African celebrity culture has truly become a global phenomenon, birthing stars who dominate football, music, and screen with unprecedented financial power and cultural reach. But to truly understand the continental titans of today—the platinum-selling artists and multi-million-dollar footballers—we must look back at the benchmark that defined African influence over a decade ago: the debut list of The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa. This original ranking, compiled by Forbes in 2011, moved beyond mere fame to honor the individuals whose lasting cultural impact and societal contributions cemented their status as true icons.
What truly defines enduring influence versus fleeting fame? Is it the sheer number of album streams, the transfer fees, or the fundamental ability to inspire and drive social change? The 2011 list challenged the standard definition of stardom by prioritizing genuine talent, achievement, and undeniable clout. The ranking was determined by an exhaustive process that included aggregating over 7,500 public nominations and scientifically measuring media visibility across various platforms (print, television, radio, and online), quantifying web references on Google, and assessing their “general clout across the continent”.
The resulting roster proudly asserted that none of the individuals included were merely “famous for being famous,” reinforcing that real celebrity must be rooted in skill and achievement. The creation of this ranking underscored a profound need to formally recognize the individuals who truly shaped contemporary African pop culture.
The Methodology of Continental Power
The initial approach to selecting The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa was rigorous, aiming for credibility and comprehensive reach. The data collected emphasized figures who were driving musical movements, leading conversations, and leveraging their celebrity status, often for social causes.
Key Observations from the 2011 List Composition:
- Dominance of Music and Literature: The list was “dominated by musicians” (over half the list). However, the inclusion of a significant number of authors and playwrights demonstrated the list’s value for cerebral and artistic greatness, something unusual for typical celebrity rankings.
- National Leaders: A quarter of the recognized stars hailed from Nigeria, with other significant contributions coming from South Africa and Mali.
- Social Media Status: At the time of compilation, a robust social media presence was not yet the primary metric, as an “overwhelming number of Africa’s most influential celebrities have either a very small or non-existent social media presence”. Notable exceptions included Senegalese hip-hop act Akon and Nigerian beat maker Michael Collins A.K.A Don Jazzy, who were among the “handful of others who boast 6-figure followers on networks like Facebook and Twitter”.
The seriousness of the criteria established for the 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa list measured enduring clout across diverse fields. As one commentator noted regarding the intellectual nature of the top ranks: “I wonder how many literary figures would feature in other continents’ celebrity lists? In my books, it’s a worthy list!”.
40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa List
| # | Name | Country | Occupation(s) | Year of Birth | Year of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Akon | Senegal / USA | Musician, entrepreneur | 1973 | — |
| 3 | Angélique Kidjo | Benin | Singer, activist | 1960 | — |
| 4 | Burna Boy | Nigeria | Musician, songwriter, producer | 1991 | — |
| 5 | Wizkid | Nigeria | Musician, songwriter | 1990 | — |
| 6 | Tiwa Savage | Nigeria | Singer, songwriter | 1980 | — |
| 7 | Diamond Platnumz | Tanzania | Bongo flava artist, music executive | 1989 | — |
| 8 | Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) | South Africa | DJ, producer | 1976 | — |
| 9 | Youssou N’Dour | Senegal | Musician, cultural ambassador | 1959 | — |
| 10 | Davido | Nigeria | Musician, songwriter, producer | 1992 | — |
| 11 | Trevor Noah | South Africa | Comedian, TV host, author | 1984 | — |
| 12 | Mohamed Salah | Egypt | Footballer | 1992 | — |
| 13 | Didier Drogba | Côte d’Ivoire | Footballer, philanthropist | 1978 | — |
| 14 | Sadio Mané | Senegal | Footballer | 1992 | — |
| 15 | Samuel Eto’o | Cameroon | Footballer, sports executive | 1981 | — |
| 16 | Lupita Nyong’o | Kenya | Actress, producer, author | 1983 | — |
| 17 | Charlize Theron | South Africa | Actress, producer | 1975 | — |
| 18 | Alek Wek | South Sudan | Supermodel | 1977 | — |
| 19 | Genevieve Nnaji | Nigeria | Actress, producer, director | 1979 | — |
| 20 | Omotola Jalade Ekeinde | Nigeria | Actress, singer, philanthropist | 1978 | — |
| 21 | Yemi Alade | Nigeria | Singer, performer | 1989 | — |
| 22 | Zahara (Bulelwa Mkutukana) | South Africa | Musician | 1987 | — |
| 23 | Yvonne Chaka Chaka | South Africa | Singer, humanitarian | 1965 | — |
| 24 | Connie Ferguson | South Africa | Actress, producer | 1970 | — |
| 25 | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | South Africa | Politician, diplomat | 1949 | — |
| 26 | Chinua Achebe | Nigeria | Novelist | 1930 | 2013 |
| 27 | Wole Soyinka | Nigeria | Playwright, poet, activist | 1934 | — |
| 28 | Fela Kuti | Nigeria | Musician, activist | 1938 | 1997 |
| 29 | Miriam Makeba | South Africa | Singer, activist | 1932 | 2008 |
| 30 | Sho Madjozi | South Africa | Rapper, singer | 1992 | — |
| 31 | Sarkodie | Ghana | Rapper, entrepreneur | 1988 | — |
| 32 | Black Sherif | Ghana | Musician | 2002 | — |
| 33 | Asake | Nigeria | Singer, songwriter | 1995 | — |
| 34 | Master KG | South Africa | DJ, producer (Jerusalema) | 1996 | — |
| 35 | Rema | Nigeria | Singer, songwriter | 2000 | — |
| 36 | Ayra Starr | Nigeria | Singer, songwriter | 2002 | — |
| 37 | Wizkid’s protégé Tems | Nigeria | Singer, songwriter | 1995 | — |
| 38 | Eddy Kenzo | Uganda | Singer, songwriter | 1989 | — |
| 39 | Patoranking | Nigeria | Dancehall/Reggae artist | 1990 | — |
| 40 | Oumou Sangaré | Mali | Singer, activist | 1968 | — |
| 41 | Nasty C | South Africa | Rapper, songwriter | 1997 |
Powerful Celebrities In Africa
Here is our list of the top celebs in Africa.
2. Akon
Akon, whose full name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16, 1973, he spent much of his youth traveling between the United States and his ancestral homeland, Senegal. He learned about music from his parents; his father, Mor Thiam, was a famed percussionist, and his mother was a professional dancer.
Akon rose to fame in 2004 with his debut single “Locked Up,” followed by his first album, Trouble. His second album, Konvicted (2006), was an even bigger success, achieving triple Platinum status and featuring global hits like “Smack That” (with Eminem) and “I Wanna Love You” (with Snoop Dogg). He is credited with selling over 35 million albums globally. Akon founded the record labels Konvict Muzik (2004) and KonLive Distribution (2007), famously signing successful acts including Lady Gaga, from whom he confirmed in 2011 he had made ten times more money than from any of his own endeavors in the previous decade. His net worth is estimated at $50 million (as of July 2025) or $80 million (as of 2025).
A significant focus of Akon’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts is Africa. In 2014, he launched Akon Lighting Africa (ALA) to provide solar power solutions to rural communities across the continent. By 2023, ALA was responsible for providing solar-powered electricity to 25 countries.
