Top 10 Youngest Presidents in Africa 2025

List Of Top 10 Youngest Presidents in Africa 2025:

The political landscape of Africa, a continent renowned for its energetic youth, has undergone a dramatic change in recent years. Since more than 60% of its people are under 35, the rise of younger leaders in positions of authority is indicative of a growing need for new ideas, creative governance, and policies that appeal to the continent's young population. Some of these leaders came to power through democratic elections, but others—often in reaction to political unrest or problems in governance—took control through military takeovers or transitional agreements. This article examines the backgrounds, leadership philosophies, and national accomplishments of the top ten youngest African presidents and heads of state in 2025. Based on statistics from 2025, the list is arranged by age and focuses on leaders under 60, with a particular emphasis on those who came into power at very young ages.

1. Ibrahim Traoré (Burkina Faso, Age: 37) :

At 37 years old, Ibrahim Traoré, who was born on March 14, 1988, is Africa's youngest head of state in 2025. After interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was overthrown in a coup d'état on September 30, 2022, military officer Traoré took over as head of state in Burkina Faso. His dedication to tackling issues of national security, especially the ongoing Islamist insurgency in the Sahel, propelled Traoré to power. His administration has heavily recruited volunteers for the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland auxiliary force in an effort to battle rebel organizations, improve governance, and fortify national unity. Traoré was instrumental in the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States and has worked to separate Burkina Faso from France, its former colonial power. Analysts in 2025 pointed out that despite his popularity, Traoré's government has come under fire for laws that criminalize homosexuality and restrict press freedom. In May 2024, his mandate was extended for a further five years, enabling him to run for president in the future.

2. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (Chad, Age: 41):

Born on April 4, 1984, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, also called Mahamat Kaka, is 41 years old and the second-youngest African leader. He was a four-star general who took over as Chad's interim president on April 20, 2021, after his father, President Idriss Déby, was killed in a military operation in northern Chad. Because of Chad's vital position in the Sahelian counterterrorism campaign, Mahamat's administration has placed a high priority on security and regional stability. Tensions with opposition parties have arisen as a result of his administration's difficulties adjusting to civilian rule and the postponement of the 2024 elections. Mahamat was announced as the Patriotic Salvation Movement's nominee for president in January 2024. Critics contend that despite his emphasis on military might and continuity, his protracted transitional administration raises questions about democratic regression.

3. Assimi Goïta (Mali, Age: 42):

Assimi Goïta, 42, who was born in 1983, is the interim president of Mali and the third-youngest African leader in 2025. Goïta, a military soldier, led a coup against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020 and took over as president on May 28, 2021. In the face of persistent political crises and insurgencies, Goïta has prioritized bringing stability back to Mali as the head of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. Although international observers have expressed worries about the delays in returning to civilian government, his administration has made constitutional reforms and economic stabilization a top priority. In West Africa, where coups have become a means for new leaders to overthrow established political elites, Goïta's leadership reflects the trend of young military officers assuming power. Although his initiatives are intended to alleviate Mali's security issues, his term is nonetheless contentious because of its undemocratic beginnings.

4. Mamady Doumbouya (Guinea, Age: 45) :

Guinea's interim president, Mamady Doumbouya, was born on March 4, 1980, and will be 45 years old in 2025. Doumbouya, a former French legionnaire and member of Guinea's Special Forces Group, overthrew President Alpha Condé on September 5, 2021. Under his leadership, Guinea, a resource-rich but politically unstable country, has been stabilized through economic reforms, constitutional amendments, and open governance. The ascent to power of Doumbouya is indicative of the expanding prominence of military leaders in West Africa, as youthful commanders have taken advantage of the public's discontent with long-serving leaders. Despite his administration's pledge to restore civilian authority, things have moved slowly, which has raised worries about a democratic backsliding. Although Doumbouya's youth and military experience lend him a disciplined approach to leadership, there are still questions about his capacity to carry out the reforms he has pledged.

5. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal, Age: 45):

The 45-year-old president of Senegal and the youngest democratically elected leader in Africa in 2025 is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was born on March 25, 1980. Faye, who was sworn in on April 2, 2024, had a remarkable journey from prison to the presidency after winning a historic election with 54% of the vote. Faye, a former tax inspector and attorney, campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption, economic reform, and sovereignty in lieu of Ousmane Sonko, the disqualified opposition leader. Renegotiating oil and gas contracts and substituting a new Senegalese or regional currency for the CFA franc are two of his policies. Senegal, a stable democracy in a region beset by coups, has celebrated Faye's victory as a watershed moment. His ambitious economic aims and lack of political experience, however, have sparked worries about investor confidence and short-term economic stability.

6. Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia, Age: 48):

Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, was born on August 15, 1976, and will be 48 years old in 2025. After taking office on April 2, 2018, Abiy—a computer engineer and former military intelligence officer—became well-known worldwide and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts to end the border dispute with Eritrea. Although internal disputes, especially in the Tigray region, have plagued his tenure, his leadership has been centered on infrastructural development, economic reforms, and conflict resolution. Although issues like economic injustice and ethnic tensions still exist, Abiy's youthful vigor and progressive initiatives have made him a revolutionary figure in Ethiopian politics. Ethiopia's future depends on his ability to strike a balance between modernization and stability.

7. Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar, Age: 50):

The president of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, was born on May 30, 1974, and will be 50 years old in 2025. Rajoelina, a former media mogul and Malagasy-French politician, originally came to power in 2009 with the support of the military and presided over a transitional administration until 2014. In 2019, democratic elections brought him back to the presidency. In one of the poorest countries in Africa, his leadership prioritizes infrastructure development, economic diversification, and poverty alleviation. Although Rajoelina's experience as a businessman lends a practical approach to government, his prior contentious ascent to office and current economic difficulties have prompted criticism. His impression of youth still influences Madagascar's political development.

8. Daniel Chapo (Mozambique, Age: 51) :

The president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, was born in 1974 and will be 51 years old in 2025. After a contentious election tainted by claims of fraud and violent protests, Chapo, a lawyer and jurist, took office on January 15, 2025. His administration has had to deal with pressing issues including repairing public confidence and resolving economic inequality in a nation abundant in natural gas. Although Chapo's legal experience and relatively youthful age make him a promising reformer, opposition organizations and foreign observers continue to question the validity of his election, demanding transparency. His presidency will be characterized by his capacity to overcome these obstacles.

9. Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi, Age: 57):

Évariste Ndayishimiye, the president of Burundi, was born on June 17, 1968, and will be 57 years old in 2025. After a democratic election, he assumed power on June 18, 2020, ending the hardline rule of his predecessor. Despite Burundi's ongoing economic difficulties and human rights issues, Ndayishimiye's administration has prioritized governance reforms, cabinet size reduction, and inclusivity. Ndayishimiye, a former politician and military officer, approaches leadership with a combination of pragmatism and discipline. He can relate to Burundi's youth because he is relatively youthful for an African president, but there are still issues because of long-standing political systems.

10. William Ruto (Kenya, Age: 58) :

Kenya's president, William Ruto, was born on December 21, 1966, and will be 58 years old in 2025. After serving as vice president from 2013 to 2022, Ruto was elected in 2022, a victory that is indicative of his political savvy and popular popularity at the grassroots level. In order to combat Kenya's high unemployment rates, his administration has made economic recovery, agricultural reforms, and youth development its top priorities. But his policies—such as raising taxes—have provoked protests, especially among Kenyan youth. Although Ruto's leadership combines expertise with a forward-thinking strategy, striking a balance between public expectations and economic reforms is still a significant problem.