By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Africa’s political landscape in 2025 continues to be shaped by a handful of long-serving leaders who have outlasted generations of rivals and witnessed the rise and fall of countless administrations around the world. While their supporters hail them as pillars of continuity, others argue their long reigns hinder progress and political renewal.
Here’s a look at the 10 oldest presidents still holding power across Africa in 2025 — men whose decades at the top have defined their nations’ histories.
1. Paul Biya — Cameroon (Age 92)
Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him not only Africa’s oldest president but also one of the longest-serving leaders in the world. Under his leadership, the Central African nation has experienced both periods of stability and persistent unrest. At 92, Biya remains a central figure in Cameroonian politics, even as questions about succession loom larger each year.
2. Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové — Togo (Age 86)
Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, who assumed office in May 2025, ranks among Africa’s oldest sitting presidents. His emergence marked an unexpected shift in Togo’s political scene. Despite his age, his rise underscores how deeply elder statesmen remain embedded in the continent’s power structures.
3. Peter Mutharika — Malawi (Age 85)
In an unexpected political twist, Peter Mutharika returned to the presidency in October 2025, years after leaving office. At 85, the Malawian leader’s comeback highlights the enduring influence of established politicians and the cyclical nature of African politics, where veteran figures often reclaim relevance.
4. Nangolo Mbumba — Namibia (Age 84)
Nangolo Mbumba became Namibia’s president in early 2024 following the death of his predecessor, Hage Geingob. A long-time ally within the ruling SWAPO party, Mbumba is seen as a steady transitional figure. At 84, his leadership focuses on maintaining stability while guiding Namibia through a period of national reflection and renewal.
5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo — Equatorial Guinea (Age 83)
Teodoro Obiang has governed Equatorial Guinea since 1979, giving him one of the longest continuous rules of any leader in modern history. His administration has overseen a major oil-driven economic transformation, but it has also faced global criticism over corruption and repression. More than four decades later, Obiang remains firmly in command.
6. Alassane Ouattara — Côte d’Ivoire (Age 83)
Alassane Ouattara has led Côte d’Ivoire since 2011, steering the country through post-conflict recovery and economic revival. While his supporters applaud his technocratic leadership, critics argue his decision to seek additional terms has strained the country’s democratic norms. Still, at 83, Ouattara remains a dominant player in West African politics.
7. Emmerson Mnangagwa — Zimbabwe (Age 83)
Known as “The Crocodile,” Emmerson Mnangagwa took over in 2017 after Robert Mugabe’s dramatic ouster. Eight years later, at 83, Mnangagwa faces many of the same challenges that defined Mugabe’s later years — economic hardship, inflation, and public frustration. His grip on power remains strong despite persistent calls for reform.
8. Denis Sassou Nguesso — Republic of the Congo (Age 81)
Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled the Republic of the Congo for most of the past four decades, interrupted briefly in the 1990s before reclaiming power in 1997. His presidency has been marked by constitutional amendments that extended his stay in office. Now in his eighties, Sassou Nguesso continues to dominate Congolese politics with little sign of stepping aside.
9. Yoweri Museveni — Uganda (Age 81)
Yoweri Museveni has been Uganda’s president since 1986 — one of the longest uninterrupted tenures in Africa. Once celebrated as a reformer, Museveni’s legacy is now viewed through a more divided lens. His removal of presidential age and term limits ensured his continued rule, making him one of the continent’s most enduring leaders.
10. Joseph Boakai — Liberia (Age 80)
Joseph Boakai, inaugurated in January 2024, is among the few newly elected leaders on this list. Despite his recent ascent, the 80-year-old Liberian president is no stranger to governance, having served as vice president under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. His presidency focuses on accountability, anti-corruption, and reviving public trust in government institutions.