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The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 announced

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4 months ago

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Influential Africans

The list reflects the shifting trends and priorities in Africa, as the continent faces new challenges and opportunities

LONDON, United Kingdom, December 27, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The London-based New African magazine (www.NewAfricanMagazine.com) today released its highly anticipated annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024. 

The list celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors who have made a positive impact on the continent and the world over the past year.

One of New African’s readers likened the Most Influential Africans feature to a ‘large family get-together, where we come together at the end of the year and share their various achievements throughout the year.’

Anver Versi, Editor of New African commented  “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.”

Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change: Africa at the forefront

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominating the technology headlines this year, the Science and Academia section is replete with a number of African experts deeply involved in the subject. 

While the technology can bring numerous opportunities to tackle some of the endemic issues, it is not without its pitfalls. Ethiopian-born, Abeba Birhane, conducted research that revealed how large-scale image datasets commonly used to develop AI systems contained racist and misogynistic labels as well as offensive images. Also addressing the ethical concerns around AI and inherent biases in the algorithm are fellow experts Rediet Abebe and Joy Buolamwini.

Climate Change remains a pressing issue, and Africa’s leaders, from Public Office to Business to Civil Society are fully engaged in tackling this vital concern.

For example, Senegalese Ibrahima Cheikh Diong entered the list after taking on the role of executive director for the newly formed Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, which will have a direct impact on how developing nations will be able to respond to the worst effect of the climate crisis.

Michael Kakande was also nominated for being a fierce campaigner for climate justice and facilitating the participation of Africa’s youth in the global conversation.

A defining year for Development Finance Institutions

This year was in many ways a defining year for Development Financial Institutions, exemplified by the sheer number of entries in the Business section of the list. Dr Sidi Ould Tah from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Samaila Zubairu from the Africa Finance Corporation, Thierno-Habib Hann of Shelter Afrique, Akinwumi Adesina and Hassatou Diop N’Sele from the African Development Bank, Prof Benedict Oramah from the African Export-Import Bank, Alain Ebobissé from Africa50 and Manuel Moses from African Trade & Investment Development Insurance, all feature.

Olympic Glory: Celebrating Africa’s sports heroes

In the year of the Paris Olympics, there is a special salute to the Olympic medallists in our sports category. Letsile Tebogo, who stole the show at the 200m final to bring Botswana its first Gold medal; Sifan Hassan, who became the first female athlete to win medals in the 5K, 10K and Marathon (Olympic Record) events in the same game; and also Imane Khelif, who’s gold medal was a victory not just in boxing but also racial prejudice.

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

The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 edition of New African offers an in-depth look at the lives and achievements of the extraordinary individuals shaping the African narrative on the continent and abroad. Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the African spirit.

See below the list in full or visit https://apo-opa.co/4iVuMqk

The 100 Most Influential Africans 2024 List

Politics and Public Service

  • Bassirou Diomaye Faye
  • Kemi Badenoch
  • Muhammad Ali Pate
  • Claver Gatete
  • Ali Mohamed
  • King Mohamed VI
  • Ronald Lamola
  • Yemi Osinbajo
  • Nardos Bekele-Thomas
  • Ibrahima Cheikh Diong

Business

  • Robins Tchale-Watchou
  • Fatima Tambajang
  • Dr Sidi Ould Tah
  • Samaila Zubairu
  • Thierno-Habib Hann
  • Akinwumi Adesina
  • Tariye Gbadegesin
  • Adebayo Ogunlesi
  • Wale Tinubu
  • Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
  • Prof Benedict Okey Oramah
  • Moulay Hafid Elalamy
  • Olugbenga Agboola
  • Alain Ebobissé
  • Tunde Olanrewaju
  • Nassef Sawiris
  • Aliko Dangote
  • Ismael Belkhayat
  • Hassatou Diop N’sele
  • Jeremy Awori
  • Manuel Moses
  • Hassanein Hiridjee
  • Rene Awambeng

Civil Society

  • Joseph Moses Oleshangay
  • Mohamed Adow
  • Michael Kakande
  • Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
  • William Asiko
  • Eva Omaghomi
  • Nelson Amenya
  • Helmy Abouleish
  • Binaifer Nowrojee

Science & Academia

  • Elhadj As Sy
  • Chinasa T. Okolo
  • Tshilidzi Marwala
  • Prof Colleen Masimirembwa
  • Prof Moses Obimbo Madadi
  • Rediet Abebe
  • Rachid Guerraoui
  • Abdoulaye Diabaté
  • Joy Buolamwini
  • Abeba Birhane

Opinion Shapers

  • Miatta Fahnbulleh
  • Olajide Olatunji
  • Carlos Lopes
  • Zain Verjee
  • John-Allan Namu
  • Vera Songwe
  • Nesrine Malik
  • Tayo Aina
  • Thebe Ikalafeng
  • Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
  • Hannah Ryder
  • Ayman Mohyeldin
  • Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard

