Leadership and governance

Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership: winners and how it is awarded

The Ibrahim Prize, created by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2007, honours former African heads of state or government who were democratically elected and left office at the end of their constitutional term. It has been awarded in only some years.^1,3

How the winner is chosen

An independent Prize Committee of eminent figures considers former African executive heads of state or government who were democratically elected, left office in the last three years, served their constitutionally mandated term and demonstrated exceptional leadership. The foundation says the prize is not a first prize and there is not necessarily a laureate every year.

Winners

1. 2020Mahamadou Issoufou²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
2. 2017Ellen Johnson Sirleaf²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
3. 2014Hifikepunye Pohamba²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
4. 2011Pedro Pires²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
5. 2008Festus Mogae²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
6. 2007Joaquim Chissano²Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
7. 2007Nelson Mandela²Honorary Laureate

Not awarded in: {'year': 2024, 'note': 'The foundation states there was no winner of the 2024 Ibrahim Prize', 'sources': ['mip']}, {'year': 2009, 'note': 'No award', 'sources': ['wmi']}, {'year': 2012, 'note': 'No winner. Desmond Tutu received a special prize', 'sources': ['wmi']}, {'year': 2013, 'note': 'No winner', 'sources': ['wmi']}, {'year': 2015, 'note': 'No winner', 'sources': ['wmi']}, {'year': 2016, 'note': 'No winner', 'sources': ['wmi']}.

Notable facts

Sources

1. Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership (27 October 2026)
2. Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Laureates (27 October 2026)
3. Wikipedia, Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership (27 October 2026)