International Influence: 10 Power Men in Africa to Follow on Twitter

Don Jazzy

Award- winning record producer, singer songwriter

Nigeria

Twitter Handle:@DonJazzy
Followers: 463,632

Don Jazzy is an award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter, musician, and former CEO of Nigerian record label Mo’ Hits Records. Following a very public split with childhood friend, and Mo’ Hits co-founder, D’banj, Don Jazzy launched Mavin Records in 2012. After launching the Mavin Records website, Don Jazzy introduced fans to the Mavin League, a social network where fans can interact, and hear the latest news and updates about the label. Mavin Records’ portfolio of artists includes Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage who has worked with top US acts including Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige and Kelly Clarkson. Don Jazzy was recently listed on the Forbes Most Powerful Celebrity in Africa List.

Tony Elumelu

Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited

Nigerian
Twitter Handle: @TonyOElumelu
Followers: 23,390

Tony O. Elumelu is an economist, banker, investor and philanthropist, and one of the most respected business leaders on the continent. Elumelu is chairman of Heirs Holdings, an African proprietary investment firm that focuses on long-term investment in the most promising sectors in Africa. A keen philanthropist, Elumelu is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded non-profit organization. The organization’s mission is to identify and groom African business leaders and entrepreneurs to enhance the competitiveness and growth of Africa’s burgeoning private sector. Elumelu is a leading proponent of Africapitalism, an economic philosophy that embodies the African private sector’s commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investments creating both economic prosperity combined with social wealth.

Will Mutua

Founder of Afrinnovator

Kenya
Twitter Handle: @Afrinnovator
Followers: 13,389

Will Mutua is the founder of Afrinnovator an internationally renowned website providing readers with an invaluable resource on all things surrounding African technology and economic development, including startups and innovation across the continent. Mutua contributes invaluable and in-depth local knowledge and analytical insights into the development of technology in Africa, particularly topics including entrepreneurship and IT growth. He is also the co-author of Innovative Africa: The New Face of Africa, a collection of essays on technology innovation & entrepreneurship in Africa, which was published in 2012.

January Makamba

Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology

Tanzania
Twitter Handle: @JMakamba
Followers: 26,504

In 2009, Tanzania’s president introduced January Makamba to President Barack Obama. Obama was impressed with the young politician’s charisma, commenting that Makamba was the sort of politician needed to aid the transformation of Africa. Â A keen adopter of social media in an environment where politicians do not embrace social networking as robustly as their American counterparts, Makamba is among the most enthusiastic African politician’s on Twitter.

Last year, Makamba launched the Bumbuli Development Corporation and borrowed $10 million from Wall Street philanthropists to be invested in bonds with dividends to spend in his constituency, Bumbuli. With the objective of leveraging the corporation as a driver for development and private enterprise, this young lawmaker is already making a significant impact on Tanzania politics.

Paul Kagame

President of the Republic of Rwanda

Rwanda
Twitter Handle: @PaulKagame
Followers: 108,214

Paul Kagame is one of a few African presidents who are active on Twitter. Kagame became well known on the international arena as the leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), whose military victory effectively ended the Rwandan genocide. Popular with many western leaders for several years, under Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has been called by many business and social analysts Africa’s “biggest success storyâ€. Transforming from a nation ravaged by genocide to a country where peace is the order of the day, roads are well maintained and tourism continues to grow at a rapid rate. Kagame is not without critics who claim his leadership style is authoritarian.

Sbusiso Loepe

DJ, Social Entrepreneur and Recording Artist

South Africa
Twitter Handle: @DJSbu
Followers: 189,730

Known to most South Africans as DJ Sbu and voted ‘Sunday Times Coolest Brand of 2012,’ Sbusiso Loepe is a popular entertainer, media personality, philanthropist, and businessman. Championing the development of the poor and disadvantaged, DJ Sbu regularly visits South African high schools in an effort to uplift and encourage disillusioned youth.
Believed by some to be Mzekezeke (a masked Kwaito artist), he is the co-founder of TS Records and has worked on some of the most influential radio stations in the country such as YFM and Metro FM.
DJ Sbu is well known for combining kasi lingo (slang) and English in his shows, instantly allowing the masses to relate to him, which firmly positions him as one of the most popular DJs in South Africa.

Please note that this was the Twitter information as of the publishing date.