King Mohammed VI Among Top “Influential Political Leaders”

King Mohammed VI was listed among New African Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people, which released in December’s issue their annual list of political pioneers, renowned business leaders and show business stars.

The King has made it to the Magazine’s list of 18 political and public service figures in the continent. It includes heavyweights along with other political leaders, such as Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo Addo, Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, Guinean President, Alpha Condé, and Nigerian United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina J. Mohammed.

The magazine’s list is divided in eight categories: public service, business and finance, civil society and activism, education, science, technology and innovation, media, arts and culture, sports and politics.

Two Moroccan businessmen  are also featured in the business and finance category of  the Magazine’s 100 inspiring African leaders. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Minister of Trade and Industry and Mohamed El Kettani, CEO of Attijariwafa Bank both were featured among Africa’s most influential business leaders.

“Our criteria for “influential” this year was a fairly simple one – it is applied to people whose work or activity has had some sort of transformative effect outside their main calling,” said Anver Versi, the magazine’s Editor.

Versi added that “this effect results in a change of perception and provides inspiration to others. Many in our selection have shattered the proverbial glass-ceilings or disability stigma and do so with great bravery, determination and personal sacrifice […] Others yield economic power that impacts world markets.”

King Mohammed VI has made it to different lists of international leaders in various fields, such as Jeune Afrique’s 50 Most Influential Africans, and the Royal Islamic Center for Strategic Studies’s 2014 survey on the most influential personalities 500 leaders in the Muslim world.

The monarch was honored  by  the Jordanian Royal Islamic Center for Strategic Studies for his “momentous” influence over Muslims in Africa in  November.