Official suits remain popular among prominent personalities across the world, including African presidents and business leaders. Attendees of high-level functions prefer these outfits to enhance their personal identity.
However, nonofficial outfits like cultural and traditional attires also have their special place with a clique of leaders embracing this kind of dress code.
Whether at the United Nations General Assembly in New York or at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, there is a growing departure from the traditional official suits.
In some cases, African presidents and heads of government show up at official events in military outfits, with special headgears and hats and in their national dresses.
Here are some of the African presidents who have captured public attention with their unique way of dressing.
Ruto among African Presidents with sense of fashion
Kenyan President William Ruto slowly changed his dress code, moving away from sharp official suits and casual wear to Kaunda suits of all colour shades on earth.
The Kaunda suits feature a single-breasted design, three buttons, narrow lapels, short sleeves, and patch pockets on the front of a safari jacket, paired with matching pants.
In addition, the suit is said to have originated in Australia in the 1970s but was made more popular in the continent by the first President of Zambia, the late Kenneth Kaunda.
Also Read: Meet the Talented Designer Doing Ruto’s Kaunda Suits
President Ibrahim Traore
Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore is known for his military wear.
Traore is a former military man. During his swearing in as President, he had dressed in military fatigues and a scarf with the country’s national colors, said: “We are confronted with a security and humanitarian crisis without precedent.
Traoré joined the army of Burkina Faso in 2009, where he draws his dressing inspiration, which gives him a peculiar look.
Bola Tinubu of Nigeria
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is known for his Nigerian traditional wear.
While his clothes signify royalty in the in the Nigerian culture, he wears a cap that attracted, thousands of APC members, friends, and fans of Asiwaju Bola Tubu.
President Salva Kiir
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit is rarely seen without his distinctive Texas cowboy hat.
His attachment to the headgear may have been kindled when Texan George W. Bush presented Kiir with a similar hat in 2006.
Also Read: 35-Year-Old President Who Called African Leaders ‘Beggars’
Eswatini King Mswati
Swaziland President Mswati the 3rd is the Ngwenyama or king of Swaziland.
He is known for carefully considering his outfits and sense of fashion while appearing in public.
Again, he is often fully kitted in traditional Swazi attire for country functions but also looks good in a suit when he travels abroad.
Furthermore, he leads a lavish lifestyle, questionable policies, and about 15 wives.