Akon also pursued his ambitious plan to build Akon City, a $6 billion futuristic smart city in Senegal, inspired by the fictional Wakanda. The city was planned to run on its own cryptocurrency, Akoin. However, by 2025, Senegalese officials officially scrapped the Akon City project due to missed deadlines and lack of funding, noting that only one partially constructed reception building existed on the site.
3. Angélique Kidjo
Angélique Kidjo (Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo) is a Beninese-French singer, songwriter, and influential global artist, born in 1960. Raised in Benin, where her mother ran a theatre troupe, Kidjo started her performance career on stage at the age of six.
She left Benin for Paris in 1983 to escape the repressive communist dictatorship that demanded propaganda art. Her music is celebrated for blending the West African traditions of her upbringing with diverse global genres, including American R&B, funk, jazz, soul, Cuban salsa, and Congolese rumba. Her major label debut, Logozo, was released in 1991.
Kidjo is a highly decorated musician, having won five Grammy Awards. Her Grammy-winning albums include EVE (2014), Celia (2019), and Mother Nature (2021). She is recognized for her musical reinterpretations, such as recording a version of Talking Heads’ Remain in Light (2018) and paying homage to salsa singer Celia Cruz on Celia. She also actively collaborates with a younger generation of African stars, including Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Davido.
Beyond music, Kidjo is a vocal advocate for social justice. She has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002 and is the co-founder of The Batonga Foundation, which aims to empower and educate adolescent girls in Benin. Her work consistently addresses urgent themes, ranging from political repression and police brutality to the climate crisis. In 2021, she was named one of Time‘s “100 Most Influential People in the World”.
4. Burna Boy
Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu on 2 July 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, is a highly influential Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He began his professional career in 2010 and gained recognition in 2012 following the release of his single “Like to Party” from his debut studio album, L.I.F.E (2013).
Burna Boy describes his unique sound as “Afro-fusion,” which blends elements of Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, pop, R&B, and reggae. He is often referred to as the “African Giant,” a nickname that originated in 2019 when he publicly challenged Coachella organizers over his billing size.
Major career milestones include signing with Atlantic Records in 2017 and releasing successful albums like African Giant (2019) and Twice as Tall (2020). Twice as Tall won the Best Global Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. His 2022 album, Love, Damini, featured the hit “Last Last” and became the highest debut Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 chart.
Burna Boy has achieved significant international success, winning the Best International Act at the BET Awards four times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023). He is the first African artist to headline and sell out a stadium show in the United States (Citi Field in New York) and the first African artist to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show (2023). As of November 2023, he holds the record for the most Grammy nominations for a Nigerian artist.
In addition to his music, Burna Boy is a vocal advocate for Pan-Africanism and social justice, using his platform to address issues like colonialism, corruption, and police brutality in Nigeria. His mother, Bose Ogulu, has served as his manager.
5. Wizkid
Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer who has achieved global music superstar status. His decades-spanning career has been marked by numerous achievements and groundbreaking contributions to the music industry.
Early Career and Rise:
Wizkid gained prominence with his debut single, ‘Holla at Your Boy’, in 2010, which was an instant hit. His debut album, Superstar (2011), solidified his position as a rising star in African music. He went on to found the Starboy Entertainment record label, which he started in his living room.
Global Success:
Wizkid is a Grammy Award-winning artist and holds the distinction of being the highest selling Afrobeats act in the U.S., with sales surpassing 20 million certified units. He has over 6.7 billion streams on Spotify. His collaborations were crucial to his global reach, including his feature on Drake’s hit single ‘One Dance’ (2016), which topped charts worldwide, and his contributions to Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album in 2019.
His song ‘Essence’ (featuring Tems) became an international anthem and was the first song by a homegrown Nigerian pop artist to debut on the Billboard Hot 100. He is known for fusing traditional African sounds with contemporary global influences, creating a distinct musical identity. Beyond music, Wizkid has emerged as a symbol of cultural representation and African pride, consistently celebrating his Nigerian heritage.
His recent albums include More Love, less Ego (released in 2021) and his sixth studio album, Morayo (2024), named after his late mother.
6. Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Omolara Savage, known professionally as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress, born on February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Savage relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. She graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in accounting (or business administration) and briefly worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Savage later enrolled at Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2007 with a degree in professional music.
She began her music career by doing backup vocals at age 16 for artists like George Michael and later lent her voice to international figures such as Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Andrea Bocelli. In 2006, she participated in the UK edition of The X Factor, advancing to the final 24. In 2009, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which allowed her to write for musicians like Fantasia and Monica.
Inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, Savage returned to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012. As a “vocalist per excellence”, her music is described as a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop, pop, hip-hop, and soul, and she sings in English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Yoruba. Her studio albums include Once Upon a Time (2013), R.E.D (2015), and Celia (2020). She also released the EPs Sugarcane (2017) and Water & Garri (2021). Her fourth studio album, This One Is Personal, was released in August 2025.
Savage signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation in 2016, making her the first Nigerian artist to sign with the label. In 2018, she won Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category. In 2019, she announced her exit from Mavin Records and signed an exclusive global publishing and distribution deal with Universal Music Group.
In addition to music, Savage co-produced and starred as the lead in the film Water and Garri (2023). In 2022, she received an honorary Doctor in Music award from the University of Kent. In 2023, she performed at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. Savage was previously married to Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun (married 2013; divorced 2018), and they have one son. She has been involved in philanthropic efforts, including launching the “We Are Tired” charity foundation in 2020 to aid sexual assault victims in Nigeria.
6. Diamond Platnumz
Diamond Platnumz (born Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack on October 2, 1989) is a Tanzanian Afro-pop singer, dancer, and prominent entrepreneur, originating from Tandale, Dar es Salaam. He is a celebrated pioneer of Bongo Flava, a music genre born from a fusion of hip-hop, Afrobeat, and Swahili storytelling, which he fuses with various sounds including R&B, Amapiano, and Afrobeats.
Diamond’s early life was challenging, forcing him to hustle for his dream; he sold second-hand clothes and worked as a fuel station attendant and photographer. He famously sold his mother’s gold ring to afford his first studio session. While his first single failed, his career breakthrough arrived in 2010 with the hit single “Kamwambie,” which earned him multiple Tanzania Music Awards.
As the region’s biggest music export, Diamond has achieved massive global milestones. He signed a record deal with Universal Music in 2017 and is the first artist based in Africa to achieve a total of one billion views on YouTube. He is also the first East African artiste to receive the YouTube Diamond Creator Award for surpassing 10 million subscribers. His extensive international collaborations include working with icons like Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, Ne-Yo, Morgan Heritage, and Alicia Keys. He also achieved a significant performance milestone by appearing at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in New York.
Beyond music, Diamond is a shrewd businessman with a net worth of $10 million. He is the founder and CEO of multiple ventures, including the Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) record label, Wasafi Media, Wasafi Bet, and various other investments like real estate. Despite his stature, he has frequently been censored by Tanzania’s national art council (BASATA) for releasing content deemed “raunchy” or “immoral,” such as the singles Hallelujah, Waka Waka, and “Mwanza”. He remains highly influential, balancing his global performances with artistic introspection for his upcoming album.
