President John Dramani Mahama has been ranked fifth on the Devex Power 50 list of the most powerful people in global development and changemaking, earning recognition for his leadership and advocacy of the Accra Reset.
The prestigious list, compiled by respected global development publication Devex, highlights 50 individuals shaping the sector at a time of what it describes as “tectonic shifts” in the global development landscape.
Mahama’s placement among the top five positions him at the forefront of a new generation of leaders responding to the pullback of traditional foreign aid and the growing influence of private-sector-driven growth. His inclusion reflects a broader shift in how power and influence are exercised within international development.
Central to Mahama’s recognition is the Accra Reset — a bold framework aimed at redefining the relationship between African nations and the global North. As the United States and other major donors reduce their foreign assistance commitments, Mahama has emerged as a leading proponent of a “post-aid” Africa.
The Accra Reset prioritises domestic resource mobilisation, expanded regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the strategic use of technology to overcome longstanding development challenges. According to Devex, Mahama has gone beyond the rhetoric of “Africa Beyond Aid” by advancing practical, market-driven policies that attract development finance while safeguarding national sovereignty.
Devex notes that Mahama’s influence extends across several critical areas, underscoring his role in reshaping development thinking at a global level.
Beyond political leadership, the Devex Power 50 list features a diverse group of changemakers driving transformation across the sector. In philanthropy and finance, figures such as Alexander Berger of Open Philanthropy and Nidhi Sahni of the Bridgespan Group are highlighted for their control over significant private capital flows.
Technological innovation is represented by leaders like Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO of Zipline, recognized for deploying AI and robotics to improve healthcare delivery across Africa. In global health, reformers such as Muhammad Ali Pate are acknowledged for strengthening health systems to better withstand future pandemics.
The list also draws attention to influential “behind-the-scenes” players — individuals who shape policies, influence decision-makers, and control funding streams. Among them is Avinash Persaud, noted for his role in redefining global climate finance.
By ranking President Mahama among the top five, Devex signals a shift in the geography of global influence, acknowledging that the future of development is increasingly being shaped from capitals such as Accra.
Mahama’s leadership through the Accra Reset reflects a broader rebalancing of power, as developing nations assert greater agency and demand a stronger voice in global decision-making.
