The late Christian author, Leonard Ravenhill once wrote ”the
opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the
opportunity,” and some of the business moguls and entrepreneurs, emerging
political leaders, rising corporate titans from Africa are seizing the
opportunity of turning the continent around. The 2014 list of the “10 Most
Powerful Men In Africa” follows the inaugural list of The 10 Youngest Power Men
In Africa in 2011. Much like the annual The 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa
list, the 2014 list of the “10 Most Powerful Men In Africa” distinguishes and
celebrates the accomplishments of Africa’s most outstanding male game changers.
opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the
opportunity,” and some of the business moguls and entrepreneurs, emerging
political leaders, rising corporate titans from Africa are seizing the
opportunity of turning the continent around. The 2014 list of the “10 Most
Powerful Men In Africa” follows the inaugural list of The 10 Youngest Power Men
In Africa in 2011. Much like the annual The 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa
list, the 2014 list of the “10 Most Powerful Men In Africa” distinguishes and
celebrates the accomplishments of Africa’s most outstanding male game changers.
Our list is distinctive in that it identifies African men
who are innovative, courageous, daring and often disruptive in their fields.
The list highlights African entrepreneurs, corporate executives, social
entrepreneurs, political and civil leaders who are changing the continent and
the world around them, often times without much fanfare. Africa’s emerging
power brokers – meet the 10 powerful African men who are carving a name for
themselves and simultaneously changing their communities and the continent.
who are innovative, courageous, daring and often disruptive in their fields.
The list highlights African entrepreneurs, corporate executives, social
entrepreneurs, political and civil leaders who are changing the continent and
the world around them, often times without much fanfare. Africa’s emerging
power brokers – meet the 10 powerful African men who are carving a name for
themselves and simultaneously changing their communities and the continent.
January Makamba, Tanzania, Deputy Minister of Communication,
Science & Technology and Member of Parliament
Science & Technology and Member of Parliament
Makamba is one of Tanzania‘s rising stars in government. He
is currently the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology and
is rumored to run for President in 2015. Makamba is a Member of Parliament for
Bumbuli constituency in the National Assembly of Tanzania. Before running for
the Bumbuli parliamentary seat, Makamba was aide to Tanzanian President Jakaya
Kikwete for 5 years. Named Young Global Leader class of 2012 by the World
Economic Forum, Makamba comes from a political family; his father, Yusuf
Makamba was Secretary General of the ruling CCM party under Julius Nyerere.
is currently the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology and
is rumored to run for President in 2015. Makamba is a Member of Parliament for
Bumbuli constituency in the National Assembly of Tanzania. Before running for
the Bumbuli parliamentary seat, Makamba was aide to Tanzanian President Jakaya
Kikwete for 5 years. Named Young Global Leader class of 2012 by the World
Economic Forum, Makamba comes from a political family; his father, Yusuf
Makamba was Secretary General of the ruling CCM party under Julius Nyerere.
Chinedu Echeruo, Nigeria, Tech Entrepreneur & Founder of
Hopstop.com and Tripology.com
Hopstop.com and Tripology.com
Echeruo is a Tech entrepreneur and founder of HopStop.com
which he reportedly sold to Apple in the “billion” dollar range. HopStop.com is
a mobile and online application that provides mass transit directions
door-to-door mass transit, taxi, walking, biking and hourly car rental
directions in major metropolitan markets throughout the U.S., Canada, U.K,
France, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. In 2001, HopStop was named one of the
100 fastest growing companies in the US by Inc. magazine. Chinedu also founded
Tripology.com, an interactive travel referral service focused on connecting
travelers with travel specialists which was later acquired by USA Today Travel
Media Group. Echeruo obtained an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S
from Syracuse University.
which he reportedly sold to Apple in the “billion” dollar range. HopStop.com is
a mobile and online application that provides mass transit directions
door-to-door mass transit, taxi, walking, biking and hourly car rental
directions in major metropolitan markets throughout the U.S., Canada, U.K,
France, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. In 2001, HopStop was named one of the
100 fastest growing companies in the US by Inc. magazine. Chinedu also founded
Tripology.com, an interactive travel referral service focused on connecting
travelers with travel specialists which was later acquired by USA Today Travel
Media Group. Echeruo obtained an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S
from Syracuse University.
Mohammed Dewji, Tanzania, Group Chief Executive Officer of
Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited
Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited
Dewji is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Mohammed
Enterprises Tanzania Limited (MeTL) and at 39 is the youngest member of the
Forbes’ Africa’s 50 Richest list with an estimated networth of USD $500
million. The MeTL Group began as a family business, a small trading company
which Mohammed transformed into one of
the largest industrial conglomerates in East Africa, with interests ranging
from real estate, agriculture, finance, distribution and manufacturing. The
company employs more than 24,000 people across Tanzania and according to Dewji,
generates annual revenues of USD$1.3 billion. Dewji has been a Member of
Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania since 2005. Dewji graduated
from Georgetown University with a degree in International Business and Finance
with a minor in Theology.