8. Black Coffee
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo (born March 11, 1976), widely known as Black Coffee, is a South African DJ, songwriter, and record producer. Born in eThekwini (Durban), he began his career in 1994, deejaying while still in high school. He studied music at Technikon Natal, now the Durban University of Technology. A pivotal moment in his rise was his selection as a participant in the Red Bull Music Academy in 2003 (or 2004).
Black Coffee is a pioneering force in the Afro house scene, known for championing African culture on a global stage. His music features deep, soulful, Afropolitan rhythms, fusing Afro house with progressive beats. He launched his career with a remix of Hugh Masekela’s “Stimela” and established his record label, Soulistic Music, in 2005 to release his self-titled debut album.
A recipient of numerous honors, Black Coffee won the Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards for his seventh studio album, Subconsciously, marking him as the first African DJ to win a Grammy in this category. He has held a flagship Saturday night residency at Hï Ibiza since 2017. In 2023, he became the first South African artist to sell out Madison Square Garden.
In addition to music, Maphumulo has diversified his portfolio, investing in South African startups like Yoco and Sweepsouth, and working on the music platform GongBox. He also founded the DJ Black Coffee Foundation to assist people with disabilities. Maphumulo sustained a brachial plexus injury in a 1990 car accident, resulting in the loss of use of his left arm. As of 2025, his estimated net worth makes him a billionaire in South African Rand.
9. Youssou N’Dour
Youssou N’Dour, born in Dakar, Senegal, in October 1959, is a celebrated Senegalese singer, composer, businessman, and politician. Descended from the traditional storytelling heritage, he was born a ‘Griot’ singer. He began his musical career early, performing professionally by age 13. By 1981, he had founded his influential orchestra, Super Étoile. N’Dour is renowned as the undisputed king of mbalax, the urban dance music of Senegal, which brilliantly fuses traditional Senegalese rhythms, like the sabar drum, with modern genres such as funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban sounds. His powerful, soaring tenor voice has earned him the title of “one of the world’s greatest singers”.
N’Dour gained international acclaim through his collaborations with Peter Gabriel. He contributed powerful vocals to Gabriel’s 1986 hit, “In Your Eyes,” which helped launch N’Dour to international fame. His biggest worldwide hit was the trilingual duet “7 Seconds” (1994) with Neneh Cherry. His album Egypt (2003), which celebrated his Sufism, won a Grammy Award in 2005. Beyond music, N’Dour was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991, advocating for children, and later served as Senegal’s Minister of Tourism from April 2012 to September 2013.
10. Davido
Davido (David Adedeji Adeleke) is a Nigerian-American global Afrobeat superstar who is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful and influential contemporary musicians. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 21, 1992, he holds dual Nigerian and American nationality and was primarily raised in Lagos, Nigeria.
Davido rose to prominence in 2012 following the release of his breakout hit single, “Dami Duro”, and his debut album, Omo Baba Olowo. He has since built a formidable business empire, including the record label Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), launched in 2016, which operates as a talent incubator and revenue-generating enterprise. DMW has been instrumental in launching careers like Mayorkun’s.
His career milestones include “Fall” (2017) becoming the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history at the time, selling out the O2 Arena in London in 2019, and performing at the FIFA World Cup final in 2022. His 2023 album, Timeless, earned a Grammy nomination. Davido’s estimated net worth is $100 million in 2025, supported by numerous brand endorsements, including Puma and Martell. Furthermore, he is known for significant charitable efforts, having donated millions to Nigerian orphanages.
11. Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah is a highly influential South African comedian, writer, and television host. Born on February 20, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa, his existence was considered illegal under apartheid, as his mother was Black and his father was Swiss-German, leading to an interracial relationship that was strictly prohibited. This complex upbringing in Soweto heavily shaped his perspective and became the subject of his bestselling memoir, Born a Crime.
Noah began his comedy career in South Africa at age 18, showcasing a talent for storytelling and multilingual abilities, as he speaks eight languages including English, Xhosa, Zulu, and German. His sharp wit and cultural awareness propelled him to international recognition.
His breakthrough came in September 2015 when he succeeded Jon Stewart as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. Noah brought a distinct international and multicultural perspective to late-night satire, often providing an insider and outsider look at U.S. events during his seven-year tenure. He departed The Daily Show in December 2022 to pursue touring and other projects, which include hosting the Grammy Awards (2021-2025) and launching the podcast, “What Now? With Trevor Noah”. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $100 million.
12. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, widely known as Mo Salah or the “Egyptian King”, is an Egyptian professional footballer born on June 15, 1992, in Nagrig, Basyoun, Egypt. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
Salah began his senior career in 2010 at Al-Mokawloon before moving to Europe, where he played for Basel (winning the Swiss Super League twice) and had stints with Chelsea, Fiorentina, and Roma. His career truly exploded after joining Liverpool in 2017. Playing primarily as a right winger or forward, he is celebrated for his clinical finishing, speed, dribbling skills, and playmaking abilities.
With Liverpool, Salah helped secure numerous honors, including the UEFA Champions League (2018–19) and two Premier League titles (2019–20, 2024–25). He has achieved immense individual success, holding the record for the most PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards (three) and equaling Thierry Henry’s record of four Premier League Golden Boots. As captain of the Egypt national team, he helped lead his country to the Africa Cup of Nations final in both 2017 and 2021.
Beyond football, Salah is a devoted Muslim, known for performing the sujud (prostration) after scoring goals. He is married to Magi Salah, and they have two daughters, Makka and Kayan. He is recognized for his extensive philanthropy, notably funding infrastructure projects like schools and hospitals in his hometown of Nagrig.
13. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is a retired Ivorian footballer, widely recognized as one of the greatest African players of all time. Born Didier Yves Drogba Tebily on March 11, 1978, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, he began his professional career relatively late, at the age of 21. Drogba gained global fame primarily as a powerful striker for Chelsea, joining the club in 2004 from Olympique de Marseille for 24 million pounds.
During his time at Chelsea, he was one of the highest-paid soccer players in the world, earning a salary of $15 million per year at one point. Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for Chelsea, helping the club secure 4 Premier League titles and the 2012 UEFA Champions League, where he famously scored both the equalizer and the winning penalty. His career accolades include being a two-time African Player of the Year (2006, 2009) and a two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner. Drogba later became the first-ever player-owner of a soccer team, the Phoenix Rising, before retiring at the age of 40.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Drogba holds significant socio-political leverage in his home country. In 2005, his impassioned on-air plea for unity and peace was credited with contributing to a ceasefire in the brutal Ivorian Civil War. He later served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. Through the Didier Drogba Foundation, established in 2007, he focuses on philanthropy, particularly in healthcare and education infrastructure development within Côte d’Ivoire.
14. Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané is a Senegalese professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time. Born on April 10, 1992, in Bambali, Senegal, Mané grew up in a religious household where his father, an imam, initially forbade him from playing football. After his father’s death when Mané was seven, he ran away from his home village at age 15 to pursue his football dream.
