Famous Senegalese People

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 1 
Patrice Evra
(French Former Professional Footballer)
Patrice Evra
21
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 2 
Sadio Mané
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Sadio Mané
76
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bambali

Sadio Mané is one of the greatest Senegalese football players of all time. He is Senegal's fifth all-time top goal-scorer and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2020. One of Liverpool's key players, Sadio serves as an inspiration to youngsters as he succeeded as a footballer in spite of his father forbidding him from playing as a child.

 3 
Akon
(Solo R&B and Hip-Hop Artist to Hold Both No.1 & No.2 Position at Billboard Hot 100 Simultaneously Twice)
Akon
49
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: St. Louis

Akon is one of the most successful R&B, hip hop and rap singers in the world. His albums Trouble, Konvicted, Freedom, El Negreeto and Akonda have many chartbusters songs. He has also founded record labels Akonik Label Group, KonLive Distribution and Konvict Mizik. He courted controversy in 2007 for an onstage act involving simulated sex with a 15-year-old girl.

 4 
Tacko Fall
(Basketball player)
Tacko Fall
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 10, 1995
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 7'5" (226 cm)
 5 
Édouard Mendy
(Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Édouard Mendy
15
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 1, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montivilliers
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 6 
Kalidou Koulibaly
(French Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Kalidou Koulibaly
13
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 20, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint-Dié-des-Vosges

Born to Senegalese parents in France, Kalidou Koulibaly initially played for France U20 and then captained the Senegal national team. He took Senegal to the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He has often opened up about racism, especially after once being called a “monkey” by a Florentina fan.

 7 
Anna Diop
(Actress)
Anna Diop
9
Birthdate: February 6, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 8 
Papiss Cissé
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Papiss Cissé
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 3, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 9 
Youssou N'Dour
(Senegalese Musician and Former Culture Minister Who Pioneered the Mbalax Genre)
Youssou N'Dour
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 1, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dakar

Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour is known for popularizing the musical genre mbalax. The Grammy Award- and Praemium Imperiale-winning singer has also served as Senegal’s culture and tourism minister. Initially part of the Star Band, he later formed Étoile de Dakar. He has also starred in the British-American movie Amazing Grace.

 10 
Aliou Cissé
(Senegalese Professional Football Coach and Former Player)
Aliou Cissé
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 24, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ziguinchor
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 11 
Demba Ba
(Former French Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Forward)
Demba Ba
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 25, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sèvres

Demba Ba is a former professional footballer who played as a striker in several teams, including Chelsea, West Ham United, and Newcastle United. He started playing football as a child and made his first-team debut with the team Rouen in 2005. He has been associated with many clubs since turning professional. He has also played for the Senegal national team. 

 12 
Bacary Sagna
(French Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Right Back)
Bacary Sagna
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 14, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sens
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 13 
Léopold Sédar Senghor
(1st President of Senegal)
Léopold Sédar Senghor
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 9, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Joal Fadiout
Died: December 20, 2001

Léopold Sédar Senghor was a Senegalese cultural theorist, poet, and politician. He was Senegal's first president, a position in which he served from 1960 to 1980. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most prominent African intellectuals, Senghor is credited with founding the Senegalese Democratic Bloc party. Senghor received many awards, including the African Studies Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

 14 
Mamadou N'Diaye
(Basketball player)
Mamadou N'Diaye
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 14, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dakar
 15 
Ali Dia
(Senegalese Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Ali Dia
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 20, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 16 
Keita Baldé Diao
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger)
Keita Baldé Diao
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 8, 1995
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Arbúcies
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 17 
Diafra Sakho
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Diafra Sakho
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 24, 1989
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Guédiawaye
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 18 
Baaba Maal
(Singer)
Baaba Maal
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 12, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Podor
 19 
Cheikhou Kouyaté
(Senegalese Football Central Midfielder or Centre-Back)
Cheikhou Kouyaté
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 21, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar

Senegalese footballer Cheikhou Kouyaté who has played as both a midfielder and a defender is now associated with the club Nottingham Forest. Starting his senior career with the Belgian team RWDM Brussels, he later won 4 Belgian Pro Leagues with Anderlecht. He was also part of the 2021 African Cup of Nations-winning Senegalese team.

 20 
Dame N'Doye
(Senegalese Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Dame N'Doye
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 21, 1985
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Thiès
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 21 
Mame Biram Diouf
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Mame Biram Diouf
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 16, 1987
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 22 
Askia Muhammad I
(The Founder of the Askia Dynasty of the Songhai Empire)
Askia Muhammad I
0
Birthdate: 1443 AD
Birthplace: Futa Tooro
Died: 1538 AD

Askia Mohammad I, or Askia the Great, established the Askia Dynasty of the Songhai Empire and reigned as its first ruler. Known for his efficient administration, than his fighting prowess, he introduced provinces and provincial governors in his kingdom. He also developed trade with Asia and Europe.

 23 
Abdoulaye Wade
(Politician)
Abdoulaye Wade
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 29, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kébémer Department

Former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade and the current Senegalese Democratic Party secretary-general Abdoulaye Wade had practiced as a lawyer in France for a while after completing his PhD. Following his return to Senegal, he became an academic. His presidency was plagued by charges of corruption and nepotism.