Enterprises Tanzania Limited (MeTL) and at 39 is the youngest member of the
Forbes’ Africa’s 50 Richest list with an estimated networth of USD $500
million. The MeTL Group began as a family business, a small trading company
which Mohammed transformed into one of
the largest industrial conglomerates in East Africa, with interests ranging
from real estate, agriculture, finance, distribution and manufacturing. The
company employs more than 24,000 people across Tanzania and according to Dewji,
generates annual revenues of USD$1.3 billion. Dewji has been a Member of
Parliament in the National Assembly of Tanzania since 2005. Dewji graduated
from Georgetown University with a degree in International Business and Finance
with a minor in Theology.
Kola Karim, Nigeria, Group Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of Shoreline Energy International
Executive Officer of Shoreline Energy International
Karim is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Shoreline Energy International, a Nigerian conglomerate with
interests that span oil & gas, power generation, engineering, commodities
trading, infrastructure and construction across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2012,
Shoreline Energy partnered with U.K-based Heritage Oil in acquiring a stake in
OML 30, an oilfield asset in Nigeria for a reported $850 million. An avid polo
player, Karim was named Young Global Leader class of 2008 by the World Economic
Forum.
Officer of Shoreline Energy International, a Nigerian conglomerate with
interests that span oil & gas, power generation, engineering, commodities
trading, infrastructure and construction across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2012,
Shoreline Energy partnered with U.K-based Heritage Oil in acquiring a stake in
OML 30, an oilfield asset in Nigeria for a reported $850 million. An avid polo
player, Karim was named Young Global Leader class of 2008 by the World Economic
Forum.
Ashish Thakkar, Uganda, Founder and Managing Director of
Mara Group, Mara Foundation and Mara Online
Mara Group, Mara Foundation and Mara Online
Thakkar is the Founder and Managing Director of Mara Group,
a diversified conglomerate with approximately USD $100 million in revenues,
according to Thakkar. The group operates in operates in 19 of the 46 sub-Saharan
African nations, as well as in India and the United Arab Emirates.
Headquartered in Dubai, Mara Group participates in sectors ranging from
financial services, information and communications technology, renewable
energy, real estate and tourism. Thakkar also launched Mara Online, a portfolio
of online and mobile platforms that allow users to communicate, interact and
collaborate with each other. The serial entrepreneur also serves on the
advisory panels to the Presidents of Tanzania and Uganda and runs Mara
Foundation, a social enterprise that mentors young African entrepreneurs. He
signed up for Virgin Galactic‘s first mission to space.
a diversified conglomerate with approximately USD $100 million in revenues,
according to Thakkar. The group operates in operates in 19 of the 46 sub-Saharan
African nations, as well as in India and the United Arab Emirates.
Headquartered in Dubai, Mara Group participates in sectors ranging from
financial services, information and communications technology, renewable
energy, real estate and tourism. Thakkar also launched Mara Online, a portfolio
of online and mobile platforms that allow users to communicate, interact and
collaborate with each other. The serial entrepreneur also serves on the
advisory panels to the Presidents of Tanzania and Uganda and runs Mara
Foundation, a social enterprise that mentors young African entrepreneurs. He
signed up for Virgin Galactic‘s first mission to space.
Mamadou Toure, Cameroon, Founder and Executive Director of
Africa 2.0
Africa 2.0
Toure is the founder and Executive Director of Africa 2.0,
an advocacy group of young and emerging leaders from across the continent and
the diaspora who have a collective vision for Africa. The vision of the pan-African organization is
finding sustainable solutions to the most pressing economic and social issues
Africans face today. As the Managing Director with GE Africa, Toure leads a
regional Capital Markets team across Sub-Saharan Africa and is also responsible
for developing market and competitors’ analysis across the region. Toure
received a distinction as “New Leader for Tomorrow” by the Crans Montana Forum
in 2011.
an advocacy group of young and emerging leaders from across the continent and
the diaspora who have a collective vision for Africa. The vision of the pan-African organization is
finding sustainable solutions to the most pressing economic and social issues
Africans face today. As the Managing Director with GE Africa, Toure leads a
regional Capital Markets team across Sub-Saharan Africa and is also responsible
for developing market and competitors’ analysis across the region. Toure
received a distinction as “New Leader for Tomorrow” by the Crans Montana Forum
in 2011.