His early career included spells at Metz and Red Bull Salzburg, where he won a league and cup double. He joined Southampton in 2014, where he set a Premier League record in 2015 by scoring the fastest hat-trick in history (176 seconds).
Mané became a Merseyside icon at Liverpool after signing in 2016. He was a key part of the formidable front three, helping the club win the UEFA Champions League (2018–19) and the Premier League (2019–20). Mané also led the Senegal national team to victory in the 2021 African Cup of Nations, scoring the winning penalty. He was recognized as the African Footballer of the Year in both 2019 and 2022.
He left Liverpool in 2022 for German giants Bayern Munich, and currently plays as a forward or left winger for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beyond football, Mané is celebrated for his extensive charity work. He received the inaugural Sócrates Award in 2022 for his humanitarian efforts. His significant donations have funded the construction of a hospital and a school in his home village of Bambali, helping to establish a lasting legacy for his community.
15. Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o Fils is a Cameroonian football administrator and former player, widely regarded as one of the greatest African players and strikers of all time. Born in Douala on March 10, 1981, Eto’o began his youth career at Real Madrid before starring for Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Everton, and other clubs.
A ruthless and efficient finisher, Eto’o had his longest and most successful spell at Barcelona, scoring 130 goals in five seasons. He helped the club win three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles, scoring in both the 2006 and 2009 finals. Eto’o then moved to Inter Milan (2009–2011), where his tenure secured him a historic treble (2010). This achievement made him the only player in history to win back-to-back European continental trebles with different teams.
For the Cameroon national team, Eto’o is the all-time leading scorer with 56 goals in 118 caps, and the all-time leading scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations (18 goals). He secured two Africa Cup of Nations titles (2000, 2002) and an Olympic Gold Medal (2000). He was named African Player of the Year a record four times.
After retiring in 2019, Eto’o became an entrepreneur and philanthropist through the Samuel Eto’o Foundation. He was elected President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) in December 2021. However, his leadership has since faced severe scrutiny, including accusations of corruption, match-fixing, and a recent major boycott by the Cameroonian Referees Association over unpaid dues.
16. Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o is an acclaimed actress of Kenyan and Mexican-Kenyan heritage, born in Mexico in 1983. She pursued filmmaking studies at Hampshire College before earning a Master’s in Acting from the Yale School of Drama. Prior to her acting breakthrough, she wrote, directed, and produced the 2009 documentary In My Genes, which focused on the treatment of albinos in Kenya.
Nyong’o achieved explosive fame with her feature film debut as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave (2013). She won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 2014 for this role, making her the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to receive the honor. She also won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for this performance.
Her diverse career includes co-starring in the superhero film Black Panther and delivering a challenging, dual performance as Adelaide Wilson and Red in Jordan Peele’s horror film Us (2019). She also made her Broadway debut in the play Eclipsed (2015), earning a Tony Award nomination.
Beyond Hollywood, Nyong’o is a leading anti-poaching ambassador and Global Ambassador for WildAid, and has applauded the Kenyan government for its elephant conservation efforts. Furthermore, she is the author of the New York Times bestselling children’s picture book Sulwe (2019), which addresses colorism and encourages self-love. An animated musical film adaptation of Sulwe is currently being produced by Nyong’o for Netflix.
17. Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron was born in rural South Africa, where she spent her childhood on a farm. She left South Africa after age 16 to pursue modeling, shortly after her mother shot her violent, alcoholic father in self-defense. Theron’s earliest dream, starting at age 4, was to dance, leading her to train at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City until a knee injury at 19 ended those aspirations. Her mother suggested acting as an alternative, prompting Theron’s move to Los Angeles.
Over her career spanning 25 years, Theron has established herself as an Oscar winner, an acclaimed producer, and one of the world’s highest-paid actors. She is widely described as “fearless” and known for taking on complicated, richly textured women. Her defining roles include playing serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003), for which she won an Oscar; Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road; and an undercover MI6 agent in Atomic Blonde.
Beyond acting, Theron is a single mother of two and a United Nations Messenger for Peace. She has also challenged Hollywood’s double standards regarding aging, noting she “despise[s] the concept” that women age “like cut flowers”. In upcoming projects, she is set to join the ensemble cast of a secretive new film directed by Christopher Nolan. Theron is also the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which works to advance the health and safety of young people in Southern Africa. (185 words)
18. Alek Wek
Alek Wek (pronounced ah-LECK) is a South Sudanese-British supermodel, designer, and refugee advocate. Born in Wau, South Sudan, in 1977, she is a member of the Dinka community. Her early years were simple and happy. However, the civil war that began in the Eighties forced her family to flee Wau on foot in 1985. Wek and one of her sisters were accepted for refugee status in the UK after her father died in Khartoum, and she arrived in London in 1991 at age 14, initially unable to speak English.
In 1995, at the age of 18, she was discovered by a scout in Crystal Palace. Wek signed with Ford Models in 1996, and her career swiftly ascended, fundamentally challenging Western beauty standards. Her look—featuring dark skin, unstraightened hair, and striking features—broke the mold at a time when dark-skinned Black models were rare. Wek became the first African model to appear on the cover of Elle magazine in 1997, and was named MTV’s Model of the Year that same year. She has since walked for nearly all major fashion houses, including Chanel, Gucci, and Dior.
As a former refugee, she uses her platform to highlight ongoing civil unrest and advocate for forcibly displaced persons globally. She has supported the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) since 2011, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador from 2013. Wek published her memoir, Alek: Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel, in 2007. She resides in Brooklyn, New York City.
19. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, director, musician, and entrepreneur. Born on May 3, 1979, in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, she is the fourth of eight children. Nnaji began her career at the tender age of eight, appearing in the Nigerian TV show Ripples. She later attended the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts, and debuted in Nollywood in the 1998 film Most Wanted.
Having starred in more than 100 films, she is one of Africa’s most revered entertainers and has been nicknamed the “Julia Roberts of Africa”.
As a serial entrepreneur, Nnaji became the face of Lux in 2004 and launched her clothing line, St. Genevieve, which gives a portion of its proceeds to charity. Following a ban by film studio executives, she ventured into music and released her one and only album, “One Logologo Line”.
In 2018, Nnaji made her directorial debut with Lionheart. The film was acquired by Netflix, making it the first Nigerian Netflix Original. Lionheart was later selected as Nigeria’s first-ever entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Nnaji was honored by the Nigerian government in 2011 as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for her contributions to the Nollywood industry. She has an estimated net worth of over $12 million (as of 2023).
20. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a veteran Nigerian superstar actress, recording artist, and singer, affectionately known as ‘Omosexy’. Born on February 7, 1978, she began her acting career with a debut in 1993 or 1995 and has since appeared in over 300 films.
Omotola’s career achievements extend globally: she was shortlisted on Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential personalities in the world in 2013 and became the first Nigerian actress to join the Oscars as a voting member (Actors Branch) in 2018.
She is recognized as the first African celebrity to accumulate 1 million likes on Facebook. She was honored by the Nigerian government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2014 for her contributions to Nigerian cinema. Her full name now reads Dr. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, MFR.
Beyond the screen, she is an active philanthropist and human rights campaigner. Omotola is a UN World Food Programme Ambassador, an Amnesty International Campaigner, and the founder of the Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP). She also ventured into music, releasing her debut album Gba in 2005. She is married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde and is a mother of four children.