 24 
Henri Camara
(Senegalese Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Henri Camara
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 10, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 25 
Ousmane Sembène
(Senegalese film director)
Ousmane Sembène
1
Birthdate: January 1, 1923
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ziguinchor
Died: June 9, 2007
 26 
Aïssa Maïga
(Senegal-born French Activist, Actress, Producer, Writer, and Director)
Aïssa Maïga
1
Birthdate: May 25, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar

Aïssa Maïga is a Senegal-born French activist, actress, producer, writer, and director. She has worked with top auteurs like Abderrahmane Sissako, Michael Haneke, and Michel Gondry. An advocate for inclusion, Aïssa Maïga has been voicing her opinion on racial discrimination in the industry throughout her career.

 27 
Alfred Gomis
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Alfred Gomis
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 5, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ziguinchor
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 28 
Abdou Diouf
(Politician)
Abdou Diouf
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 7, 1935
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Louga

Abdou Diouf is a Senegalese politician who served as the president of Senegal from 1981 to 2000. Abdou Diouf is renowned for gracefully surrendering power to his successor Abdoulaye Wade, thereby contributing immensely to African peace. Wade went on to say that Diouf deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for exiting without violence.

 29 
Mamadou Niang
(Senegalese Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Mamadou Niang
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 13, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Matam
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 30 
Diomansy Kamara
(Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Diomansy Kamara
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 31 
Maurice Ndour
(Basketball player)
Maurice Ndour
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 18, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Thiès
Height: 6'9" (206 cm)
 32 
Khoudia Diop
(Model)
Khoudia Diop
3
Birthdate: December 31, 1996
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Senegal
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 33 
DeSagana Diop
(Basketball player)
DeSagana Diop
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 7'0" (213 cm)
 34 
El Hadji Diouf
(Senegalese Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Winger / a Forward)
El Hadji Diouf
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 35 
Frank Vandenbroucke
(Belgian Road Racing Cyclist)
Frank Vandenbroucke
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 6, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mouscron
Died: October 12, 2009

Frank Vandenbroucke was a Belgian road racing cyclist. Despite his troubles with drug addiction, Vandenbroucke was seen as a bright prospect and a great hope for Belgian cycling. However, his addiction ultimately led to his estrangement from the world of cycling. Frank Vandenbroucke died at the age of 34 due to a pulmonary embolism.

 36 
Oumar Niasse
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Oumar Niasse
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 18, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ouakam
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 37 
Richard Bohringer
(Actor)
Richard Bohringer
0
Birthdate: January 16, 1942
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Moulins
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 38 
Mariama Bâ
(Writer)
Mariama Bâ
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dakar
Died: August 17, 1981
 39 
Youssoupha Fall
(Basketball player)
Youssoupha Fall
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 12, 1995
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 7'4" (224 cm)
 40 
Diarra Sylla
(Singer)
Diarra Sylla
5
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 30, 2001
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris
 41 
Henri Saivet
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Henri Saivet
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 26, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 42 
Macky Sall
(The 4th President of Senegal)
Macky Sall
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 11, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Fatick

The 4th president of Senegal, Macky Sall has previously also been Senegal’s prime minister and the President of the National Assembly. Initially part of the Senegalese Democratic Party, he later joined the Alliance for the Republic. He has also been Senegal’s minister of mines, energy, and water, and the mayor of Fatick.

 43 
Ismaël Lô
(Musician)
Ismaël Lô
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 30, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dogondoutchi
 44 
Karim Mané
(Basketball player)
Karim Mané
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 16, 2000
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 45 
ʿUmar Tal
(West African Islamic Scholar Who Founded the Short-Lived Toucouleur Empire)
ʿUmar Tal
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1794 AD
Birthplace: Halvar
Died: February 12, 1864

ʿUmar Tal was a West African Islamic scholar, political leader, Toucouleur military commander, and Tijani Sufi. He is best remembered for founding the short-lived Toucouleur Empire, which encompassed much of present-day Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, and Mali. ʿUmar Tal remains an important figure in Senegal, Mali, and Guinea. 

 46 
Famara Diédhiou
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Famara Diédhiou
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Saint-Louis
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 47 
Mamadou N'Diaye
(Basketball player)
Mamadou N'Diaye
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 16, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dakar
Height: 7'0" (213 cm)
 48 
Blaise Diagne
(Political Leader)
Blaise Diagne
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 13, 1872
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gorée
Died: May 11, 1934

Blaise Diagne was a Senegalese-French political leader who became the first black African elected to the French Chamber of Deputies. He was also the first to hold a position in the French government. He actively advocated for equal rights for all and was a pioneer of black African electoral politics. He was a freemason.

 49 
Pape Diouf
(Journalist)
Pape Diouf
1
Birthdate: December 18, 1951
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Abeche
Died: March 31, 2020
 50 
Khouma Babacar
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Khouma Babacar
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 17, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Thiès
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
Remember the famous poet Phillis Wheatley and her works, ‘On Imagination’ and ‘Atheism’. Do you know that she was a Senegalese? Wheatley was the first African American woman to become a published writer. From being a slave to a renowned poet, Wheatley travelled a long way. Do you find it hard to wrap up your list of world-famous rap artists without the mention of Akon? Do you know that he is a Senegalese too? A child prodigy, Akon’s single ‘Lonely’ was featured in top five list on Billboard Hot 100 charts. Patrick Vieira, French midfielder, has captained Arsenal in several FA Cup tournaments. A Senegalese, he was also the part of the French world cup victory team of 1998. Know more about famous Senegalese, their life and works with this write-up.