Amadou Mahtar Ba, Senegal, Founder and Chief Executive
Officer of the African Media Initiative
Officer of the African Media Initiative
Mahtar Ba is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the
African Media Initiative (AMI), a pan-African organization aimed at
strengthening the media sector in Africa. Ba is also a co-founder and Chairman
of AllAfrica Global Media, Inc – owner and operator of AllAfrica.com, one of
the largest distributor of African news and information worldwide. For three
years in a row, Mahtar Ba has been selected as one of the 100 Most Influential
Africans by the New African Magazine, in 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. He
was also listed in the top 500 Africans contributing to the rise of the continent
by the Africa24 magazine published in March, 2011.
African Media Initiative (AMI), a pan-African organization aimed at
strengthening the media sector in Africa. Ba is also a co-founder and Chairman
of AllAfrica Global Media, Inc – owner and operator of AllAfrica.com, one of
the largest distributor of African news and information worldwide. For three
years in a row, Mahtar Ba has been selected as one of the 100 Most Influential
Africans by the New African Magazine, in 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. He
was also listed in the top 500 Africans contributing to the rise of the continent
by the Africa24 magazine published in March, 2011.
Simdul Shagaya, Nigeria – Tech Entrepreneur and Founder of
Konga.com and DealDey.com
Konga.com and DealDey.com
Shagaya is the founder and CEO of Konga.com, Nigeria’s
largest online shopping portal and DealDey spinoff site. Konga.com, Africa’s
answer to Amazon.com, is an e-commerce platform that sells goods and services
directly to consumers. Shagaya is also the founder & Executive Chairman of
DealDey Limited, which offers services and products at discounted prices. In
2013 Shagaya won the All Africa Business Leaders Awards’ Entrepreneur of the
Year award. HumanIPO selected Konga.com as one of the African technology startups
of 2013. Shagaya is a graduate of George Washington University, Dartmouth
College and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
largest online shopping portal and DealDey spinoff site. Konga.com, Africa’s
answer to Amazon.com, is an e-commerce platform that sells goods and services
directly to consumers. Shagaya is also the founder & Executive Chairman of
DealDey Limited, which offers services and products at discounted prices. In
2013 Shagaya won the All Africa Business Leaders Awards’ Entrepreneur of the
Year award. HumanIPO selected Konga.com as one of the African technology startups
of 2013. Shagaya is a graduate of George Washington University, Dartmouth
College and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Ben Magara, Zimbabwe,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Lonmin
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Lonmin
Recently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and as a
Director of Lonmin, the world’s third-largest platinum mining company, Magara
is tasked with improving industrial relations and guiding the platinum miner’s
turnaround strategy after strikes last year triggered violence which killed 46
people including 34 strikers shot dead by police in a single day at its
Marikana mine. With a mining career that spans 26 years, Magara was previously
the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo Coal South Africa responsible for Anglo
American total coal business in South Africa and revenues of around USD $2
billion. Magara, who speaks seven languages, has a degree in Mining Engineering
from the University of Zimbabwe.
Director of Lonmin, the world’s third-largest platinum mining company, Magara
is tasked with improving industrial relations and guiding the platinum miner’s
turnaround strategy after strikes last year triggered violence which killed 46
people including 34 strikers shot dead by police in a single day at its
Marikana mine. With a mining career that spans 26 years, Magara was previously
the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo Coal South Africa responsible for Anglo
American total coal business in South Africa and revenues of around USD $2
billion. Magara, who speaks seven languages, has a degree in Mining Engineering
from the University of Zimbabwe.
Komla Dumor, Ghana, Lead Presenter on “Focus On Africa” and
BBC World News’ European morning segment
BBC World News’ European morning segment
In memoriam. The highly-respected presenter of “Focus on
Africa”, BBC’s flagship and first-ever dedicated daily TV news show on BBC
World News died of cardiac arrest on
January 18 earlier this year at his home in London. Dumor, who was named one of
“100 Most Influential Africans” in 2013 by New African magazine, had
“established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global
broadcasting.”As a lead presenter for BBC World, Dumor had considerable
influence on how the continent is covered.
Africa”, BBC’s flagship and first-ever dedicated daily TV news show on BBC
World News died of cardiac arrest on
January 18 earlier this year at his home in London. Dumor, who was named one of
“100 Most Influential Africans” in 2013 by New African magazine, had
“established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global
broadcasting.”As a lead presenter for BBC World, Dumor had considerable
influence on how the continent is covered.
He leaves behind a powerful and enduring legacy; how the
continent is reported. “There’s so much more to tell about Africa than the
usual stories about war, famine and disease.”
continent is reported. “There’s so much more to tell about Africa than the
usual stories about war, famine and disease.”
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