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Africa's 100 Most Influential list for 2015

26 November 2015

The annual New African 100 Most Influential Africans list represents the continent's definitive power list and profiles its top game changers in eight categories, including politics, art, media and technology.

Nigeria and South Africa dominate the list, on which 30 African countries are represented. Kenya, Uganda and Cameroon also feature strongly. The list comprises 65 men, 32 women and three groups, including the South African student protest group #FeesMustFall.

Watch as #FeesMustFall's Shaeera Kalla speaks about the collective

Africa, united

The list is symbolic of the African Union's Agenda 2063 goals of creating a significant paradigm shift in how the world views Africa. Each of the 100 emphasise their role in "rekindling Pan-Africanism, creating unity, self-reliance and solidarity" for all Africans.

As per the AU mission statement that envisions "an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena", the 100 list is a platform for those selected to take the African story to the world.

Highlights from the list include:

Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, who battled each other in the closely contested Nigerian election earlier this year.

African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina from Nigeria

Rising UK Labour Party MP Chuka Umunna (Nigeria)

South African Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane

United Nations under-secretary-general Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (South Africa)

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Sierra Leone leader Ernest Bai Koroma, who, together with Sirleaf and Guinea's Alpha Conde, played an instrumental role in the war against Ebola during 2014 and 2015

Senegalese musician and philanthropist Akon

South Africa-born technology industrialist Elon Musk

South African comedian and new Daily Show host Trevor Noah

Zambian writer Namwali Serpell

Oscar award winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o

The December issue of New African, featuring the full list and profiles of all the selected Africans, is out now and is available in print and digital. For more information, visit the New African website.

SouthAfrica.info reporter