50 Influential Africans: The Powerbrokers – The Africa Report

maximum leverage
in depth
This article is part of the dossier:
By The Africa Report
Posted on December 26, 2023 16:24
Nigerian political titan Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, aka “Gbaja,” is now the chief of staff for President Bola Tinubu. Formerly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gbaja is a trusted ally with a deep political pedigree.
A member of the bar in Lagos and in Georgia, US, he set up a law firm in Atlanta in 2001. A devoted protégé of Tinubu since the 1980s, Gbaja has held positions as minority and majority leader. Recently, he skillfully protected Tinubu’s presidential bid with a key Electoral Act provision.
Wake up to the essential with the Editor's picks.
As chief of staff, Gbaja will serve as gatekeeper, policy adviser and legislative expert, wielding immense power in shaping the administration’s agenda, particularly given Tinubu’s age and health.
Abdellatif Hammouchi, Morocco’s influential police and domestic intelligence chief, has faced several allegations of human rights abuses against dissidents and journalists. Notably, a French judge summoned him in 2014 to investigate his alleged torturing of a Moroccan-French citizen. The Moroccan government rejected the summons.
A year later, France awarded him the Légion d’honneur. French media also reported that Hammouchi used the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to eavesdrop on King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Despite the controversies, Hammouchi has maintained strong international ties with agencies like the CIA, MI6, and France’s DGSE, collaborating on joint operations and sharing intelligence. In April, he met with CIA director William J. Burns to discuss the security of the Sahel and Western Sahara.
Mamo Mihretu, the young former head of Ethiopia’s sovereign wealth fund, ruffled feathers when he was appointed governor of the Central Bank earlier this year.
Wake up to the essential with the Editor's picks.
Critics of his rise pointed to his close relationship with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his lack of senior management experience. Handpicked by Abiy to advance his liberalisation agenda, Mamo, who was educated at Harvard and spent eight years at the World Bank, has sought partnerships with China and the US, while promoting green initiatives to attract external investment.
Ethiopia faces a global economic downturn and the aftermath of a two-year civil war, but Mamo remains confident in its potential. “Ethiopia is a land with countless opportunities for local and foreign investors […] we will give them security,” he said in 2022, as the war drew to a close.
President João Lourenço installed General Furtado as minister of state and head of the security house of the president in 2021, shortly after sacking Pedro Sebastião amid an embezzlement scandal.
Furtado served as chief of staff of the Angolan Armed Forces from 2006 to 2010 under former president José Eduardo dos Santos. He was the most prominent appointee in Lourenço’s reshuffle of the oil-rich country’s security services.
Lourenço, who is in his second term after being elected in 2017, is a military man who converted to politics during the Dos Santos era. His appointment of Furtado, one of Dos Santos’s closest allies, suggests the former regime’s influence is lingering. Under Furtado’s leadership, Angola this year opted to send around 500 soldiers to the DRC to “supervise the process” after the shaky ceasefire agreement between the M23 rebels and the government.
Kahumbu ‘Kao’ Mandungu Bula replaced Fortunat Biselele – who faces treason charges – as economic adviser to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in January. He has fostered vital ties between Tshisekedi and Emirati ruler Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ).
In December 2022, Kao’s diplomacy led to the Congo-Emirati joint venture Primera Gold, which aims to improve the traceability of DRC’s gold exports. The son of a high-ranking Mobutu-era official, Kao gained experience in the migration office (DGM) under security chief François Beya, who introduced him to Tshisekedi’s cabinet.
Kao’s influence continues as he oversees the coordination of the Banana Port project with Dubai-based ports operator DP World, a deal renegotiated under Tshisekedi, exemplifying his ability to bridge political divides.

Gabby Otchere-Darko, former speechwriter for President Nana Akufo-Addo and key adviser for the New Patriotic Party, is a pivotal figure in Ghanaian politics.
As the founder of Asaase Radio and senior partner at Africa Legal Associates, he actively contributes to the media and legal sectors. Drawing from his grandfather J.B. Danquah’s political legacy, Otchere-Darko shapes policy, particularly in collaboration with finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, his close friend and cousin.
Dubbed ‘Ghana’s de facto prime minister’ by political opponents for his influence and access to power, Otchere-Darko is also known for securing the finances of the ruling party.
Oscar Mabuyane, the 49-year-old premier of the Eastern Cape, is a close ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an advocate for ANC renewal amid corruption.
Mabuyane’s potential ANC presidency bid may be impacted by the divide between the ‘Xhosa nostra’ faction strong in the Eastern Cape and the ‘Alex Mafia’ led by Paul Mashatile. Mabuyane’s administration has drawn investment to Coega IDZ, one of South Africa’s largest industrial zones, and made significant infrastructure improvements in the Eastern Cape.
His international connections were highlighted during visits from Emirati elites, including President Mohamed bin Zayed and the head of Mubadala Investment Company. After overcoming corruption charges that he claims were politically motivated, Mabuyane has implemented lifestyle audits for Eastern Cape officials.
Cameroon’s influential First Lady skilfully navigates political power via key allies in significant roles. Close friend Nathalie Moudiki, married to state oil company head Adolphe Moudiki, recently provoked a diplomatic disagreement between Cameroon and Chad.
Another ally, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, secretary-­general of the presidency, aligns with Chantal Biya’s son Franck, who is positioned for post-Paul Biya leadership.
Chantal Biya’s strategic network secures her family’s future and shapes Cameroon’s politics.
Odrek Rwabwogo, the husband of President Yoweri Museveni’s daughter Patience, is a businessman playing a key role in Uganda’s political landscape. Appointed by Museveni as chair of the presidential advisory committee on exports and industrial development, Rwabwogo is the vital link between investors and the President. He also advises on Special Duties, influencing Museveni’s choice of summits and business meetings.
Favoured by the President and First Lady, he portrays himself as a modest man, managing his farms while serving as Museveni’s confidant. This has strained relations with his brother-in-law Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who holds a less influential role as senior presidential advisor on special operations.
While Museveni and his son play out their power struggle, Rwabwogo subtly maintains his position in the background and is said to have a significant influence on Museveni’s decision-making.

Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s tireless advocate for democracy, is vice-president of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), which was previously known as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). As a founding member of the MDC in 1999, the human rights lawyer has faced numerous challenges, including a 2008 arrest on charges of treason and for insulting former president Robert Mugabe.
Despite his limited financial background, Biti was appointed finance minister in the Government of National Unity under MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, a position in which he served from 2009 to 2013. This marked the only period of improved financial governance in the three decades of Zimbabwe’s existence.
In 2013, Biti returned to his legal roots, launching a law firm specialising in international finance law and domestic and constitutional issues. After a 2014 fallout with Tsvangirai, Biti joined the breakaway party MDC-Renewal, which later became the People’s Democratic Party, where he served as president.
Another split in 2017 saw Biti and others joining the MDC Alliance. In 2019, he was charged with contravening the Electoral Act in what democracy activists call an attempt to close down one of the last loud voices of opposition in the country.
We believe that Africa is poorly represented, and badly under-estimated. Beyond the vast opportunity manifest in African markets, we highlight people who make a difference; leaders turning the tide, youth driving change, and an indefatigable business community. That is what we believe will change the continent, and that is what we report on. With hard-hitting investigations, innovative analysis and deep dives into countries and sectors, The Africa Report delivers the insight you need.
shine bright
cultural icons
limitless ambition
pay it forward
Wake up to the essential with the Editor's picks.
Give yourself a headstart: Get full access to The Africa Report on all your devices.
Wake up to the essential with the Editor's picks.
Sign up to get more of The Africa Report

source

About The Author

admin

See author's posts