10 Most Educated Presidents in Africa | See Africa Today

The last couple of years have rewritten African history in many ways and a lot has to do with the most educated presidents in Africa concept. Governance pundits cite that running a country takes a 50/50 political and managerial undertaking. Politics and great leadership go hand in gloves and education plays a great deal in all this. While some African leaders don’t hold stellar academic backgrounds; they are political wits who still have to rely on great minds who do the deep thinking on policies and other things of national interests.

Remarkably, the last decade came with a paradigm shift as the African populace voted for a new breed of well-schooled leaders. This is the whole basis of the most educated president debate.

Who are the Most Educated Presidents in Africa?

Find out below the most elite African presidents

Dr William Samoei Ruto (Kenya)

He is a man who admires his wit whenever he speaks. Dr Ruto took the reins of power in August 2022 and is a phenomenal orator on different matters. Just recently, he took the world by storm over his advocacy on restructuring loans by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Beyond politics, he is an academic who admits that he would be a research fellow if he weren’t in the Kenyan power politics arena. He is a modern day leader setting the pace in academics by ranking among the most educated presidents in Africa.

Here is his educational background:

• PhD in Plant Ecology
• MSc in Plant Ecology
• BSc in Botany and Zoology

King Mohammed VI (Morocco)

King Mohammed VI rose to power in 1999 following the death of his father King Hassan II. His rich educational background in law saw Morocco introduce gender-based reforms which empowered women even more.  He is a graduate of the following:

• PhD in Law
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law
• Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA) in Public Law
• Certificat d’Études Supérieures (CES) in Political Sciences

Moeketsi Majoro (Lesotho)

Moeketsi Majoro is a career politician who is heavily leaning toward economics.  He is among the most educated presidents in Africa. He took over power in 2020 after serving as a Member of Parliament, Finance Minister and later as a Senator.

• PhD in Natural Resource Economics
• MSc in Agricultural Economics
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics

Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast)

His background in Economics is extensive and he is undoubtedly one of the most educated presidents in Africa. Ouattara ascended to power in 2010 and has been pivotal in changing Ivory Coast’s economy. He is an American schooled African leader at the University of Pennsylvania in this:

• A PhD graduate in Economics
• Master’s Degree in Economics
• Bachelor of Science Degree

George Weah (Liberia)

George Weah is a former professional footballer who was elected to office in 2018 and served as a Senator before this. The now Liberian President dabbled into politics after retiring from international football in 2003 with many feats in the sport. Here is his academic record

• Master’s Degree in Management
• Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana)

The Ghanaian president holds a colourful education portfolio in West Africa. His Vast legal practice stems from:

• An Honorary Doctorate in Judicial Science
• MSc in Law
• Bachelor’s degree in Law

Mulatu Teshome (Ethiopia)

The former Ethiopian president is a history-maker who led Ethiopia to greater heights in the recent past. His wit on African matters is admirable. Most of his academic background is from reputable Chinese universities. With a Doctorate in International Law, he fits among most educated presidents in Africa.

• PhD in International Law
• Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy
• Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy of Political Economy

Hage Geingob (Namibia)

Hage Geingob is a long-serving career politician in Namibia. He served as a representative of the people, a prime minister and later as the president. Geingob is a diplomat per excellence courtesy of his background in:

• Msc in International Relations
• Bachelor of Arts

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia)

Before his election to office as Somalia’s president; he served as a political and civil rights activist and a university dean. Somalians re-elected him to office in 2022.

• Summer Peacebuilding Institute
• MSc Technical Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Technology

Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania)

Samia Suluhu Hassan ascended to power in 2021 after the demise of John Pombe Magufuli. She effectively became the first female Tanzanian president. Although she is a career politician, she has an impressive academic record as follows:

• Master of Sciences in Community Economic Development
• Postgraduate Diploma in Economics
• Advanced Diploma in Public Administration

What Makes a President Educated?

Many factors make up the most educated president in Africa beyond stellar academic background. Critical thinking, great oratory skills, problem-solving skills and leadership are the key factors that make up the concept of an educated leader. Ideally, they complement the diverse academic skills that come in handy in governing a country.