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Africa is home to several leaders who have been in power for decades, shaping their nations’ histories and navigating the rapid changes in technology and society. Here’s a look at some of the continent’s oldest leaders:
- Paul Biya (Cameroon) – 91 Years Old
Born on February 13, 1933, Paul Biya has been the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. He is the second-longest serving president in Africa and the longest-serving non-royal leader in the world. Before his presidency, Biya was the Prime Minister from 1975 to 1982. - Nangolo Mbumba (Namibia) – 83 Years Old
Born on August 15, 1941, Nangolo Mbumba became the President of Namibia in 2024 following the death of Hage Geingob. Previously, he served as Vice-President since 2018 and has indicated he does not plan to run for election. - Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast) – 82 Years Old
Alassane Ouattara, born on January 1, 1942, has been President of Ivory Coast since 2010. As a former economist, he has guided the country through political instability and economic recovery. - Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) – 82 Years Old
Teodoro Obiang, born on June 5, 1942, has been in power since 1982, making him one of the longest-serving leaders globally. His over 40 years in office have been marked by controversies surrounding governance and human rights. - Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe) – 82 Years Old
Born on September 15, 1942, Mnangagwa became Zimbabwe’s third president in 2017 after the resignation of Robert Mugabe. - Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana) – 80 Years Old
Born on March 29, 1944, Nana Akufo-Addo has been President of Ghana since 2017 and has held significant positions in the government, including Attorney General and Minister for Foreign Affairs. - Joseph Boakai (Liberia) – 79 Years Old
Joseph Boakai, born on November 30, 1944, is Liberia’s current President, having won the 2023 election against George Weah. He previously served as Vice-President from 2006 to 2018. - Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) – 80 Years Old
Born on September 15, 1944, Museveni has been Uganda’s President since 1986. He is known for his autocratic leadership style and remains a dominant figure in Ugandan politics. - Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Algeria) – 78 Years Old
Born on November 17, 1945, Tebboune has served as Algeria’s President since December 2019. He is also the Minister of Defense, leading the country during a period of political and social transformation. - Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) – 76 Years Old
Born on November 27, 1946, Guelleh has been President of Djibouti since 1999, making him one of the longest-serving leaders on the continent. - Bola Tinubu (Nigeria) – 72 Years Old
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, born on March 29, 1952, became Nigeria’s 16th president in 2023. Before his presidency, he was the Governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 and is known for his strategic coalition-building in Nigerian politics.
These leaders have played significant roles in their nations, and their longevity in power often reflects a complex mix of political, social, and economic factors.