It is notable that with Paul Biya of Cameroon and Alhassane Outarra of the Ivory Coast winning reelection this week, there is a need to look at the oldest presidents in Africa.
Africa remains home to some of the world’s longest-serving and oldest leaders, with some having held power for decades. Below is a list of the ten oldest serving presidents on the continent
1. Paul Biya – Cameroon (92 years)
President Paul Biya, born in 1933, has ruled Cameroon since November 6, 1982, making him Africa’s longest-serving head of state. Biya has led the country for over four decades, prolonging his stay with multiple constitutional changes that extended term limits.
His current mandate, following his reelection last week, is set to take him through to 2032 when he would be 99 years.
2. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové – Togo (86 years)
Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, aged 86 is regarded as one of Africa’s elder statesmen. His current presidential tenure, which began in early 2025, is expected to run through 2029.
3. Peter Mutharika – Malawi (85 years)
Peter Mutharika, born in 1940, first served as Malawi’s president from 2014 to 2020. He was re-elected in 2023. The veteran politician and law professor has focused his second tenure on economic recovery and anti-corruption efforts. His current term runs until 2028, under Malawi’s five-year electoral cycle.
4. Alassane Ouattara – Côte d’Ivoire (83 years)
Alassane Ouattara, born in 1942, became president of Côte d’Ivoire in 2011 after years of political tension following the post-election crisis. Despite initially stating he would not run again, Ouattara secured a third term in 2020, a decision that stirred domestic debate.
He recently secured a fourth term with almost 90% of the votes in last week’s elections which takes him through 2030.
5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo – Equatorial Guinea (83 years)
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, born in 1942, has been in power since August 1979 after toppling his uncle in a coup. He is recognized as the world’s longest-serving president, ruling for over 45 years. Obiang was re-elected in 2022 for another seven-year term, which runs until 2029, continuing his firm control over the oil-rich nation.
6. Emmerson Mnangagwa – Zimbabwe (83 years)
Emmerson Mnangagwa, born in 1942, succeeded Robert Mugabe following the 2017 military intervention. Nicknamed “The Crocodile” for his political shrewdness, Mnangagwa won re-election in 2023 amid allegations of electoral irregularities. His current five-year term is set to expire in 2028.
7. Denis Sassou-Nguesso – Republic of Congo (81 years)
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, born in 1943, has led the Republic of Congo for most of the period since 1979, with a brief interruption from 1992 to 1997. Returning to power after a civil conflict, he has since consolidated his rule through constitutional changes. Re-elected in 2021 for another five-year term, Sassou-Nguesso’s current mandate will end in 2026.
8. Yoweri Museveni – Uganda (81 years)
Yoweri Museveni, born in 1944, has ruled Uganda since January 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His government has been marked by stability and controversy over term-limit removals. Museveni secured his sixth consecutive term in the 2021 election, which runs until 2026.
9. Joseph Boakai – Liberia (80 years)
Joseph Boakai, born in 1945, took office as Liberia’s president in January 2024 after defeating George Weah in the 2023 election. A former vice president under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Boakai has pledged to strengthen governance and revive the economy. His first six-year term is due to expire in 2030.
10. Abdelmadjid Tebboune – Algeria (79 years)
Abdelmadjid Tebboune, born in 1945, became Algeria’s president in December 2019 following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika amid mass protests. Tebboune’s administration has faced pressure for political reforms and economic diversification. He is currently serving a five-year term that runs until 2029, following his re-election in 2024.