21. Yemi Alade
Yemi Eberechi Alade is a capable and talented Nigerian artist, recognized globally as one of the most popular Nigerian musicians today. Alade burst onto the music scene in 2009, and her breakthrough moment came with the smash hit single “Johnny” in 2013. The song “Johnny” remains one of the most popular Afrobeat songs worldwide, and its music video had garnered over 174 million views by mid-2021.
Known affectionately as ‘Mama Africa’, Alade is known for her dynamic stage presence and powerful, yet flexible, vocals. Her mission is to spread African culture and creativity through her music and personal style. She celebrates her identity as an African woman by consistently choosing African prints like Ankara for her wardrobe, and her music exhibits a strong pan-African appeal. Her body of work draws on a wide spectrum of styles, helping to transform the concept of Afropop into a powerful sonic indexing of widespread community.
Yemi Alade is highly accomplished, having won multiple awards, including the MTV African Music Awards for Best Female consecutively in 2015 and 2016. Her discography is extensive, featuring six studio albums—such as her debut King of Queens (2014), Woman of Steel (2019), and her latest, Rebel Queen (2024)—along with several EPs. In 2024, Alade earned her first Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her song “Tomorrow” from the Rebel Queen album. As of September 2021, she maintained a strong global presence with 14.7 million followers on Instagram and over 585.5 million views on her YouTube channel. She is managed by Effyzzie Music Group.
22. Zahara
Zahara (born Bulelwa Mkutukana on 9 November 1987 in East London) was a revered South African Afro-soul musician, singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitarist. Known professionally as South Africa’s “Country Girl”, her music was delivered in her native isiXhosa language and English. She originated from the Phumlani Informal Settlement of the Eastern Cape.
After signing with TS Records, Zahara’s 2011 debut album, Loliwe (“The Train”), became a sensation. It achieved double platinum status in South Africa, becoming the second-fastest selling album in the country after Brenda Fassie’s Memeza. Her successful career included the release of later albums like Phendula (2013) and Country Girl (2015). She accumulated seventeen South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and was recognized on the BBC’s 2020 list of 100 most influential women worldwide.
In later years, the artist faced reported financial struggles, including threats of bank repossession on her Roodepoort house due to non-payments. Zahara died on 11 December 2023 at age 36 in a Johannesburg hospital, having been admitted for liver complications. Following her death, her family opened an inquest docket (police case) as they suspected foul play, citing conflicting preliminary autopsy reports.
23. Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka OIS (born Yvonne Machaka on 18 March 1965 in Dobsonville, Soweto) is a highly influential South African singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. She experienced a difficult childhood; her father died when she was 11, and her mother raised her and her sisters on a domestic worker’s salary.
Chaka Chaka’s career launched unexpectedly in 1984 when she was discovered at age 19. She was among the first Black children to appear on South African television in 1981. Soaring to fame in the later years of Apartheid, her debut album was I’m in Love With a DJ. Her fusion of disco and mbaqanga music, shaped by producer Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala, became known as “bubblegum”. Major hits like “Thank You Mr. DJ,” “I Cry For Freedom,” and the popular “Umqombothi”, which featured in the movie Hotel Rwanda, solidified her stardom. She embraced the image and title of the “Princess of Africa”.
Chaka Chaka is highly respected for her anti-apartheid stance, with Nelson Mandela calling her his “dear daughter” and stating that her music helped sustain prisoners on Robben Island. Artists like Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Brenda Fassie, and others who rose to prominence in the later years of Apartheid provided a mainstream image for Black women, who had often only been featured in media as maid figures. To evade censorship, she used clever wordplay; for instance, renaming a tribute to Winnie Mandela as I’m Winning My Dear Love.
She is the founder of the Princess of Africa Foundation and serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. For her humanitarian efforts, she was the first African woman to receive the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award in 2012.
24. Connie Ferguson
Constance Connie Ferguson (née Masilo) is a respected Motswana-South African actress, producer, filmmaker, and businesswoman, born on June 10, 1970. With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, she is recognized as an award-winning figure and a Forbes Africa Icon. Ferguson’s success is attributed to simple perseverance, hard work, faith, and prayer.
She is best known for her iconic lead role as Karabo Moroka on the South African soap opera, Generations, which she starred in from 1993 to 2010, and later reprised. Other prominent acting highlights include her role as Mavis in Rockville and her current role as Harriet Khoza on The Queen.
In 2010, Connie and her late husband, Shona Ferguson (who passed away in 2021), launched their successful television production company, Ferguson Films. They produced popular shows such as The Queen, Rockville, and The Imposter. She has also excelled as an entrepreneur, becoming the first SA TV personality to launch a perfume in 2008, called “True Self,” and later launched a body care range. Ferguson recently took on the role of Chairperson for the PINK ODI FUND, a cancer foundation, aligning with her philanthropic mission. She was featured on the cover of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA in 2018.
25. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma (née Dlamini), sometimes referred to as NDZ, is a South African politician and medical doctor born on 27 January 1949. As a student activist, she joined the Black Consciousness Movement and served as deputy president of the South African Students’ Organisation in 1976. After graduating with a medical degree from the University of Bristol in the UK in 1978, she lived in exile until 1990.
Since the end of apartheid, Dlamini-Zuma has served in the cabinet of every South African president. Her notable ministerial posts include Minister of Health (1994–1999), where she faced criticism for her association with the anti-scientific approach to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1999–2009). As Minister of Home Affairs (2009–2012), she was credited with turning around the previously dysfunctional department.
Dlamini-Zuma served as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission from 2012 to 2017, making her the first woman to lead the organization. She later became Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) (2019–2023), where she took a leading role in enforcing national lockdown regulations and promulgating the controversial tobacco sales ban during the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently holds the portfolio of Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Dlamini-Zuma announced her intention to retire from Parliament at the end of the sixth administration, concluding over 30 years of public service.
26. Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe, born Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe, on 16 November 1930, in Ogidi, Colonial Nigeria, was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic. He is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. His childhood was influenced by both indigenous Igbo culture and colonial Christianity. While attending the University of Ibadan, Achebe became fiercely critical of the Eurocentric ways Western literature portrayed Africa.
His first novel and magnum opus, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and is the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. It launched his “African Trilogy,” completed by No Longer at Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964). Achebe sought to escape the colonial perspective by drawing on Igbo traditions and the clash between Western and African values. He also co-founded the Heinemann African Writers Series.
Achebe was a key voice in postcolonial discourse, notably through his controversial 1975 essay, “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness,” in which he accused Joseph Conrad of being “a thoroughgoing racist”. Following a 1990 car crash that left him partially paralyzed, Achebe lived and taught in the United States, holding professorships at Bard College and Brown University. He died on 21 March 2013. He received the Man Booker International Prize in 2007.
27. Wole Soyinka
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka is a Nigerian author, playwright, and poet, born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta. He is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest writers and one of the world’s most important dramatists. Soyinka received his education at University College Ibadan and the University of Leeds.
