List of the Top Ten (10) Most Educated African Presidents

President is defined as the head of any state, country or republics. The functions exercised by a president vary according to the form of government and are limited to head of the state that are largely ceremonial under parliamentary & semi presidential republics. The role of president is more prominent, encompassing the functions of the head of government in presidential republics. Their education is translated for the welfare of the people. The major concern is that the president’s leadership could degenerate if the leaders does not separate their personal interests from the welfare of those whom the president governs.

Until now, we knew something about President. Now let’s view some of the educated and top ranked African Presidents below.

Most Educated African Presidents

Some of the most educated African Presidents are as follows:

Dr. Ameenah Gurib – Mauritius

Dr. Ameenah Gurib Fakim is a Mauritian bio-diversity scientist who is elected as 6^th President of Mauritius since 2015. Ameenah after completing her primary education at Saint Patrice moved to Mahebourg Loreto Convent. She completed Higher School Certificate at Loreto Convent, Quatre Bornes and later moved to England and graduated with Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of Surrey in 1983. She also received Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Exeter University started her career as a professor at University of Mauritius.

Robert Mugabe – Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe who is primarily qualified as a teacher possessed Bachelor of Arts (BA) from University of Fort Hare and later pursued further degrees from University of Oxford (1952), University of Salisbury (1953), University of Gwelo (1954) and University of Tanzania (1957). Mugabe earned six further degrees like Bachelor of Administration & Bachelor of Education from University of South Africa; Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Science and Master of Laws from University of London External Programme through distance learning. Mugabe pursued two law courses when he was in prison and Master of Science was completed during the premiership of Zimbabwe.

Peter Mutharika – Malawi

Dr. Peter Mutharika, being the President of Malawi earned his law degree from University of London in 1965 and later received LLM & JSD degrees from Yale University. He is an expert of International Economic Law and Comparative Constitutional Law and worked as professor in London School of Economics, UK. He also served as advisor to American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative for Africa and was also chairman for the Institute of Democracy and Policy Studies in Malawi.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita – Mali

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was often known as IBK has been Mali’s president since 4^th September 2013. Apart from being a shrewd leader, IBK was one among Africa’s most educated presidents who gained two Master degrees viz. Political Science from Lycee Janson-de-Sally in Paris and Institute of Modern History of International Relations from Lycee Askia-Mohamed in Bamako. Keita was also awarded with additional degree in Political Science from University of Dakar and Master’s Degree in History & Institute of Modern History of International Relations. Later he started his career as a researcher at CNRS and taught courses on Third World Politics at University of Paris and also became a technical consultant for European Development Fund, putting together first small-scale development program for European Union’s activities in Mali.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Liberia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is a Liberian politician serves as the current President of Liberia since 2006. Sirleaf completed her education in College of West Africa during 1948-1955 and earned an associate degree in Accounting at Madison Business College, Wisconsin in United States after getting married to James Sirleaf. Ellen after attaining degree in Accounting, started her career in Treasury Department i.e. Ministry of Finance. Later she attained completed her Bachelor degree in Economics Institute in Boulder, Colorado and later pursued Economics & Public Policy in Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government by gaining Master of Public Administration. After returning to Liberia, she was appointed as Assistant Minister of Finance.

Paul Biya – Cameron

Paul Biya, who has worked as the second president of Cameroon since 6^th November 1982, was born on 13^th February 1933 at Mvomeka’a in the South Region of Cameroon. He completed his basic education at Louis-le-Grand, Sorbonne and completed graduation in Public Law, Political Sciences along with diploma in International Relations from University of Paris. Later started his career as an assistant under the Presidency of the Republic and rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1960s.

Faure Gnassingbe –Togo

Faure Gnassingbe worked as the President since 2005. Gnassibey completed his secondary education at Lome before moving to Paris. He received degree in Financial Business Management and subsequently obtained Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The George Washington University in United States. Later he was elected as Deputy for Blitta to the National Assembly of Togo in Parliamentary Election held in October 2002 and served as Coordinator of the Commission in charge of privatization.

King Mohammed VI – Morocco

King Mohammed VI succeeded his father as King of Morocco in 1999 and served as the country’s head. He first attended the Qur’anic school at Royal Palace and received religious education and learned Qur’an. Later, he completed his primary & secondary education at Royal College in Morocco. He attained Bachelor’s degree in Law at Mohammed V University in Agdal and also attained Certification in Political Science and Post-Graduation Diploma in Public Law. King Mohammed also attained Ph. D. in Law from French University in Antipolis and these qualifications make him stand for the most educated African President.

Jose Eduardo Dos Santos – Angola

Jose Eduardo Dos Santos who served as President of Angola between 1979 and 2017 was Commander-in-Chief of Angolan Armed Forces and president of People’s Movement for Liberation of Angola. Santos completed his primary education in Luanda and secondary education at Liceu Salvador Correia which is presently called as Mutu ya Kevela. He was awarded scholarship in 1963 to study in Soviet Union and received degree in Petroleum Engineering and later continued his studies in Communications in Soviet Union itself. At the age of 19, Santos joined MPLA’s guerrilla army fighting for independence from Portugal. He was the only one president who is never criticized by the country’s media organs that dare to challenge his actions that are hit with lawsuits.

Dr. Mulatu Teshome – Ethiopia

Dr. Mulatu Teshome Wirtu is an Ethiopian politician who has been President of Ethiopia since 7^th October 2013. Mulatu acquired primary and secondary education in Ethiopia, later moved to China and attained Bachelor degree in Philosophy. Teshome later possessed Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University and achieved doctorate degree in International Law at Peking University. Mulatu started his career as professor at some foreign universities and institutions. Later he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Cooperation in mid 199s and also was appointed as Minister of Agriculture in 2001.