The Top Africans who wield power in politics, economics, and the arts, according to the Africa Report: from wealthy barons to unexpected peacemakers and soft-power Influential superstars.
Aliko Dangote
With an estimated wealth of $10.3 billion, he is the world’s richest black man and Africa’s richest man. Senator Ben-Murray Bruce described him as “more influential and powerful than (President Muhammadu) Buhari” in Nigeria. Dangote’s most recent project is a $10.5 billion oil refinery that will be Africa’s largest, so he won’t be sitting on the fence when it comes to oil-sector reform discussions in Africa.
Elon Musk
Musk remains in the news due to the yo-yoing of his company’s stock, his hirings and firings, and his off-the-wall tweets. His ideas, from mitigating global warming with electric automobiles to urban mobility on a cushion of air and ambitions to build a colony on Mars, are altering the future. His Boring Company might contribute to a surge in urban public transit, but he is pessimistic about AI’s influence. He contributes to both the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, claiming that it is important to pay to be heard.
Koos Bekker
Naspers’ stock price developed a cold after China’s Tencent sneezed in August 2018. It didn’t last long, but it demonstrated how closely the South African media and entertainment conglomerate’s fortunes are linked to its largest stake (Naspers owns 31 percent of the Chinese internet giant). Bekker became the Buffett of Africa in 2001 when he purchased a share in Tencent for $32 million. Since then, the investment has grown to $116 billion, and Bekker notably forewent a salary in exchange for stock options when he was CEO.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Nigerian author-turned-public intellectual continues her meteoric rise, and she is as frequently seen behind a microphone as she is in the paper these days, addressing audiences on issues such as racism, misogyny, and the human condition. She began 2018 by slaying a French journalist for her lack of knowledge about Nigeria and ended it on stage with former US first lady Michelle Obama.
Trevor Noah
One of the most outspoken critics of Donald Trump’s presidency, Noah has brought millennial-inspired thinking and an astute outsider’s perspective to The Daily Show and has taught some Americans that Africa is not a continent. His employment is secure until 2022, thanks to a contract renewal in 2017, which will see him through the tumultuous US election season. He’s also a really hilarious guy.
Tidjane Thiam
Thiam’s credit Suisse turnaround during 2016 has astounded bankers and experts. Ignoring critics, the Ivorian CEO demoted derivatives traders and rebranded the bank as a wealth management firm specializing in emerging countries. He told Euromoney that he thinks the bank is “fantastic.” Or, to be more accurate, it has always had a fantastic bank within it.” However, it is facing a significant backlash as a result of its participation in the Mozambique tuna bond scam Influential.
Davido
He is wealthy (worth $16 million), attractive, possesses fast vehicles, and political power. He offered his star appeal to presidential contender Atiku Abubakar’s campaign, significantly upstaging the 72-year-old politician, by using his songs to urge Nigerians to vote in the 2019 elections. After selling out the 15,000-seat O2 Arena in London in January, his next act will be to break into the competitive US market, with his sights set on a performance at Madison Square Garden.
