Every country in Africa has that person whose name travels faster than their passport. They are public figures who shape the world’s perception of their nation.
In Africa, influence shows up in many forms: music that shifts global soundscapes, footballers who carry national pride on their backs, and innovators whose ideas redefine entire industries. 
This list of the most influential Africans is based on social media reach, global influence, and Google searches.
1. Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Burna Boy is one of Africa’s most influential music artists. He is a global sensation. With 13 Grammy nominations and one win, he has redefined how African music is heard and respected worldwide.
2. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
The 2025 African Player of the Year is the most influential person in Morocco. From the streets of Madrid to the field of Paris Saint-Germain, his speed on the pitch and discipline tell a story of talent meeting hard work.
Hakimi is a proud Moroccan who carries his roots with him everywhere he goes.
3. Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Senegalese professional footballer Sadio Mané is one of Africa’s best ever. He has played for clubs like Liverpool (winning the Premier League and Champions League) and currently plays for Al-Nassr.
He is also a philanthropist in Senegal, funding schools, hospitals and community projects.
4. Elon Musk (South Africa)
Elon Musk is a South African-born billionaire entrepreneur best known as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He is known for contributing to the major advances in electric vehicles, space exploration, and tech innovations.
5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
The Egyptian professional footballer plays for the Liverpool club and is regarded as one of Africa’s greatest players ever.
He is popular and loved among football fans for his goal-scoring records and winning the Premier and Champions League matches a couple of times. Salah is an icon for African football.
ALSO READ: The Greatest Footballers Come From 10 Countries – See Only African Country In The List
6. Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter and one of Africa’s biggest music stars.
He founded WCB Wasafi, a record label known for globalising Bongo Flava, a Tanzanian music genre, and producing massive hits across Africa.
7. Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian rapper and songwriter widely regarded as one of Ghana’s greatest rap artists.
He is known for his rapid-fire rap in Twi and for winning major awards, including a BET award.
8. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
The retired Cameroonian footballer is regarded as one of the greatest strikers in Africa.
He won the UEFA Champions League three times, was CAF African Footballer of the Year four times, and later became president of the Cameroon Football Federation.
9. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Drogba is also a retired Ivorian footballer and one of the best players Chelsea had. He won the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and captained the Ivory Coast national team for years.
10. Eluid Kipchoge (Kenya)
Two-time Olympic marathon champion and the first human to run a marathon in under two hours is Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge is a Kenyan long-distance runner, widely referred to as the greatest marathoner of all time.
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