Across Africa, political leadership continues to be dominated by presidents well past 60 years of age, with several leaders holding on to power for decades despite growing calls for generational change.
Cote D’ivore Coast’s Alassane Ouattara, 83, who just secured a fourth term, to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, 92, one of the world’s longest-serving presidents, the continent’s political landscape remains largely shaped by aging leaders whose grip on power shows little sign of loosening.
In Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara, a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive, has led the country since 2010. His recent landslide re-election for a fourth term extends his rule to nearly 15 years.
Supporters credit him with stabilising the economy and attracting foreign investment, while critics accuse him of entrenching one-party dominance and limiting political competition by disqualifying major rivals.
Meanwhile, in Cameroon, Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, remains one of Africa’s most enduring leaders. Now 92 years old, Biya has weathered decades of political and social upheaval, winning another consecutive term in October 2025. Before his presidency, Biya was the Prime Minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982.
Both leaders exemplify a broader trend across Africa, where many presidents from Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni to Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo have ruled for decades, often amending constitutions or manipulating elections to stay in power.
These seasoned leaders have had a big impact on their countries’ histories and continue to guide their nations through fast-paced changes in technology and society.
READ ALSO: 83-Year-Old Ouattara Secures Fourth Term in Ivory Coast’s Presidential Election
Below are some of the oldest African leaders:
1. Paul Biya of Cameroon, age 92, the oldest serving African president since 1982.
2. Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’ivore, age 83, president since 2010.
3. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, age 83, president since 1982.
4. Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, age 83, president since 2017.
5. Nangolo Mbumba of Namibia, age 83, president since 2024.
6. John Dramani Mahama, age 67, president since 2025.
7. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, age 81, president since 1986.
8. Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, age 79, president since 2019.
9. Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, age 77, president since 1999.
10. Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, age 73, president since 2023.
11. Joseph Boakai of Liberia, age 80, president since 2023.
12. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove of Togo, age 86, president since 2025.
