President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been named as one of the three most influential African leaders of 2017.

The New African Magazine annual 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017 also listed Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Guinean President Alpha Conde.

Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was listed in the Politics and Public Service category for his extraordinary caretaker role during President Muhammadu Buhari's 103-day medical leave.

The 2017 list, the magazine's most diverse, has more than eight categories namely politics and public service, business and finance, civil society and activism, education, science-technology-innovation, media, arts and culture.

At least 42 women were part of the hundred named.

Out of entries from 31 countries, 12 came from Francophone Africa with Nigeria topping the nomination list with 21 entries. South Africa came second with 14 names. 

Renowned business gurus such as Nigeria's Aliko Dangote, Tanzania's Mohammed Dewji, Angola’s Isabel dos Santos and Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais were named in the Business and Finance category.

The list also had a Deafblind Harvard University law graduate activist, a teen dance troop from a Ugandan, and a Mauritanian modern-day slavery abolitionist hero.

Group Publisher and Managing Director of IC Publication, Omar Ben Yedder has said the Magazine's readers will be pleased with the 2017 list because of its diverse nature.

"This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we love," he said in a statement.

Some popular new entries included the Triplets Ghetto Kids dance troop from Uganda, Ghanaian born new Editor of British Vogue Edward Kobina Enninful and Nigerian-British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie made a return in the Arts and Culture category but she was joined by Ghana's Adwoa Aboah and Hijab wearing Somali top model Halima Aden.

New African Magazine's Editor, Anver Versi has explained this year's list looked out for people whose work or activity has had some "transformative effect outside their main calling."

"Many in our selection have shattered the proverbial glass-ceilings or disability stigma and do so with great bravery, determination and personal sacrifice. Others yield economic power that impacts world markets," he added.