Several African countries have had long-serving presidents, with some leaders staying in power for decades. Here’s a list of African countries with the longest-serving presidents as of 2024:

1. Equatorial Guinea: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

• In office since: August 3, 1979
• Years in power: 45+ years Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is the world’s longest-serving president. He took power in a coup and has maintained control through a combination of political repression and constitutional changes.

2. Cameroon: Paul Biya

• In office since: November 6, 1982
• Years in power: 42+ years Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades. His tenure has been marked by multiple constitutional amendments that have allowed him to extend his rule.

3. Uganda: Yoweri Museveni

• In office since: January 29, 1986
• Years in power: 38+ years Yoweri Museveni came to power after leading a rebellion against the previous government. He has since amended the constitution to remove term limits and age restrictions, allowing him to extend his presidency.

4. Republic of the Congo: Denis Sassou Nguesso

• In office since: 1979–1992, 1997 to present
• Years in power: Over 38 years in total (with a five-year gap) Denis Sassou Nguesso first ruled from 1979 to 1992 and then returned to power in 1997 after a civil war. He has remained in power since, accumulating over three decades as the country’s leader.

5. Eritrea: Isaias Afwerki

• In office since: May 24, 1993 (independence)
• Years in power: 31+ years Isaias Afwerki has been the only president of Eritrea since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. His presidency has been marked by strict authoritarian control and the lack of any democratic elections.

6. Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby (Son of Idriss Déby)

• Father (Idriss Déby) in office since: December 2, 1990 – April 2021
• Years in power (family): 31+ years After Idriss Déby’s death in 2021, his son Mahamat Idriss Déby took control in a transitional capacity, extending the Déby family's political dominance in Chad.

These leaders have maintained long tenures through constitutional changes, political repression, and military backing, often making it difficult for opposition forces to bring about democratic transitions.