President Mahama Ranked 5th on Devex’s Powerful 50 List for Championing Accra Reset Agenda
President John Dramani Mahama, has been ranked fifth on the Devex Power 50 list of the world’s most influential figures in global development and social change, in recognition of his leadership in advancing the “Accra Reset” agenda.
The ranking, compiled by international development media platform Devex, credits President Mahama for translating the long-standing “Africa Beyond Aid” narrative into concrete, market-oriented policies that attract development finance while safeguarding national ownership and policy autonomy.
According to Devex, Mahama’s inclusion in the top five reflects his growing influence in reshaping how African countries engage global development partners at a time of major shifts in financing models and donor priorities.
Although President Mahama stands out as one of the highest-ranking political leaders on the list, the Devex Power 50 also features a diverse mix of actors shaping the future of development.
In the philanthropy and finance space, figures such as Alexander Berger of Open Philanthropy and Nidhi Sahni of the Bridgespan Group are highlighted for their role in directing billions of dollars in private capital toward development outcomes.
The list also recognises technology-driven change agents, including Zipline Chief Executive Officer Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, whose work integrates artificial intelligence and robotics into healthcare delivery across Africa.
Global health reformers such as Muhammad Ali Pate are cited for efforts to strengthen health systems and improve preparedness for future pandemics, while influential policy architects like Avinash Persaud are acknowledged for shaping new approaches to global climate finance.
Devex notes that contemporary power in development increasingly rests with individuals who shape “policies, people, and purse strings,” often working beyond traditional political structures.
By placing President Mahama among the top five, Devex underscores the growing role of African capitals such as Accra in steering global development conversations and decision-making. His leadership under the Accra Reset is seen as emblematic of a broader shift in how developing countries assert influence and negotiate their place in the global system.
The Devex Power 50 list highlights individuals driving transformation in the development sector amid what it describes as “tectonic shifts,” including declining traditional aid flows and the expansion of private-sector-led development finance.
Mahama’s ranking positions him at the forefront of a new cohort of leaders navigating the retreat of conventional foreign assistance while advancing alternative growth and financing strategies.
Central to President Mahama’s recognition is his promotion of the Accra Reset, a strategic framework aimed at redefining Africa’s engagement with development partners in the Global North. As major donors such as the United States scale back foreign aid commitments, Mahama has emerged as a prominent advocate for a “post-aid” development model for Africa.
The Accra Reset prioritises domestic resource mobilisation, deeper regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the deployment of technology to accelerate development outcomes and overcome structural constraints.
