From visionary presidents to innovative entrepreneurs, from community leaders to inspiring artists, the protagonists of this small exhibition reflect the living pulse of Africa today. Each portrait captures not only an image, but also the impact these personalities have in building new realities.
Nelson Mandela
South Africa
Anti-apartheid leader, first black president of South Africa.
Fatou Bensouda
Gambia
Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
Kwame Nkrumah
Ghana
First president of independent Ghana, promoter of Pan-Africanism.
Haile Selassie
Ethiopia
Ethiopian emperor, symbol of anti-colonialism.
Miriam Makeba
South Africa
Singer and activist: "Mama Africa".
Desmond Tutu
South Africa
Archbishop and activist. Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Angelique Kidjo
Benin
Grammy Award-winning singer.
Salim Abdool Karim
South Africa
Epidemiologist.
Thomas Sankara
Burkina Faso
Revolutionary and president, he promoted social justice.
Lupita Nyong'o
Kenya/Mexico
Oscar-winning actress.
Julius Nyerere
Tanzania
First president of Tanzania, champion of African socialism.
Aliko Dangote
Nigeria
Africa's richest businessman, founder of Dangote Group.
Amina J. Mohammed
Nigeria
UN Deputy Secretary-General.
Mo Ibrahim
Sudan
Telecommunications entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Strive Masiyiwa
Zimbabwe
Founder of Econet Wireless, advocate of connectivity.
Graça Machel
Mozambique
Children's and human rights activist.
Chinua Achebe
Nigeria
Father of modern African literature.
Ousmane Sembène'o
Senegal
Father of African cinema.
Wole Soyinka
Nigeria
Playwright and poet. Nobel Prize for Literature 1986
Patrice Lumumba
DR Congo
Prime Minister and martyr.
Francisca Nneka Okeke
Nigeria
Physicist, advocate for women's access to science.
Isabel dos Santos
Angola
Angolan businesswoman, a controversial figure due to her wealth.
Genevieve Nnaji
Nigeria
Actress and director.
Eliud Kipchoge
Kenya
Marathon runner, broke the 2-hour barrier.
Shaffy Bello
Nigeria
Actress and singer.
Patrice Motsepe
South Africa
South African mining magnate, President of CAF.
Didier Drogba
Côte d'Ivoire
Legendary footballer, Chelsea icon, promoted peace in his country.
Samuel Eto'o
Cameroon
Multiple European champion, all-time top scorer.
Caster Semenya
South Africa
An Olympic athlete, she faced controversy over her biology.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Nigeria
Feminist writer, author of Americanah.
Fela Kuti
Nigeria
Pioneering Afrobeat musician.
Youssou N'Dour
Senegal
Singer and icon of African music.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Liberia
Africa's first female president.
Paul Kagame
Rwanda
President since 2000.
Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia
Prime Minister, received the Nobel Peace Prize.
John Magufuli
Tanzania
President of Tanzania, known for nationalist policies.
Folorunsho Alakija
Nigeria
Oil businesswoman, one of the richest women in Africa.
Ashish J. Thakkar
Uganda
Founder of Mara Group.
Haile Gebrselassie
Ethiopia
Olympic and world long-distance champion.
Francis Ngannou
Cameroon
UFC heavyweight champion of the world.
Tony Elumelu
Nigeria
Banker and philanthropist.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Kenya
Writer and thinker. Critic of neo-colonialism.
Koos Bekker
South Africa
Media entrepreneur.
James Mwangi
Kenya
Managing Director of Equity Bank.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Nigeria
NBA basketball legend.
Asisat Oshoala
Nigeria
Professional footballer.
Yaya Toure
Côte d'Ivoire
Former Manchester City player.
Trevor Noah
South Africa
Comedian and host of The Daily Show.
Wizkid
Nigeria
Afrobeat singer.
Burna Boy
Nigeria
Grammy winner.
Black Coffee
South Africa
World-renowned DJ and producer.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
United Kingdom/South Africa
Film and television actress.
Sho Madjozi
South Africa
Rapper, poet and singer.
Wangari Maathai
Kenya
Environmentalist, Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Leymah Gbowee
Liberia
Activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
William Kamkwamba
Malawi
Self-taught inventor.
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Nigeria
Engineer and innovator.
Cheick Modibo Diarra
Mali
Astrophysicist and former Prime Minister.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Nigeria
Economist and current director of the WTO.
Toby Shapshak
South Africa
Journalist and technologist.
Oumou Sangaré
Mali
Singer and activist.
Iman
Somalia
Iconic supermodel.
Laetitia Ky
Côte d'Ivoire
Visual artist.
Alek Wek
South Sudan
International supermodel.
Thebe Magugu
South Africa
Fashion designer.
Omar Sy
France/Senegal
Recognised actor.
Thuso Mbedu
South Africa
Emmy Award-winning actress.
Pearl Thusi
South Africa
Actress and model.