Top 10 Most Educated Presidents in Africa

Being a good leader means being smart and having a good education. A long time ago, wise people thought that leaders who learned a lot did a better job than those who didn’t. In some parts of Africa, not many people know how to read and write, but some African leaders are very well-educated. Education is important for being a leader, but in Africa, it doesn’t always have the same effect. Africa has had some really great leaders who made a big difference.

This article talks about the top 10 African presidents who were well-educated and did good things for their countries.

Here Are The Top 10 Most Educated Presidents in Africa

This table shows a list of presidents from different countries who are very well-educated. They have spent a lot of time learning and studying to become knowledgeable leaders.

10. Samia Suluhu Hassan

Samia Suluhu Hassan is the 10th most educated president in Africa. She was born on January 27, 1960, in Makunduchi, Zanzibar. She belongs to the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and became Tanzania’s sixth president, and its first female president, on March 19, 2021, after President John Magufuli passed away.

President Samia finished high school in 1977 and started working. Later, she took some short courses while working part-time. In 1986, she graduated from the Institute of Development Management (now Mzumbe University) with an advanced diploma in public administration.

President Samia also went to the University of Manchester and got a diploma in economics. She got her MSc in Community Economic Development through a program with the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University.

9. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of Somalia, is one of the most educated Presidents in Africa. He was born on November 29, 1955, in Jalalaqsi, Somalia. Hassan is a Somali politician who has been serving as Somalia’s president since May 2022. He is also the founder and current leader of the Union for Peace and Development Party. He became President on May 15, 2022, defeating the previous president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo. Prior to this, he held the same position from 2012 to 2017.

When he was young, Hassan went to school in Jalalaqsi, where he grew up. Then, he moved to the capital city of Somalia, Mogadishu, and studied at the Somali National University for three years. He got a diploma in technology there.

After that, Hassan went to India and went to a university called Bhopal University (now Barkatullah University). He got a master’s degree in technical education from there. He also went to Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, USA, where he took three special classes on mediation, helping people heal from trauma, and creating training programs that are focused on the learners.

Right now, Hassan is working towards getting a Ph.D. at the same university in the United States.

8. Hage Geingob

Hage Gottfried Geingob is currently the President of Namibia, and he has been in this role since March 21, 2015. Before that, he was the very first Prime Minister of Namibia from March 21, 1990, to August 28, 2002. Then, he became Prime Minister again from December 4, 2012, until he became President in 2015. In between, from 2008 to 2012, he was the Minister of Trade and Industry.

He went to school in New York, where he got a Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in International Relations from The New School.

In November 2014, he won the presidential election in Namibia with a big victory. In November 2017, he became the third president of the SWAPO party, winning by a lot during the party’s 6th Congress. After that, in August 2018, he was the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community for one year.

7. Mulatu Teshome

Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, the former Governor of Ethiopia, stands out as one of the most highly educated presidents in Africa. His journey from his birthplace in Arjo, Welega Province, to the pinnacle of Ethiopian politics is a remarkable tale of academic achievement.

Mulatu’s educational path took him to China, where he pursued his studies in philosophy of political economy at Peking University. There, he earned his bachelor’s degree and went on to obtain a doctorate in international law. His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there.

In 1990, Mulatu furthered his academic pursuits by earning a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. His dedication to education is evident in his teaching experience at various foreign universities and institutions, as noted by Speaker Abadula Gemeda.

6. Nana Akufo-Addo

Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, ranks sixth on the list of the most educated presidents in Africa. He was born on March 29, 1944, in Swalaba, a part of Accra, Ghana, to a well-known Ghanaian royal and political family. His parents were Adeline and Edward Akuffo-Addo.

Nana began his early schooling at the Government Boys School in Adabraka and later attended Rowe Road School in Accra Central. He then traveled to England to study for his O-Level and A-Level exams at Lancing College in Sussex. He started a course in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at New College, Oxford, but left soon after. In 1967, he earned a BSc (Econ) degree.

5. George Weah

George Weah, a former professional football player, transitioned into politics and was elected to office in 2018 after serving as a Senator. Weah made this transition following his retirement from international football in 2003, having achieved numerous successes in the sport. Let’s take a look at his educational background.

Weah’s academic qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

4. Alassane Ouattara

Alassane Ouattara is one of the most educated presidents in Africa. He was born on January 1, 1942, in Dimbokro, French West Africa. He got a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After that, he earned his master’s degree in economics in 1967 and a Ph.D. in economics in 1972 from the University of Pennsylvania.

Alassane Dramane Ouattara, born on January 1, 1942, is an Ivorian politician. He has been the President of Ivory Coast since 2010.

3. Moeketsi Majoro

Moeketsi Majoro, a Mosotho economist and politician, was born on 3 November 1961 in Tsikoane, Leribe District, Basutoland. He earned a BA degree in Economics from the National University of Lesotho. He also obtained a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University.

Majoro served as the sixth prime minister of Lesotho from May 2020 to October 2022. Before that, he was the minister of Finance in Tom Thabane’s cabinet from 2017 to 2020. Since his election in 2017, Majoro has represented the Thetsane Constituency No. 33 in the National Assembly. He previously served as a senator and was the minister of Development Planning from 2013 to 2015. Majoro is a member of the All Basotho Convention (ABC).

2. William Ruto

When it comes to education among African presidents, William Ruto secured the second spot.

William Ruto, also known as Kipchirchir Samoei arap Ruto CGH was born on December 21, 1966, in Kenya, Ruto has been the fifth president of Kenya since September 13, 2022, after serving as the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022.

Ruto is a charismatic speaker, known for his sharp intellect. He assumed the presidency in August 2022 and has gained international attention for his advocacy regarding the restructuring of loans by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Beyond his political career, Ruto is a dedicated scholar who openly expresses his passion for academic pursuits, revealing that he would have chosen a path as a research fellow if not for his involvement in Kenyan politics.

Ruto’s impressive educational background includes a PhD in Plant Ecology, a Master’s degree in Plant Ecology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Zoology. His commitment to education and his eloquence make him a distinctive figure among African leaders.

1. Mohammed VI of Morocco

King Mohammed VI holds the prestigious title of Africa’s most educated president, He ascended to the throne in 1999 after his father, King Hassan II, passed away. His extensive educational background in the field of law paved the way for significant gender-based reforms in Morocco, further empowering women. His academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Law, a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, a Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA) in Public Law, and a Certificat d’Études Supérieures (CES) in Political Sciences.

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