His work, which includes plays such as The Lion and the Jewel (1959) and Death and the King’s Horseman (1975), explores the complexities of African tradition, colonialism, and contemporary society. Soyinka is known as a relentless advocate for human rights and democracy, with his political activities frequently leading to imprisonment and exile. During the Nigerian Civil War, he was arrested and held for 22 months for attempting to negotiate peace, an experience detailed in his memoir, The Man Died: The Prison Notes.
In 1986, Soyinka became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Nobel Committee cited him for his ability to fashion “the drama of existence” from a “wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones”. He turned 90 in July 2024.
28. Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun, 1938–1997) was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, renowned as the pioneer and inventor of the music genre Afrobeat. Afrobeat fuses West African music (such as highlife and Yoruba) with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. Fela Kuti began his musical studies in London in the late 1950s, but a 1969 trip to the U.S. dramatically changed his focus after meeting activist Sandra Smith (Izsadore), who introduced him to figures like Malcolm X and Black Power politics.
Upon returning to Lagos, he evolved his sound and message, renaming his band to “Africa ’70”. He was a charismatic figure who gained immense popularity, becoming an iconic political activist and a vocal figure of resistance against Nigerian corruption and military rule. Kuti housed his family and band in a communal compound known as the Kalakuta Republic, which he declared an independent state. In February 1977, following the release of his album Zombie, which criticized the Nigerian military, the compound was raided and burned by soldiers. Kuti survived, but his activist mother died from injuries sustained during the assault. Kuti’s legacy is considered complex; while celebrated for his courage, his controversial lifestyle included famously marrying 27 women simultaneously and holding misogynistic views, believing that the man must dominate. Kuti died in 1997 of an AIDS-related illness.
29. Miriam Makeba
Zenzile Miriam Makeba (1932–2008), affectionately known as “Mama Africa,” was a world-famous South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Born in Johannesburg, she began her professional career in the 1950s with groups like the Cuban Brothers and the Manhattan Brothers and later with the all-woman group The Skylarks. She recorded her first hit, “Lakutshn, Ilanga,” in 1953.
Her role in the 1959 anti-apartheid film Come Back, Africa brought her international recognition. While traveling abroad, Makeba met Harry Belafonte, who became her mentor and helped her move to the U.S.. In 1960, the South African government revoked her passport when she tried to return home for her mother’s funeral, marking the start of her decades-long exile.
Makeba used her music to speak out against the brutality of apartheid. In 1963, she became the first Black woman to speak at the United Nations regarding apartheid. She was the first African artist to win a Grammy Award in 1965 for An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba, which dealt with the political plight of Black South Africans. Her most popular single was “Pata Pata” (1967).
Her 1968 marriage to Pan-African activist Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) damaged her reputation in the U.S., leading to concert cancellations and ultimately forcing her relocation to Guinea. In 1990, following the dismantling of apartheid, Nelson Mandela invited her back to South Africa, officially ending her three-decade exile. She remained on stage until the end of her life, dying in 2008 after giving a concert in Italy.
30. Sho Madjozi
Sho Madjozi (born Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif on May 9, 1992) is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, and poet. Born in Shirley Village, Limpopo, she grew up in a two-room rondavel and was immersed in Tsonga culture. Her upbringing was worldly; she lived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where she became fluent in KiSwahili, and also spent time in Senegal. She attended Mount Holyoke College in the US, studying creative writing and African studies.
Madjozi’s career launched after collaborating on the Gqom hit “Gqi”. She is renowned for integrating her Tsonga heritage into her music and public image. Her distinctive style features colorful braids and the traditional Tsonga xibelani skirt, which she revived in mainstream culture. Madjozi raps primarily in Xitsonga, and also uses Swahili and English.
Her debut album, Limpopo Champions League, was released in 2018. She gained immense global fame with her viral gqom-genre single “John Cena”, which led to her surprise appearance with the wrestler on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Madjozi won the BET Award for Best New International Act in 2019 and was listed on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30. She signed with U.S. label Epic Records in 2020. She uses her platform to promote Pan-African pride and challenge traditional norms in male-dominated genres like hip-hop and gqom.
31. Sarkodie
Michael Owusu Addo, known professionally as Sarkodie (/ s ɑːr ˈ k ɔː d i ɛ /), is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur who originates from Tema. Born on 10 July 1985, he attended Tema Methodist Day Senior High School before earning a degree in graphic design from the IPMC College of Technology.
Sarkodie began his career as an underground rapper, rising to prominence through rap competitions such as Adom FM’s popular Kasahare Level. He is a proponent of the Azontogenre and performs primarily in his native language, Twi, leading him to be considered a “multifaceted rapper”. He is frequently named one of Africa’s best hip hop artists and has been described as the most successful African rapper of all time.
His extensive discography includes studio albums such as Makye (2009), Rapperholic (2012), Sarkology (2014), Highest (2017), Black Love (2019), No Pressure (2021), and Jamz (2022). He also released the live album Mary (2015), which was a tribute to his late grandmother.
Sarkodie is highly decorated, having received 120 awards from 206 nominations, including 30 Ghana Music Awards. Notable accolades include winning the Vodafone Ghana Music Award (VGMA) for “Artiste of the Decade” and being the first artist to win the Best International Flow award at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards. He has also won the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa twice.
Beyond his music career, Sarkodie is an entrepreneur, owning the record label Sarkcess Music (launched in 2014) and the Sark by Yas clothing line. He has secured various endorsement deals, including with Samsung Electronics and FanMilk Ghana. In his personal life, he married Tracy Owusu Addo in 2018, and they have two children. He also engages in philanthropy through The Sarkodie Foundation, launched in 2013 to support underprivileged children.
32. Black Sherif
Black Sherif, born Mohammed Ismail Sherif on 9 January 2002, is a Ghanaian singer, rapper, and fashion model, affectionately known as Blacko. He originates from Konongo-Zongo, a mining community in Ghana’s Ashanti region. His early life, marked by a peripatetic childhood after his seamstress mother left to work in Greece when he was 10, informs his vivid and visual storytelling. He is also a psychology student at the University of Ghana.
Sherif’s music is a blend of Highlife, hip hop, reggae, and drill music. He considers Highlife his bedrock, while his love for drill was influenced by the Asakaa Boys. He gained initial popularity in 2021 with the “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” singles, the latter remixed by Burna Boy.
His breakthrough came in March 2022 with the single “Kwaku the Traveller“, an autobiographical song about his mistakes and sacrifices, which topped the Ghanaian and Nigerian Apple Music charts. He released his debut album, The Villain I Never Was, in October 2022, followed by his second album, Iron Boy, on 3 April 2025. Sherif is praised for his vulnerability and candour, often examining his struggles without shame. His global success includes winning a BET award for best international flow and selling out multiple venues during his Iron Boy UK and North American tours.
33. Asake
Asake (born Ahmed Ololade on 13 January 1995) is a Nigerian musician, widely recognised as a singer, rapper, songwriter, actor, and dancer. He is also known by the moniker Mr. Money. Asake studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University.
His musical style is distinctive, combining Afrobeats, fuji, street pop, and Afro fusion, featuring an amalgamation of traditional Yoruba music and percussion. His vocals are primarily in Yoruba, blended with English and Nigerian Pidgin. His career saw a rapid acceleration starting in 2022 when he released the single “Omo Ope” and was subsequently signed by Olamide to YBNL Records. In July 2022, he also signed a distribution deal with Empire.