Creative

  • Zineb Sedira
  • Rita Mawuena Benissan
  • Iansmith Mwenda
  • Idris Elba
  • Ken Wakia
  • Adejoké Bakare
  • Ayra Starr
  • Selma Feriani
  • DJ Edu
  • Eugene Mbugua
  • Chigozie Obioma
  • Kamel Daoud
  • Tesfaye Urgessa
  • Mehdi Qotbi
  • DBN Gogo
  • Yinka Ilori Amina
  • Lola Shoneyin
  • Ekow Eshun
  • Zhong FeiFei
  • Mati Diop
  • Hassan Hajjaj
  • Koyo Kouoh
  • Mo Harawe
  • Victoria Kimani

Sports

  • Patrice Motsepe
  • Letsile Tebogo
  • Imane Khelif
  • Tunde Onakoya
  • Gelson Fernandes
  • Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane
  • Biniam Girmay
  • Ademola Lookman
  • Ruth Chepng’etich
  • Omar Berrada
  • Sifan Hassan

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of New African Magazine.

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Promotional Event of CIFTIS Successfully Held in Singapore

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6 minutes ago

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April 25, 2025

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CIFTIS

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 April 2025 – On April 23rd, a promotional event organized by a delegation from the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was successfully held in Singapore, expanding new frontiers for the digital economy in Southeast Asia and promoting in-depth regional cooperation.

On April 23rd, the Singapore Promotion Event of CIFTIS, the China-Southeast Asia Digital Infrastructure Cooperation Forum, and the Seminar on the Construction of an International Cooperation Ecosystem for the Digital Economy were successfully held in Singapore. During the opening ceremonies of the two meetings, Yin Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing International Trade in Services Affairs Center, stated that the digital economy in Southeast Asia is developing rapidly. China and Singapore have achieved fruitful cooperation in the digital economy, and digital infrastructure construction is poised for an exponential growth opportunities. He expressed hope that both sides will further utilize the CIFTIS platform in the future to deepen cooperation and explore business opportunities together.

The Singapore Promotion Event of CIFTIS and the China-Southeast Asia Digital Infrastructure Cooperation Forum (DITF) deeply explored how AI computing power can empower industrial transformation and how China’s experience can help Southeast Asia initiate a new era of AI infrastructure construction.

Yin Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing International Trade in Services Affairs Center, said that as an important window for China’s opening up to the outside world, Beijing is committed to advancing the construction of the National Comprehensive Pilot Zone for the Expansion of Opening-up in the Service Sector and the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, as well as improving the international service system. In his address, Huang Chao, Executive Chairman of DITC for China, stated that the digital economy in Southeast Asia is experiencing takeoff, attracting investment from the international community, including China. He emphasized that only through ecosystem co-construction and localized practice can the investment boom be transformed into genuine industrial upgrading.

During the keynote session, Lin Chaoting, Vice President of Zhipu AI (a leading Chinese AI company), highlighted China’s digital globalization efforts, showcasing Zhipu’s AI agent products and flexible deployment solutions. She called for the creation of global joint labs and innovation hubs to advance AI industry development worldwide. Industry experts from Midea and Tencent Cloud also delivered thematic presentations.

The workshop session, themed “Focusing on Ecosystem Co-construction and Localized Practice: How Investment Booms and Transnational Strategies Accelerate Southeast Asia’s Industrial Restructuring,” explored core topics such as the digital industry’s key pillars (data centers, cloud networks), localized cloud service development, AI advancements, and collaborative digital ecosystem building. They explored how local enterprises in Southeast Asia and multinational corporations, especially Chinese companies expanding globally, can build cross-cultural market competitiveness through strategies such as ecosystem building, localization of teams, cultivation of strategic partner ecosystems, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, thereby accelerating the development of digital infrastructure in Southeast Asia and achieving a win-win path of regional collaborative development.

During the Seminar on the Construction of an International Cooperation Ecosystem for the Digital Economy, industry experts and entrepreneur representatives from China and Singapore engaged in a heated discussion on topics such as Singapore’s “Smart Nation” experience and how Beijing’s digital economy enterprises can expand into the Singaporean international market.

At the global technology event—GITEX ASIA 2025, a delegation composed of several leading Chinese digital service trade enterprises made a collective appearance, showcasing China’s innovative achievements and impressive capabilities in the digital economy.

In addition to the forums and exhibitions, an international exchange event titled “Digital Luminary: Southeast Asia’s Future Night” was also held, with the participation of many technology companies, including China Telecom International, Alibaba Cloud, Laihua Technology, and Zhipu AI.

