President Duma Boko has been named one of the leaders on the Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 list, being recognised for leading the seismic change last year that brought Botswana’s first change in political power since Independence in 1966.
The Time’s list includes leaders, artists, icons, titans, pioneers and innovators from across the globe who are driving change across the world.
“It includes nine leaders who are fighting for justice, equality, and democracy, at a moment when the rights of so many are at stake,” Time’s researchers wrote at the unveiling of the list yesterday.
In the leader’s category, Boko sits alongside prominent names such as US president, Donald Trump, British prime minister, Keir Starmer, Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, World Health Organisation director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and 17 others who include tech billionaire, Elon Musk.
Writing on Boko’s inclusion in the list, Time researchers poured accolades on the president, but also warned of the challenges he faces.
“Few predicted the seismic election upset that made Duma Boko President of Botswana. Last October, the 55-year-old Harvard-trained lawyer ousted the party that had ruled the nation of 2.5 million people since its independence from Britain nearly 60 years ago. “Despite his impressive victory at the polls, Boko has no easy way to reverse the decline and fulfil his campaign promises, which include doubling the minimum wage, expanding social benefits for new mothers and seniors, and creating thousands of new jobs.”
Boko is the first Motswana to appear on the Time’s 100 Most Influential People List. His Minerals and Energy Minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, was named on Time’s 100 Next List in 2022. The 100 Next List recognises 100 rising stars from across industries and around the world.
