This list below includes the countries in East Africa and their presidents in 2025. It provides a clear view of the current political leaders in the region. It’s a useful resource for anyone interested in learning more about East Africa and its governance.
Eastern Africa is the eastern subregion of the African continent comprising two traditionally recognized regions: East Africa, made up of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda; and the Horn of Africa, made up of Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
The region is home to the two tallest peaks on the continent, Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, and the Great Rift Valley, a deep gorge shaped by tectonic forces. East Africa is also famous for its bodies of water and boasts both Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake, and Lake Tanganyika the world’s second deepest lake.
East Africa has been the continent’s fastest-growing region in recent years. It is home to several of the fastest-growing economies, including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
East African Countries and their Presidents
Below are the presidents of the various countries located in the East African region of Africa.
Burundi – Évariste Ndayishimiye
General Évariste Ndayishimiye is a Burundian politician who has served as President of Burundi since 18 June 2020.
Comoros – Azali Assoumani
Azali Assoumani is a Comorian politician and military officer who has served as President of the Comoros since April 2019. He was also president from 2002 to 2006 and 2016 to February 2019. He became head of state after staging a coup d’état in 1999 and was elected president in 2002, 2016 and April 2019.
Djibouti – Ismaïl Omar Guelleh
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is the current President of Djibouti. He has been in office since 1999, making him one of the longest-serving rulers in Africa.
Eritrea – Isaias Afwerki
Isaias Afwerki is an Eritrean political leader and partisan who has been the president of Eritrea since shortly after he led the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front to victory in May 1991, ending the 30-year-old war for independence from Ethiopia.
Ethiopia – Taye Atske Selassie
Taye Atske Selassie has been serving as the president of Ethiopia since October 7, 2024, succeeding Sahle-Work Zewde. He has held various ambassadorial roles at the United Nations and previously served as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Kenya – William Ruto
William Ruto is a Kenyan politician who is serving as the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022.
Madagascar – Andry Nirina Rajoelina
Andry Nirina Rajoelina is a Malagasy politician and businessman who has been the president of Madagascar since 2019.
Malawi – Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera
Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is a Malawian theologian and politician who has served as President of Malawi since June 2020.
Mauritius – Dharam Gokhool
Dharam Gokhool is the current president of Mauritius. He took the office in December 2024.
Mayotte – Ben Issa Ousseni
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France, and like Réunion, it does not have a separate president. The head of government is the President of the Departmental Council of Mayotte, which is currently Ben Issa Ousseni, who assumed office in 2021. However, the President of France, is the head of state for Mayotte as part of France.
Mozambique – Daniel Chapo
Daniel Chapo, a lawyer and jurist, became the fifth president of Mozambique and the seventh youngest president in Africa on January 15, 2025, following an election fraught with allegations of fraud. The election results were contested by both the opposition and the European Union. In the aftermath, deadly protests erupted, resulting in at least 250 fatalities, primarily demonstrators, who were killed by police and military forces.
Reunion – Marie-Huguette Antoinette Bello
The chief of state of the country Reunion is the French President Emmanuel Macron. The president of the General Council, who acts as head of the government, is Marie-Huguette Antoinette Bello.
Rwanda – Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame is a Rwandan politician and former military officer. He is the fourth and current president of Rwanda, having taken office in 2000.
Seychelles – Wavel Ramkalawan
Wavel Ramkalawan is a Seychellois politician and Anglican priest who has been serving as the president of Seychelles since 26 October 2020.
Somalia – Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is a Somali politician who has served as the president of Somalia since May 2022.
South Sudan – Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit, also known as Salva Kiir, is a South Sudanese politician who has been the President of South Sudan since its independence on 9 July 2011.
Tanzania – Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia Suluhu Hassan is a Tanzanian politician who has been serving since 19 March 2021 as the sixth president of Tanzania.
Uganda – Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni is a Ugandan politician who has been the 9th and current President of Uganda since 29 January 1986 making him one of the longest serving African leader today.
Last Updated: January, 2025.
