Most influential Africans of 2017 revealed

The New African Magazine has revealed its 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017. The list profiles both continental and Diaspora Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders, spread over eight categories, including politics, civil society activism, as well as arts and culture. For the first time since the magazine began publishing the list five years ago, the 2017 list features 42 women out of the one hundred, the highest number of female entries so far.A deaf blind Harvard University law graduate activist, an attitude-changing teen dance troop from a Ugandan slum, and a Mauritanian modern day slavery abolitionist hero, are among the fresh faces joining renown business magnates, political heavyweights and showbiz stars in the New African Magazine annual 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017 list released today. The list, the magazine’s most diverse to date, is spread over eight categories: politics and public service; business and finance; civil society and activism; education; science, technology and innovation; media; arts and culture; and sport - profiles both continental and Diaspora Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders.“What our readers will find pleasing is the almost bewildering diversity of this list in terms of race, ethnic and national diversity. This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we all love,” says Omar Ben Yedder, Group Publisher and Managing Director of IC Publications.Editor of The New African Magazine Anver Versi says there are a lot surprises in this year's list: