Who are the Most Educated Presidents in Africa?

Education is the backbone of any nation and very important for any individual. Have you ever wondered who are the most educated leaders in Africa?. Although most African presidents that don’t have masters, bachelor’s degree or even a high school certificate still lead their countries well, education is still very vital for any head(s) of state that would want to run a successful government.

In this post we shall take a look at the list of 10 most educated African Presidents or leaders who have attained higher education before they became Presidents of their countries. The names of African presidents on this list also have master’s degree to their credit.

List of 10 Most Educated African Presidents

10. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia

The current president of Liberia is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She had her studies at the Madison Business College and the College of West Africa. In 1970, she also studied at the Economics Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Ellen Johnson Sirlef educational qualifications includes: Bachelor of Economics (BEc), Master of Public Administration (M.P.Adm.), and Associate Degree in Accounting (A.A.)

9. President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo

9th on our list of educated Presidents in Africa is Faure Gnassingbe who finished his secondary school education in Lome. He bagged a degree in financial business management at Paris, France with an MBA at the prestigious George Washington University, USA. President Faure Gnassingbe Educational Qualifications includes: Bachelor of Business (B.B.A) and Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A).

8. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe

Although, Zimbabwe is clamouring for a change to Africa’s longest serving leader Robert Mugabe, he is still the President of Zimbabwe. Most top sites see Mugabe as the only African President with the highest educational qualification. As rigid as Mugabe is, he has flare for education which according to an authoritative ranking sees Zimbabwe as the most educated country in Africa. Mugabe’s Educational Qualifications includes: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Administration (B.A.A), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Master of Science (M.Sc).

7. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of Mali

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is the current President of Mali. He had his education at various top institutions of the world. His Educational Qualifications include: Master of Political Science (M.S.) and Master’s degree in History (M.A.)

6. President Ameenah Gurib of Mauritius

Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is among the list of female presidents in Africa with a PhD. She moved to Mahébourg Loreto Convent after completing her primary schooling at Saint-Patrice.  She also bagged a B.Sc in Chemistry in 1983 at the University of Surrey, England and her PhD in organic chemistry at the Exeter University. Dr. Ameenah Gurib Educational Qualifications include: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.Sc.) and PhD in Organic Chemistry.

5. President Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia

Also on the list of Presidents in Africa with Ph.D is President Malatu Teshome of Ethopia who has been in power since 7th October, 2013. He studied in China where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in philosophy of political economy with a doctorate in international law at the prestigious Peking University. His Educational Qualifications include: Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy (B.Phil.) and Ph.D. in International Law.

4. President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire

Alassane Dramane Ouattara is also one the African Presidents with a masters degree and Ph.D. He attended the Drexel Institute of Technology and graduated with a BSc degree in Philadelphia. He also had his master’s degree in economics and a PhD in economics from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in the United States of America. His Educational Qualifications include: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Economics (M.Econ.) and Ph.D. in Economics.

3. President Peter Mutharika of Malawi

Dr. Peter Mutharika studied Law at the University of London where he earned his LL.M and Doctor of the Science of Law degrees from the popular Yale University. His Educational Qualifications include:  Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Master of Laws (LL.M) and Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.).

2. King Mohammed VI of Morocco

Mohammed VI is the current richest King in Africa. He finished his primary and secondary education at the Royal College earning his Baccalaureate in 1981. He also has a bachelor’s degree in law at the Mohammed V University at Agdal plus a PhD in law from French University of Nice. His Educational Qualifications include: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Master of Advanced Studies (M.A.S.) and Doctor of Law (J.D.).

1. President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin

Since 6th April, 2006, Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi has been in power as Benin president. He is another African leader with educational qualifications. His Educational Qualifications include: PhD in Economics and Political, Master of Economics (M.Econ.)

What’s your take on these list of Most Educated African Presidents who have bagged the best degrees in top prestigious universities of the world? Do you think their qualifications has helped them add to the rise or fall of their various countries.