President John Dramani Mahama has been ranked 5th on Devex’s prestigious list of the most powerful global figures in development and changemaking for 2026, a recognition that underscores his growing influence in reshaping international development discourse.
The respected international development publication, Devex, highlighted President Mahama’s leadership in advancing the “Accra Reset” agenda as a key factor in his high placement on the Power 50 list. The ranking places the Ghanaian leader among a select group of individuals driving transformative change amid major shifts in global aid, financing, and cooperation.
President Mahama, who assumed office in January 2025 for his second non-consecutive term as President, has emerged as a prominent voice advocating for a new deal for African development. He has consistently pushed back against traditional aid-dependent models, calling for reforms in debt relief, trade policies, and climate finance. Devex noted that his central argument is that Africa must renegotiate its position in the global economic order rather than merely adjusting to declining foreign aid flows.
The publication singled out the Accra Reset as a defining pillar of President Mahama’s influence. Launched in August 2025 during a high-level convening in Accra that brought together African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts, the initiative introduced a bold vision for African health sovereignty rooted in national ownership and more equitable global partnerships. The concept was later broadened beyond health to encompass broader development priorities during President Mahama’s address at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, positioning the Accra Reset as a truly global agenda.
Devex described the Accra Reset as a decisive break from “development-as-usual,” particularly in response to significant cuts in U.S. foreign aid, and a call for innovative governance, business, and financing models. President Mahama has been described as a hands-on champion of the initiative, with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo serving as a key adviser.
The top spots on the Devex Power 50 list were occupied by Benjamin Black, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, who took first place; Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank, in second; Anna Makanju, Vice President for Global Impact at OpenAI, in third; and Alexander Berger, Cofounder and CEO of Coefficient Giving, in fourth.
In its introduction to the list, Devex explained that the development sector has experienced “tectonic shifts” over the past year, with major traditional donors retrenching and new actors—including philanthropists, development finance institutions, private sector players, and emerging donors from the Persian Gulf—stepping forward. The publication also pointed to the rising role of artificial intelligence as a potential force multiplier in development, provided it is deployed responsibly.
While noting that ranking influence is inherently subjective, Devex said its selections were informed by the newsroom’s extensive engagement with the sector, serving as a guide to the individuals most actively shaping global development in 2026.
President Mahama’s previous roles—including his first presidency from 2012 to 2017, vice presidency, parliamentary service, ministerial positions, and his pioneering role as the first co-chair of the United Nations Advocacy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—further bolster his credentials as a seasoned leader in global development circles.