As of 2025, Africa has some long-serving presidents who have maintained their grip on power for over three decades. These leaders’ extended tenures often intertwine with issues of governance, democracy, and development.
Here are the top 5 longest serving African leaders in 2025 1. Paul Biya (Cameroon) – 50 Years Paul Biya has served as the President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. He is the second-longest-serving leader in Africa, the world’s oldest sitting non-royal national leader, and the oldest head of state globally.
2. Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) – 45 Years Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stands as Africa’s longest-serving president. He assumed power on August 3, 1979, after orchestrating a coup that ousted his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema. Over the decades, Obiang has maintained a firm hold on Equatorial Guinea, a nation rich in oil reserves yet marked by significant socio-economic disparities. His tenure has been characterized by allegations of human rights abuses and corruption, with limited political freedoms for the populace.
3. Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of Congo) – 39 Years Denis Sassou Nguesso’s political career has been marked by two distinct periods as the President of the Republic of Congo. His first tenure spanned from 1979 to 1992. After a brief hiatus, he returned to power in 1997 following a civil war and has remained in office since. In 2015, Sassou Nguesso orchestrated a constitutional referendum that removed presidential term limits, enabling him to seek re-election. The subsequent 2016 election saw him securing another term amidst opposition allegations of electoral fraud. His leadership has been characterized by efforts to maintain stability in a nation
4. Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) – 39 Years Yoweri Museveni has been Uganda’s president since January 29, 1986, after leading a successful guerrilla war that toppled the previous regime. Under his rule, Uganda has experienced periods of economic growth and relative stability. However, his extended tenure has also been marked by criticisms regarding democratic backsliding, suppression of political opposition, and human rights concerns. Constitutional amendments in 2005 and 2017 removed presidential term and age limits, respectively, allowing Museveni to extend his rule beyond the initially stipulated constraints.
5. Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea) – 32 Years Isaias Afwerki has been Eritrea’s first and only president since its independence in 1993, ruling with an iron grip under a single-party system without scheduled elections. His government is often regarded as one of the world’s most repressive, characterized by mandatory military conscription, strict media control, and severely restricted civil liberties.
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Top 5 Longest-serving African Presidents As Of 2025
