Education among African leaders varies widely, and in 2026, a number of presidents stand out for holding formal academic degrees. This list focuses on educated presidents in Africa, ranked by their highest degree earned, from PhDs to bachelor’s degrees, and includes verifiable information about their studies, institutions, and fields of specialization.
1. William Ruto — Kenya (PhD, MSc, BSc)
William Ruto holds a PhD in Plant Ecology, a Master’s in Plant Ecology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Zoology, all from the University of Nairobi. His doctoral research involved studying the interaction between plant species and environmental factors, while his master’s and undergraduate studies focused on related scientific areas. These degrees are documented and publicly verified through Kenyan academic records. With a PhD, William Ruto ranks among the most educated presidents in Africa today.
2. Alassane Ouattara — Côte d’Ivoire (PhD, MSc, BSc)
Alassane Ouattara completed his higher education in the United States. He holds a PhD in Economics, a Master’s in Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Science, with his doctoral degree awarded by the University of Pennsylvania. His studies in economics and science are publicly documented through university and professional records. Ouattara’s academic qualifications form part of his public profile and make him one of the better-documented educated presidents in Africa in terms of formal degrees.
3. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud — Somalia (PhD, MA, Undergraduate Diploma)
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud brings a deeply intellectual profile to leadership. He holds a PhD in Peace, Governance and Development, a Master’s in Technical Education, and an undergraduate diploma in technology. His academic credentials are intertwined with his work in education reform, peacebuilding, and institutional reconstruction in Somalia, a nation that has faced decades of conflict.
4. Bassirou Diomaye Faye — Senegal (Master’s)
Bassirou Diomaye Faye represents the new generation of African leaders with strong academic foundations. After earning his baccalaureate, he completed a Master’s degree in Law at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, one of West Africa’s leading institutions. He also undertook competitive administration training at Senegal’s National School of Administration, a credential that underpins his public service career.
5. Hakainde Hichilema — Zambia (MBA, BA)
Hakainde Hichilema has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Zambia. His academic qualifications are part of his publicly verifiable record, representing another example of formally educated presidents in Africa.
6. Samia Suluhu Hassan — Tanzania (MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Diploma)
Samia Suluhu Hassan holds an MSc in Community Economic Development, a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics from the University of Manchester, and a Diploma in Public Administration from Mzumbe University. These degrees are verified through official academic records. Her education covers economic development, public administration, and community-focused studies.
7. John Dramani Mahama — Ghana (BA, Postgraduate Studies)
John Mahama earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Ghana and has completed postgraduate studies in communication and social sciences. These academic credentials are publicly documented and cited in official biographies. His qualifications include both undergraduate and postgraduate study, making him one of the formally educated presidents in Africa in terms of degree attainment.
8. Cyril Ramaphosa — South Africa (BSc)
South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, a prominent figure in the anti‑apartheid movement and business leadership, holds a bachelor’s degree in law‑related studies. His academic background complements his extensive experience in negotiations, labour relations, and constitutional development. While not holding advanced postgraduate degrees, Ramaphosa’s formal education provided a foundation for his roles in trade unions and national governance.
8. Kaïs Saïed — Tunisia (Bachelor’s in Law + DEA)
Kaïs Saïed, the president of Tunisia, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) in Public International Law from the University of Tunis. Before becoming president, he worked as a constitutional law academic and jurist, and his formal education in law is well documented. Saïed’s academic background places him among the African leaders with verified university-level degrees.
10. Ibrahim Traoré — Burkina Faso (Bachelor’s in Science)
Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso, and the youngest president in Africa, completed a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Geology at the University of Ouagadougou. He pursued this academic training before his military and political career. Traoré’s degree is verifiable and qualifies him as one of the current African presidents with formal higher education.