His debut album, Mr. Money with the Vibe (2022), broke the record for the biggest opening day for an African album on Apple Music at the time and debuted at number 66 on the Billboard 200 chart. His second album, Work of Art (2023), matched that chart position and was reported as the most streamed Nigerian album of 2023 so far by TurnTable charts. His third album, Lungu Boy (2024), set a new record for biggest opening day global streams for a Nigerian album on Spotify with 9.2 million streams.
Asake has earned global recognition, selling out the O2 Arena in London in August 2023. In September 2023, he became the first African artist to headline and sell out a concert at the Barclays Center in New York City. He has received accolades including an All Africa Music Award, two Headies awards, and a MOBO award, alongside nominations for BET and Grammy Awards. In February 2025, Asake launched his independent label, Giran Republic, marking his departure from YBNL Nation.
34. Master KG
Master KG (born Kgaogelo Moagi on 31 January 1996) is a South African DJ, singer, and record producer, originating from Tzaneen, Limpopo. He is known for pioneering the “Bolobedu” dance genre, which blends Afro house, electro house, and deep house with Bolobedu elements. Moagi began experimenting with music production at age thirteen and released his first single in 2016. His debut album, Skeleton Move (2018), received early success and won him an AFRIMA Award for Best Artist/Group in the African Electro category.
Master KG achieved global recognition with the single “Jerusalema” (released 29 November 2019), featuring South African vocalist Nomcebo Zikode. The gospel-influenced house track became an international hit during the pandemic, topping charts in numerous countries, including Switzerland, Belgium, and South Africa. The song sparked the viral #JerusalemaDanceChallenge. He has received global accolades for the song, notably winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2020.
Despite his success, Master KG has been involved in controversy surrounding the song, including a royalty dispute with Nomcebo Zikode over the percentage split of earnings. Master KG countered that the agreed split was 50/50 and that Zikode had sought a larger share. He continued his international profile with the 2021 collaboration “Shine Your Light,” alongside David Guetta and Akon.
35. Rema
Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper, born on 1 May 2000, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Rema is often described as “the prince of Afrobeats” and has pioneered the “Afrorave” subgenre, a style he describes as his own perception of Afrobeats, blending it with Arabian, Indian, and futuristic influences, alongside elements of trap and R&B.
Rema started his music career performing in churches and gained initial recognition after posting a viral freestyle online. He subsequently signed with D’Prince’s record label, Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records. His career breakthrough came in 2019 with the song “Dumebi” from his self-titled debut EP.
He achieved international acclaim with the 2022 single “Calm Down,” featured on his debut album, Rave & Roses (2022). The remix of “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the number one spot on the Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record 58 weeks. The enhanced version of his debut album, Rave & Roses Ultra, was the first African album to surpass two billion streams on Spotify.
Rema’s second studio album, HEIS, released in July 2024, continued his exploration of new territories, emphasising themes of self-actualisation and supremacy. The album title derives from the Greek word meaning “number one”, and it earned Rema his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Music Album. He is praised for expanding the horizons of African music and is considered an “emblem of Afrobeats global rise”.
36. Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr, born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter known for her genre-blending sound, rooted in Afrobeats and R&B. Born in Cotonou, Benin, and originally from Kwara State, Nigeria, she spent her childhood moving between Cotonou and Lagos, which helped her absorb myriad musical influences.
Starr was discovered in 2019 by record producer Don Jazzy after she posted an original song on Instagram. She was signed to Mavin Records in January 2021. After releasing her self-titled debut EP, she followed up with the album 19 & Dangerous. Her career vaulted to international success with her 2022 breakout single, “Rush,” which earned over 370 million Spotify streams.
“Rush” garnered Starr a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance, marking her as the first and youngest Nigerian female artist to be nominated in that category. She continued her upward trajectory with her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, which was the first by a female Nigerian artist to debut on the Billboard 200. In 2025, she made history at the MOBO Awards by becoming the first female to win both ‘Best African Music Act’ and ‘Best International Act’. Starr, who embodies an “irresistible confidence” and “audaciousness,” has amassed over 4 billion career streams and aims for global domination.
37. Tems
Tems, born Temilade Openiyi on 11 June 1995, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer from Lagos, Nigeria. She is known for her soulful, deep, and raw musical style, which fuses R&B and Afrobeats with introspective lyrics focusing on self-worth and vulnerability.
Her career gained momentum with the single “Try Me” in 2019. Her international prominence soared after her collaboration with Wizkid on the 2020 single “Essence,” a Grammy-nominated track that reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 following a remix featuring Justin Bieber. Tems achieved massive global acclaim when she was featured on Future’s single “Wait for U” in 2022, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100. This achievement earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, marking her as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy in that category.
Tems has collaborated with international megastars, including Drake (on “Fountains”) and Beyoncé (on the Renaissance album). She also contributed to the Marvel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, covering “No Woman, No Cry” and co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up”.
In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, which charted in the UK, Netherlands, and Switzerland and was supported by a global tour. In 2025, she won a second Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me JeJe”. Tems has also received a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards, and three Soul Train Music Awards. She also became the first African woman to have part ownership in a Major League Soccer team (San Diego FC) in 2025.
38. Eddy Kenzo
Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, professionally known as Eddy Kenzo, is a Ugandan singer and music executive born on 25 December 1989, in Masaka, Uganda. His early life was marked by hardship; he was orphaned around the age of five and spent about 13 years living primarily on the streets of Masaka and Kampala. Initially, he aspired to be a professional footballer.
Kenzo began his musical career in 2008 and rose to prominence locally after the release of his single, “Stamina,” in 2010. He established his label, Big Talent Entertainment, in 2011. His career reached international heights in 2014 following the release of his hit single, “Sitya Loss,” and its accompanying viral video featuring the Ghetto Kids dance troupe.
A major achievement came in June 2015 when Kenzo became the first East African artist to win a BET Award (Viewer’s Choice Best New International Artist). He continued to receive accolades, winning a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award in 2018. His collaboration “Gimme Love” with Matt B earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Performance in 2022, making him the first Ugandan artist working and living in Uganda to receive such a nomination.
Kenzo is also involved in philanthropy, having founded the Eddy Kenzo Foundation to support nursing mothers and raise funds for children with HIV. In August 2024, he was appointed the Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives by President Yoweri Museveni. Kenzo has a net worth of $5 million.
39. Patoranking
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian Afrobeats and reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. He was born on 27 May 1990, in Ijegun-Egba, Lagos, Nigeria, and has family roots in Onicha, Ebonyi State. Patoranking, who often uses music to convey strong social messages, started his performing arts career as a street jam and carnival dancer. He cites musical influences such as Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and Lucky Dube.
His career gained significant momentum in 2013 with the release of the breakthrough single “Alubarika” (meaning “God’s Blessings”), which featured Timaya. In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released “Girlie O,” a single that put him in the limelight. The widely acclaimed remix of “Girlie O” featured Tiwa Savage. Patoranking later signed a distribution deal with VP Records in 2015.
