Ethiopis Tafara Named Among Africa’s 100 Most Influential for 2025

By Betegbar Yaregal– December 19, 2025

Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s regional Vice President for Africa, has been named to New African magazine’s prestigious ‘100 Most Influential Africans’ list for 2025.

The US national of Ethiopian origin is recognized for his role in global finance and development, representing a significant acknowledgment for the diaspora.

This year’s compilation features 21 individuals in the Business and Finance category, making it the largest segment.

The list includes both established figures and influential newcomers such as George Elombi, the newly appointed President of Afreximbank, and Hazem Ben-Gacem, the Tunisian investor known for scaling global ventures.

Technology also features strongly, with eight entries focused on pioneers developing African-centric artificial intelligence solutions, emphasizing local ownership and problem-solving.

In a recent interview with EBR, Ethiopis reflected on the changes in Addis Ababa. He shared, “My earliest memory of the city is walking home from St. Joseph School. My experiences from ages 11 to 16 are particularly vivid, as I witnessed dramatic city changes.

”Even compared to my 2021 visit, the development today shows significant and ongoing progress. It gives a very positive image of the country”, he added

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Ethiopia and Italy, Tafara holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and an AB from Princeton University.

He is fluent in Amharic, French, Italian, Spanish, and English. His work at the IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, involves financing critical development projects across Africa, with significant engagement in Ethiopia’s economic landscape.

In total, the list represents 32 African nations, featuring 64 men and 36 women. Nigeria leads with 21 entries, followed by South Africa with 10, and Kenya and Ghana with seven each.

According to New African Editor Anver Versi, the list reflects a trend of Africans “reclaiming the African narrative” across fields from AI ethics to the arts during a time of global uncertainty.