President John Dramani Mahama has been ranked 5th on Devex’s 2026 Power 50 list, placing him among the most influential figures shaping the future of global development in a rapidly changing post-aid era.
The annual Devex Power 50 highlights individuals wielding significant influence over global development policy, financing, and innovation at a time when traditional foreign aid is declining and new power centers are emerging.
According to Devex, power today is not only about money but about influence, the ability to shape policies, mobilise resources, and redefine how development is financed and delivered. The 2026 list comes amid major shifts, including reduced foreign assistance from the United States and other traditional donors, alongside growing roles for philanthropy, development finance institutions, the private sector, and emerging donors.
President Mahama, who assumed office in January for a non-consecutive second term, stands out as one of the most prominent political voices driving a fundamental rethink of Africa’s place in the global development architecture.
Why Mahama Ranks 5th
Devex cites President Mahama’s leadership in pushing for a “new deal” for African development, particularly his advocacy for debt relief, fairer global trade rules, and climate finance that reflects Africa’s realities rather than donor priorities.
Rather than adapting to shrinking aid flows, Mahama argues that Africa must renegotiate its position in the global economic order, moving away from dependency toward sovereignty, ownership, and sustainable financing models.
In August last year, he convenes African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts in Accra to launch a bold vision for African health sovereignty, anchored in national leadership and more equitable global cooperation. The initiative gains further momentum at the United Nations General Assembly in September, where discussions expand beyond health to development more broadly and position the agenda as a global, not just African, framework.
The effort, now known as the “Accra Reset,” seeks to mark the end of development-as-usual and calls for new governance, business, and financing models in response to declining U.S. aid. President Mahama serves as the initiative’s chief advocate, working closely with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who advises the process.
A Global Development Influencer
Devex notes that the most powerful actors in development today are often not the most obvious, operating behind the scenes across government, philanthropy, multilateral finance, health, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
President Mahama’s 5th-place ranking reflects his growing influence beyond Ghana, positioning him as a key figure to watch in shaping global development debates in 2026 and beyond.
