Accra, Ghana – March 2026
The African Leadership Organisation (ALO), publishers of African Leadership Magazine, successfully hosted the 2026 African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year (POTY) Awards in Accra, Ghana, bringing together a distinguished assembly of Africa’s most influential political, business, and institutional leaders.
Held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel under the theme, “Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative,” the event reaffirmed its status as one of the continent’s foremost platforms for leadership recognition and high-level engagement. The ceremony attracted an exceptional lineup of dignitaries, including H.E. Dr John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana; H.E. The Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho; and H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President of Ghana, alongside senior policymakers and global thought leaders.
The programme featured keynote addresses, strategic plenary sessions, cultural showcases, and multi-phase award presentations, reflecting international standards in convening leadership excellence. Participants also included senior government and institutional leaders such as Eku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone, and H.E. Austelino Tavares Correia, President of the National Assembly of Cape Verde, represented by Leila Andrade, Chief of Staff to the President.
POTY 2026 honoured an outstanding cohort of leaders and institutions driving transformation across Africa’s development landscape. Among the distinguished honourees were First Bank of Nigeria, recognised for institutional excellence; Dr Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director of UMB Bank Ghana; Dr Helen Oritsejafor, Executive Chairman of Spring Sky Finance Company Limited, Nigeria; and Mr Samuel Tafesse, Founder of Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia, recognised for his philanthropic contributions.
Also recognised were Rali Mampeule, Founder and CEO of the South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund; Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council; Mr Khulekani Mathe, CEO of Business Unity South Africa; DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd), former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service; and Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Uganda, among other distinguished leaders across sectors.
The ceremony culminated in the recognition of H.E. Dr John Dramani Mahama as African of the Year, in acknowledgement of his enduring leadership and influence on the continent.
Beyond recognition, the event served as a strategic platform for advancing Africa’s leadership narrative, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and amplifying the continent’s voice in global conversations. With strong participation, institutional credibility, and impactful programming, POTY Accra 2026 further reinforced the African Leadership Organisation’s role as a leading force in shaping Africa’s leadership future.
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards continue to stand as a powerful symbol of Africa’s progress and ambition—celebrating the individuals and institutions defining the continent’s trajectory on the global stage.
About African Leadership Organisation (ALO)
The African Leadership Organisation (UK), publishers of African Leadership Magazine, is committed to promoting impactful leadership, advancing policy dialogue, and fostering strategic partnerships that drive Africa’s growth and global influence.
