At a Glance
- Neurosurgery in Africa is rapidly advancing through global research and cutting-edge surgical innovation.
- Trailblazing surgeons are breaking barriers, driving gender diversity, and shaping neuro-care leadership.
- Top specialists pioneer advanced brain and spine treatments while mentoring future medical leaders.
Africa’s neurosurgery landscape is undergoing a historic transformation, led by a new generation of trailblazing surgeons reshaping brain and spine care across the continent.
From pioneering female neurosurgeons breaking barriers in Rwanda and Nigeria to globally recognized professors advancing research and surgical innovation in Morocco and South Africa, these specialists are driving progress in a field once dominated by severe shortages and limited resources.
Their work spans cutting-edge brain tumor treatments, spinal surgery, and neurotrauma care, while mentoring the next wave of African medical leaders.
Here’s a look at the Top 10 neurosurgeons in Africa shaping the future of brain and spine surgery.
Prof. Abdessamad El Ouahabi (Morocco)
Chairman of the Neurosurgical Department at Hôpital des Spécialités in Rabat, Prof. Abdessamad El Ouahabi stands out as a leading voice in African neurosurgery.
He directs the WFNS Rabat Reference Center and oversees advanced residency training programs that have shaped the careers of countless African neurosurgeons.
With over 80 scientific publications, his impact on neurosurgical research is widely recognized.
Prof. B. B. Shehu (Nigeria)
Prof. Bello Shehu, a distinguished neurosurgeon and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Birnin Kebbi, has a legacy of developing neurosurgical education in northern Nigeria.
Trained in the UK and Ireland, he returned home to bridge the talent gap in neurosurgery. Today, he’s credited for advancing clinical practice and mentoring new surgeons in a region once underserved.
Dr. Nqobile Thango (South Africa)
As a pediatric neurosurgeon and lecturer at the University of Cape Town, Dr. Thango leads research at the UCT Neuroscience Institute.
Her focus on brain injury, neurotrauma, and pharmacokinetics positions her as one of Africa’s brightest neurosurgical researchers.
She chairs the Young African Neurosurgeons Forum and serves on the WFNS Global Neurosurgery Committee, shaping policy and training across the continent.
Dr. Claire Karekezi (Rwanda)
Dr. Karekezi, Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon, serves at Rwanda Military Hospital and lectures at the University of Rwanda. Her clinical expertise spans neurotrauma, brain tumors, and skull base surgery.
Passionate about education, she advocates for technology-driven neurosurgical advancements in sub-Saharan Africa and contributes to global research on brain tumor management.
Dr. Abraham Tadele (Ethiopia)
Recognized nationally as one of Ethiopia’s best neurosurgeons, with over 2,000 procedures and leadership roles at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Millennium Medical College. An academic and clinician trusted by residents and peers.
Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu (Nigeria)
West Africa’s first indigenous-trained female neurosurgeon, Dr. Aliu practices at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Beyond surgery, she’s an influential voice promoting women in neurosurgery and has contributed significantly to medical literature, including widely cited studies on pediatric neurosurgical care.
Prof. Olawale Sulaiman (Nigeria/USA)
Internationally trained and globally recognized, Prof. Sulaiman specializes in complex nerve reconstruction and spinal surgery.
He’s board-certified in Canada and has completed elite fellowships in the U.S.
Alongside his clinical work, he runs philanthropic initiatives to improve neurosurgical care access in Nigeria while authoring numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Ncumisa Jilata (South Africa)
In 2017, Dr. Jilata became Africa’s youngest neurosurgeon at just 29. Trained at the University of Pretoria, she now leads advanced neurosurgical procedures in Johannesburg and advocates for minimally invasive techniques.
Her rapid rise underscores the growing influence of young African women in medicine.
Dr. Beverley Cheserem (Kenya)
Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Dr. Cheserem combines clinical expertise with global health advocacy.
Educated in the UK, she plays a key role in neurosurgical education through leadership roles in international organizations, advancing gender equality and research in global neurosurgery.
Dr. Florentius Koech (Kenya)
Founder and CEO of TopHill Brain and Spine Hospital, Dr. Koech brings over two decades of experience to Kenya’s neurosurgical sector. His work in pioneering modern neurosurgical units and spinal surgery innovation has made him one of East Africa’s most respected brain and spine specialists.