The successful holding and exhibition of the Singapore Promotion Event of CIFTIS and the Digital Service Trade Delegation have demonstrated China’s strong strength and innovative achievements in the digital economy, providing an important platform for digital economy cooperation between China and Singapore, as well as the broader Southeast Asian region.

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Reload Logistics Releases Outlook Report: “Unlocking Southern Africa’s Trade Potential”

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15 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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New insights highlight infrastructure, digital innovation, and sustainability shaping regional trade

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 24, 2025/APO Group/ –As trade corridors expand and the demand for sustainable supply chain solutions grows, Reload Logistics (www.ReloadLogistics.com) has released an industry outlook report titled “Unlocking Southern Africa’s Trade Potential in 2025 and Beyond.” The report sheds light on transformative trends in infrastructure, trade integration, and digital innovation driving Southern Africa’s logistics landscape.

Key insights from the report include:

  • Critical Minerals Driving Growth: Southern Africa provides around 30% of the world’s critical minerals for electric vehicles, including cobalt and copper, contributing to the transition towards cleaner energy.
  • Strategic Infrastructure Investments: The Kasomeno-Mwenda Road Project is removing over 300km from DRC-to-Tanzania routes, while the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project plans to double port capacity to 30 million tons by 2030.
  • Technological Transformation: Tech logistics solutions have improved route optimization by up to 15%.
  • Sustainability Imperatives: By 2030, demand for green logistics could reach approximately $350 billion globally, with exporters increasingly adopting lower-carbon transport options.
  • Transformative Trade Corridors: Port developments at Dar es Salaam, Durban, Walvis Bay, and Beira are enhancing efficiencies and opening cross-border opportunities.

The report projects that by 2030, the African Continental Free Trade Area will boost intra-African trade by over 50%, creating new commodity flows while regional infrastructure investments address network gaps.

Download the full report (https://apo-opa.co/3RuAwLx) to explore how your business can stay ahead in the evolving logistics landscape of Southern Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Reload Logistics

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African Mining Week (AMW) to Spotlight Investor Strategies Driving Africa’s Mineral Industrialization

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16 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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African Mining Week 2025 will convene global investors in Cape Town to explore financing strategies, geopolitical trends and ESG factors driving Africa’s mineral industrialization

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 24, 2025/APO Group/ –African Mining Week (AMW) – taking place from October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town – will connect global investors with high-impact opportunities across Africa’s mining sector, spotlighting the strategies fueling the continent’s mineral industrialization.

A key highlight of the event will be a high-level panel, The Investor Perspective: Financing Africa’s Mineral Industrialization. The session will explore the evolving investment landscape and examine diverse financing mechanisms – including bank loans, private equity, venture capital and impact investing – that are mobilizing capital into African mining.

DFIs Drive Infrastructure Investments

Attracted by strong returns and Africa’s long-term growth potential, development finance institutions (DFIs) are ramping up investments into the continent’s mining infrastructure. In March 2025, the African Development Bank approved a $150 million loan to Mauritania’s state-owned mining company SNIM and committed $500 million to the Lobito Corridor – a strategic railway project linking Angola, the DRC and Zambia to international markets. Meanwhile, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is backing several critical mineral projects, including Nyanza Light Metals’ $780 million PGMs facility in South Africa, Gecamines’ expansion in the DRC, Giyani Metals’ manganese development in Botswana and FG Gold’s project in Sierra Leone. Between 2014 and 2024, AFC invested over $1 billion into Africa’s mining sector. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is also deepening its commitment, providing more than $750 million toward the Lobito Corridor, $34 million for Pensana’s Longonjo rare earths project in Angola and $3.2 million to Chillerton’s green copper development in Zambia.

Geopolitics and African Prospects

Geopolitical shifts are intensifying the global race for Africa’s critical minerals, vital for the energy transition and digital economy. From 2019 to 2023, companies from the United Arab Emirates committed over $110 billion to African projects. In early 2025, UAE-based Ambrosia Investment Holding acquired a 50% stake in Allied Gold’s projects in Ethiopia and Mali, investing $375 million to scale up gold production. Canadian mining investment on the continent has now surpassed $37 billion, with companies like Ivanhoe Mines, Fortuna Silver, Pioneer Lithium and Trigon Metals leading expansion efforts. Similarly, Australia’s mining footprint in Africa reached $60 billion in asset value in 2024, supported by firms such as Sovereign Metals, Cazaly Resources and Atlantic Lithium.

Private Placements

Private placements are emerging as a preferred capital-raising vehicle for mining ventures across Africa. Companies including Zanaga Iron Ore, Moab Minerals, Global Atomic Corporation, Premier African Minerals and Trigon Metals are leveraging this mechanism to fast-track project development and attract investor interest. As ESG criteria take center stage in investment decision-making, AMW will serve as a platform for financiers and project developers to engage on sustainability metrics, transparency and responsible investing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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