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The 20 Leaders Shaping Health Across Africa | 2025

This list recognizes African leaders who are shaping the continent’s health agenda in real time through institutional power, scientific leadership, policy reform, emergency response, manufacturing, regulation, financing, and accountability.

Dr. Ebere Okereke

Chief Program Officer, Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity

Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin

Executive Director, Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Mekdes Daba Feyssa

Minister of Health, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet

President and CEO, Vital Strategies Nigeria

Dr. John Nkengasong

Global Health Leader; Founding Director, Africa CDC Cameroon

Dr. Ahmed Ogwell

President and CEO, VillageReach Kenya

Fatima Hassan

Founder and Director, Health Justice Initiative South Africa

Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire

Regional Emergency Director, WHO African Region

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria

Dr. Ayoade Alakija

Board Chair, FIND; Ministerial Global Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance

Prof. Nicaise Ndembi

Deputy Director General and Regional Director for Africa, International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

Dr. Delese Mimi Darko

Director-General, African Medicines Agency Ghana

Prof. Tulio de Oliveira

Director, KRISP, South Africa

Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana

Minister of Health, Ministry of Health Rwanda

Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim

Associate Scientific Director, CAPRISA South Africa

Prof. Helen Rees

Founder and Executive Director, Wits RHI South Africa

Dr. Githinji Gitahi

Group Chief Executive Officer Amref Health Africa

Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi

WHO Regional Director for Africa

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu

Executive Director WHO Health Emergencies Programme

Dr. Jean Kaseya

Director-General, Africa CDC