Africa's Presidents

Here is a current list of some African heads of state and government (as of 2026), limited to a few selected countries. Here comes the question of all questions: Which president "supports" his relative with a position in his government? And there are quite a few. Several African presidents have appointed close relatives to government positions, including cabinet ministers, vice presidents, and advisors. Here are the most notable examples documented since 2023: Examples of current presidents Algeria: Abdelmadjid Tebboune (since 2019). There is no evidence that Abdelmadjid Tebboune secured high-ranking positions for his family members. His son, Khaled Tebboune, was imprisoned and charged with corruption in 2018 for allegedly using his father's influence to secure a building permit for a business associate—however, this occurred before Tebboune's presidency and was considered more of an incriminating circumstance. Biographies of Tebboune do not mention any official positions held by other family members, such as his wife or children. Egypt: Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi. - His son Mahmoud Sisi has been promoted to Major General and is considered one of the deputy directors of the Egyptian intelligence service General Intelligence Directorate (Mukhabarat), which gives him a central role in the country's internal security apparatus. - Other children and relatives. Several biographies and reports mention that other sons and members of the immediate family are also positioned in the state's security and administrative apparatus or benefit from protected economic sectors, which is criticized as "family clan politics". Equatorial Guinea: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema - Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (son): Vice President Angola: João Lourenço (since 2017). On the contrary, Lourenço is known for having removed the family members of his predecessor José Eduardo dos Santos from key positions after taking office in 2017 in order to combat corruption. Benin: Patrice Talon (since 2016). - Johannes Dagnon (maternal cousin): Director of the Bureau d'analyse et d'investigation. - René Talon (cousin): Responsible for presidential communications. Botswana: Duma Gideon Boko. There is currently no publicly documented evidence for this. Burkina Faso: General Ibrahim Traoré (de facto leader; official designation varies). There is no credible evidence for this. Cameroon: Paul Biya (since 1982). - His son Franck Emmanuel Biya as Vice President of Cameroon, after this position was reintroduced in 2026. Republic of Congo: Denis Sassou-Nguesso. - Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso (son): Cabinet Minister (Oil Department) Democratic Republic of Congo: Félix Tshisekedi (since 2019). Félix Tshisekedi has appointed family members to positions, a practice criticized as nepotism within the context of the UDPS party and his government. The UDPS is often described as a "family business" because Tshisekedi assumed party leadership and installed relatives in key positions. He uses the party to consolidate family power. Nepotism is a systemic problem in the DRC that persists. The opposition and observers criticize this as a reversal of election promises against corruption. Concrete examples include the close ties to family clans in politics, which were already common under Kabila and previous regimes. Ivory Coast: Alassane Ouattara (or the current incumbent after the 2025 elections, depending on the circumstances). - Gaoussou Ouattara (brother): Minister Gabon: President Ali Bongo (2019). - Noureddin Bongo Valentin (son): Coordinator for Presidential Affairs Ghana: John Dramani Mahama. There is no confirmed evidence for this. Kenya: William Ruto (since 2022). - June Ruto, she was linked to a position in the Department of Defense as Ruto's daughter, even though Ruto had previously promised not to appoint any family members. Other relatives. Reports mention siblings such as Samuel Ruto Cheruiyot (entrepreneur) or David Samoei Ruto (financial manager in the USA), but no direct positions under Ruto. Malawi: President Lazarus Chakwera (2021). Violet Chakwera (daughter): Personal assistant to the President Morocco (King): Mohammed VI (King and Head of State, not “President” in the republican sense). - His brother Moulay Rachid is one of the most famous princes of the Alaouite dynasty and regularly undertakes public representation and diplomatic duties, although he does not hold a formal government office. - His sisters Lalla Hasna and Lalla Asma have in the past been more active in social and cultural projects, and less so in direct government positions. Observers point out that close relatives and brothers-in-law traditionally hold top positions in state-owned companies, banks, and security agencies, suggesting a strong connection between the crown and the economy. In reform debates following the "Arab Spring," it was also criticized that although the king reformed institutions, the family still retained considerable influence over the economy and administration. Nigeria: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (since 2023). - Oluremi Tinubu (wife), she was a long-time senator for the Lagos-Central Senate district and is thus one of the most well-known political actors in Lagos as well as a central figure in Tinubu's political network. - Relatives and political apparatuses: In the past, several family members and close confidants have been placed in important positions in the Lagos government and in party apparatuses, such as in administrations, authorities or political organizations. Senegal: Bassirou Diomaye Faye (since 2024). There are no confirmed reports about this. Zimbabwe: President Emmerson Mnangagwa - Neville Mutsvangwa (nephew): Foreign and Security Policy South Sudan: President Salva Kiir (2025). Adut Kiir (daughter): Presidential advisor for special programs South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa. Critics accuse Ramaphosa of profiting through cronyism and networks of party colleagues and business partners, for example through his large private farm Phala-Phala and corruption allegations surrounding the “Sofagate” scandal ($4 million in cash). However, the public debate tends to focus on the accusation that he keeps loyal ANC cadres and controversial politicians (e.g. David Mabuza) in the cabinet or within the party, rather than that he has placed his own relatives in high government positions. Ramaphosa's wife, Tshepo Motsepe, is the sister of billionaire Patrice Motsepe; this connection is a social and economic network, not directly a distribution channel of government posts to his children or siblings. Media reports and parliamentary debates have so far focused on personal and financial scandals (e.g., burglary, finding money, influence peddling) and his dealings with party figures, not on a classic, family-centered “nepotism clique” in the style of the Zuma regime. Tanzania: Samia Suluhu Hassan (since 2021). In a major cabinet reshuffle, President Hassan appointed both her daughter and her son-in-law: - Mohamed Mchengerwa (son-in-law): Minister of Health - Wanu Hafidh Ameir (daughter): Deputy Minister of Education Tunisia: Kais Saied (since 2019). His brother, Naoufel Saied, was campaign manager in 2019 and speaks publicly on political issues without holding a formal position. Critics see nepotism-like tendencies in his influence, but Naoufel remains a lawyer and has no government role. Other family members, such as their deceased uncle Hicham Saied or their father, are not associated with any official positions. Uganda: Yoweri Museveni (since 1986). Janet Museveni (wife): Minister of Education and Sport - Muhoozi Kainerugaba (son): Chief of the Defense Forces (military) - Natasha Karugire (daughter): Involved in state affairs Rwanda: President Paul Kagame (2023). - Ange Kagame (daughter): Deputy Executive Director of the Strategy and Policy Council - Ian Kagame (son): President of the Presidential Guard This pattern is not limited to presidents, but is also found among other African heads of state. In Nigeria, for example, governors have appointed relatives – the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, appointed his nephew, the musician Davido, as head of the sports fund, while former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed relatives of his spouse to various government positions.