, Egypt 1, Guinea-Bissau 1, Madagascar 1, Mozambique 1, Togo 1
Total, 27 nationalities were represented.
By Languages
Anglophone 67, Francophone 18, Arabic 9, Lusophone 2, Amharic 2, Somali 2
Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, Bineta Diop, special envoy of the African Union, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, and Francesca Chiejina, one of the rising stars of opera, are among the notable individuals profiled and interviewed in the Dec./Jan. issue.
About New African
The English language monthly has continually provided an African perspective on international news since it began publication in 1966. It is an important publication for businesspeople, professionals, and anyone interested in Africa. Every time Africa is mentioned, people examine New African, which is available in more than 100 nations. The best-selling magazine in Africa and the foremost commentator on African politics.