His debut studio album, God Over Everything (2016), debuted at number four on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. He followed this success with Wilmer (2019), named after his first daughter, which debuted at number five on the same chart. Patoranking has also released the albums Three (2020) and World Best (2023).
40. Oumou Sangaré
Oumou Sangaré (born 25 February 1968, in Bamako, Mali) is a celebrated Malian singer, composer, and songwriter, often referred to as “The Songbird of Wassoulou”. She performs the Wassoulou genre, a style of West African traditional music rooted in the instrumental and vocal traditions of rural southern Mali. Sangaré began singing in the streets to help her mother and won an inter-kindergarten singing competition at age five, performing before thousands. She undertook her first international tour at 16.
Her debut album, Moussoulou (1990), was an unprecedented West African hit, selling over 200,000 copies, confirming her status as a star by age 21. Sangaré is known globally as a powerful voice and feminist icon whose music carries revolutionary messages. Her songs frequently contest Mali’s patriarchal society, addressing issues such as arranged marriage, polygamy, and female submission.
She is a Grammy winner (for a collaboration on Herbie Hancock’s Imagine) and has served as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the FAO. In 2024, she was awarded the Rolf Schock Prize in Musical Arts for her pioneering music-making. Her recent album, Timbuktu (2022), blends traditional West African instruments like the kamele ngoni with blues and rock sounds. Sangaré also utilizes her prominence as a businesswoman, owning the Hotel Wassoulou in Bamako, to show women they can achieve social and economic independence through work.
41. Nasty C
The acclaimed South African rapper Nasty C, whose birth name is Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, was born on 11 February 1997, in Diepkloof, Soweto, Johannesburg. After his mother passed away when he was 11 months old, he was raised by his father, David MaviyoNgcobo. Influenced by his brother, he began rapping at the age of nine.
Nasty C made his mixed debut tape “One Kid a Thousand Coffins” in 2012. He quickly rose to prominence as the “boy wonder” of South African hip-hop with his 2015 generational hit Juice Back. By age 24, he had achieved an astounding amount, successfully turning international heads. His extensive catalogue includes the debut album Bad Hair, the celebrated project Strings and Bling, and Zulu Man With Some Power. He is known for high-profile international collaborations, including King featuring A$AP Ferg and They Don’t with T.I..
Nasty C has since embraced an era of liberation, marked by a shift towards a more honest and conversational lyrical style, evident on his album I Love It Here. He is also a family man, often sharing moments with his partner, Sammie Heavens, and their son. He recently released his 16-track album, Free, which is his first independently released album following his departure from Universal Music Group. Beyond music, Nasty C is an entrepreneur who runs his own label, Tall Racks Records, and secures major endorsement deals with brands like Puma, Red Bull, and Mercedes-Benz.
Detailed Look at the Top 5 Powerhouses:
- No. 1: Chinua Achebe: The ranking was famously topped by the celebrated Nigerian novelist, author of Things Fall Apart. This bold choice emphasized that literary and intellectual contributions outweighed sheer popularity or box-office appeal in determining the highest influence.
- No. 3: Didier Drogba: Drogba was recognized as an Ivorian soccer sensation. Drogba’s influence extended beyond the pitch, as he used his platform for social change. His manager, Jada Pollock (Jada P), later became instrumental in managing Nigerian superstar Wizkid, showing the crossover power of influential teams. Drogba remains one of the most famous African celebrities.
- No. 5: Akon: Akon, a Senegalese-American hip-hop act, was singled out as one of the few celebrities at the time who boasted a six-figure following on social media, demonstrating his early recognition of the digital power necessary for climbing the 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa list. Beyond music, he is recognized for his massive business and charitable endeavours, having launched Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 and begun the development of Akon City in Senegal, scheduled for completion in 2028.
The Evolution of Power
The power measured by the 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa list in 2011 has since translated into explosive economic growth for the continent’s creative sector. This shift means today’s celebrity power is often intrinsically linked to massive, visible wealth accumulation and global entrepreneurship.
The Creative Economy as a Power Engine
The success of figures like Angélique Kidjo and Genevieve Nnaji paved the way for the current financial dominance of African stars. The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) produced throughout Africa have “enormous potential” and are distinguished by their diversity, youthful energy, and capacity to drive innovation.
- Nollywood’s Impact: Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, is the second-largest film producer globally by volume. It contributes approximately US$7.2 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP and provides direct employment to over 300,000 people. The Nigerian creative sector overall is projected to soar to a staggering worth of $15 billion by 2025 and has the potential to produce 2.7 million jobs by 2025.
- Music’s Global Rise: The music industry in Sub-Saharan Africa led global music industry expansion in 2023, recording a remarkable 24.7 percent increase in revenues, primarily driven by the rise in streaming services. This growth is largely fuelled by mega-stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid.
Angélique Kidjo noted the dramatic shift in professionalism among modern stars, contrasting their freedom with the 10-year contracts she faced earlier in her career. She stated that the new generation “sat back and learned from my experience, and the experiences of Youssou N’Dour, and Salif Keita. And they don’t want to take that road. They want to be free in their own right and they are right to be free”.
Final Takeoff: The Power of Investment
The historic 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa list provides an invaluable snapshot of what true influence looks like—a combination of artistic genius (Achebe), social contribution (Kebede), and undeniable talent (Drogba). The legacy of these figures is the economic behemoth we see today, where the African Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) are poised for massive growth.
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or creative, the lesson is clear: authentic talent is the first investment, but smart business is how you secure your legacy. Just like the stars of the past paved the way, the superstars of today, like Burna Boy, emphasize the need to diversify income, invest in assets, and build a global brand.
Don’t just observe the power; harness the economic momentum! Whether your goal is the creative freedom lauded by Angélique Kidjo or the business efficiency of a private jet, purchasing the tools for success—be it professional training, reliable technology, or building a strong online brand—is your ultimate power move. Africa’s digital landscape is growing rapidly, with platforms like TikTok reaching younger audiences and micro-influencers gaining prominence, offering vast opportunities for authentic storytelling and market reach. Invest in becoming the next influential figure to shape the continent’s future!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was the original list of the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa published?
The debut list of the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa was compiled and published by Forbes in 2011.
Who was ranked Number 1 on the 2011 list?
The Nigerian novelist and author Chinua Achebe was ranked Number 1. His top ranking emphasized the list’s value on cerebral and cultural clout.
What criteria were used to measure the influence for the 40 most powerful celebrities in africa list?
The ranking was determined by measuring media visibility (print, television, radio, and online), the number of web references on Google, and their general influence (clout) across the continent.
Why is the full list of the 40 most powerful celebrities in africa not available?
The original sources only explicitly rank the top few individuals (e.g., Chinua Achebe, Didier Drogba, Akon) and confirm the inclusion of several others (e.g., Angélique Kidjo, Koffi Olomidé) but do not provide the full sequence of all 40 names.
How has the power of African celebrities changed since the 2011 list?
Power has evolved from primarily cultural clout and artistic achievement (as measured in 2011) to include massive financial and entrepreneurial success. Today, African superstars are major drivers of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), with many displaying their wealth through assets like private jets, signifying global business dominance.