Here are Africa's youngest and oldest presidents

By Standard Checkpoint | 2yrs ago | 3 min read

Top 5 youngest Presidents in Africa 1. Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia, 46yrs)

**President Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.** [AP Photo]

Born on August 15,1976 Became Prime Minister of Ethiopia on April 2, 2018. Was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2019 Joined army when he was 15 Holds a PhD in Peace and Security 2. Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar, 48 yrs)

**President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar.** [AP Photo]

Has been the President of Madagascar since 2019. Born on May 30, 1974 Served as President of a transitional administration until 2014 after the 2009 coup Was mayor of Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, for one year 3. Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi, 53 yrs)

**President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi (centre) when he visited Kenya on May 31, 2021.** [PSCU]

Began his seven-year term on June 18, 2020 Born in 1968 Was law student at University of Burundi when student inter-ethnic violence worsened Started his political career with significant support from Hutu ethnic group Was minister of the Interior and Public Security from 2006 to 2007 4. Mswati III (Eswatini, 54 yrs)

Has been King of Swaziland since he took the throne from his father, Sobhuza II. Born April 19,1968 He is the head of the Swazi Royal Family. Was crowned King on April 25, 1986. Co-rules the nation as an absolute king alongside his mother, Ntombi Tfwala He is a polygamist with 15 wives 5. William Ruto (Kenya, 55 yrs)

**President-Elect William Ruto at the Deputy President Residence in Karen, Nairobi.** [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Elected Kenya's fifth president on August 15, 2022 Born December 21, 1966 Will displace Liberia's George Weah to become fifth youngest President in Africa upon being sworn in on September 13, 2022 Has served for two terms as deputy President to outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta Will become youngest president of Kenya upon being sworn in 6. George Weah (Liberia, 55 yrs)

**President George Weah of Liberia.** [File]

Was a former professional footballer Born October 1, 1966 Won 2017 election after defeating Vice President Joseph Boaka. First ex-pro footballer from an African nation to be president. 7. Faure Gnassingbe (Togo, 56 yrs)

**Togo President Faure Gnassingbe and Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.** [File]

Has been President of Togo since May 4, 2005. Was appointed to government by his father, president Gnassingbe Eyadema who died in 2005 Born June 6, 1966 He won presidential election on April 24, 2005 Was re-elected for a second term in 2010. Currently serving third term Top 5 oldest Presidents in Africa 1. Paul Biya (Cameroon, 89 yrs)

**President Paul Biya of Cameroon.** [AP Photo]

Has been the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. Born February 13, 1933, he is the oldest president in Africa. At 39 years and 6 months in power, he is the second-longest ruling president in Africa after Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea (over 40 years) He is 7th on the list of top 10 oldest presidents in the world. 2. Hage Gottfried Geingob (Namibia, 81 yrs)

**President Hage Gottfried Geingob of Namibia.** [AP Photo]

Serving as third president of Namibia since 21 March 2015. Born August 3, 1941 Was the first Prime Minister of Namibia from 1990 to 2002 Served as prime minister again from 2012 to 2015 3. Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast, 80 yrs)

**President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast.** [AP Photo]

Has been the President of Ivory Coast since 2010 Born January 1, 1942 Ouattara defeated incumbent Laurent Gbagbo Was sworn in for his third term on December 14, 2020 4.Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo (Equitorial Guinea, 79 yrs)

**President Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo of Equitorial Guinea.** [AP Photo]

Has been President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979 Ousted his uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema, in August 1979 military coup. He has been in office for 41 years. The longest-serving president in Africa 5. Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe, 79 yrs)

**President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.** [File]

Serving as the third President of Zimbabwe since November 2017 Longtime ally of his predecessor Robert Mugabe Senior member of the ruling ZANU-PF party Served as First Vice President of Zimbabwe from 2014 until his dismissal in 2017

Compiled by Standard Checkpoint