New African Magazine: Tinubu, others named among 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024

The New African magazine has released its 2024 list of the 100 most influential Africans, including Aliko Dangote, Wale Tinubu, Ademola Lookman and Kemi Badenoch.

The magazine highlighted individuals who have significantly impacted various sectors, including civil society, business, politics, sports, and science in 2024.

This edition of the magazine emphasizes the achievements of these remarkable figures both on the African continent and globally.

As reported, the magazine’s editor, Anver Versi, expressed the necessity of the recognition in today’s polarized world.

He stated, “I cannot recall the world being so polarized, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.”

According to Versi, the magazine aims to showcase stories that inspire resilience and ingenuity, reflecting the enduring spirit of Africa.

The list includes notable names from diverse fields.

In the Politics and Public Service Category, individuals like Kemi Badenoch, Muhammad Ali Pate, and Yemi Osinbajo stood out.

The Business Category featured prominent business leaders such as Aliko Dangote and Wale Tinubu.

In the realm of Civil Society, figures like Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli and Mohamed Adow advocate for social change and humanitarian efforts stood out.

The Science and Academia Section highlighted influential scholars and researchers.

Individuals like Joy Buolamwini and Tshilidzi Marwala were listed for contributing to knowledge and technology advancement.

Opinion Shapers on the list include thought leaders such as Vera Songwe and Carlos Lopes.

The Creative Category celebrates artists and cultural figures like Idris Elba and Ayra Starr.

The magazine stated that their work enriches African culture and showcases the continent’s diversity and creativity on the global stage.

In sports, athletes such as Ademola Lookman and Ruth Chepng’etich exemplify excellence and dedication.

However, reports stated that this year’s list not only honors individual accomplishments but also reflects the collective progress of Africa as a whole.

About New African Magazine

New African Magazine, originally founded as African Development in 1966, has undergone several transformations throughout its history.

In 1977, it briefly adopted the name New African Development before becoming New African in 1978.

The rebranding marked a significant shift in the magazine’s identity and focus.

The magazine has served as a platform for promoting discussions on various topics relevant to Africa, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.

IC Publishing, the organization behind New African, has taken an active role in organizing trade fairs and conferences, especially for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Notably, the COMESA Investment Forum meetings, held in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have highlighted pro-Chinese narratives within their programming.

Mission

As part of its mission to foster economic growth, New African has collaborated closely with COMESA’s financial entity, the Preferential Trade Area Bank (PTA Bank).

The bank is pivotal in managing trade agreements and investment portfolios across the region.

China stands as the largest non-regional shareholder in the bank, making it a significant player in African trade dynamics.

In addition to its commitment to regional trade initiatives, IC Publishing has also established the AFRICASEA Business Forum.

Reports had it that the annual conference focuses on enhancing trade relationships between Africa and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the growing economic ties between these regions.

Recognizing the diverse linguistic landscape of Africa, IC Publications launched a French-language edition of New African in 2007.

This edition, titled Le Magazine De l’Afrique (“The Magazine of Africa”), caters specifically to the Francophone audience, providing insights and content tailored to those countries and cultures.

The editorial leadership of New African reflects the magazine’s evolving mission and vision over the decades.

Richard Hall served as the editor director from March to July 1970, with Alan Rake acting as editor during that same period.

Following this, Rake took on the editorial role again in August 1970.

By 1977, Rake became the managing editor with Sam Uba serving as editor.

In 1978, David Coetzee became the executive director for several months and handed over the editorial reins to Peter Enahoro, who later became editor-publisher from January to October 1980.

M. Mlamali Adam succeeded him as editor-in-chief in November of the same year.

The editorial team continued to change over the years, with Alan Rake serving as acting editor-in-chief in early 1981.

As the magazine evolved, it maintained a steady editorial presence.

Baffour Ankomah served as deputy editor and eventually succeeded Rake as editor-in-chief in 1995.

Ankomah continued to contribute to the magazine, becoming the editor for the July/August 1999 issue.

The most recent change in leadership came in July/August 2018 when Anver Versi took over as editor.

Through its continuous evolution and adaptability, New African Magazine has established itself as a vital source of information and analysis about Africa.

The magazine not only informs its readers but also engages them in broader conversations about Africa’s role in the global landscape.

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