Famous Black Prime Ministers

Abiy Ahmed is an Ethiopian politician and the current prime minister of Ethiopia. Since becoming the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed has been lauded for launching a wide program of economic and political reforms in Ethiopia. He also played a major role in ending the 20-year Eritrean–Ethiopian War for which he was honored with the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Robert Mugabe was a Zimbabwean revolutionary. He played a major role in the Rhodesian Bush War, which eventually led to the Lancaster House Agreement, resulting in the creation of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Subsequently, Mugabe served as the first prime minister of Zimbabwe and later as its president. A controversial figure, Mugabe is also often criticized for his tyrannical ways.

Portia Simpson-Miller is a Jamaican politician best known for her service as the Prime Minister of Jamaica on two occasions; from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2016. From 2005 to 2017, Portia Simpson-Miller served as the leader of the People's National Party. 

Nigerian politician Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as the only Prime Minister of Nigeria following the country’s independence. He was deputy-leader of NPC and became Prime Minister after the party won the plurality of votes in 1957 in the Federal House of Representatives. He continued to serve the position after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and got re-elected in 1964.

Ethiopian revolutionary-turned-politician Meles Zenawi served as the prime minister of Ethiopia. A medical school drop-out, he abandoned his studies to join the Tigrai Peoples Liberation Front. His reforms made Ethiopian economy as well as its education and agricultural sectors stronger. He died of an undisclosed ailment.

Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa was a Zimbabwean politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from 1 June 1979 to 18 April 1980. He also served as a bishop at the United Methodist Church (UMC).

Ahmadou Ahidjo was a Cameroonian politician who served as the first president of Cameroon from 1960 to 1982. He played an important role in helping Cameroon attain independence from France. He also played a major role in reuniting the English and French-speaking parts of the country. Ahmadou Ahidjo is also credited with establishing a centralized political system in Cameroon.