11 Longest Serving Presidents Worldwide 2025

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Some leaders in the dynamic realm of world politics defy the typical rise and fall of political power but despite political turmoil, domestic crises, and external challenges, these presidents and leaders of state have maintained their positions for decades. Few presidents have demonstrated political longevity like them, from their importance in shaping national policy to their capacity to hold onto power through authoritarian means. Some of the longest-serving presidents in history are still in office as of 2025, yet their impact has not faded with time not also forgetting that their reigns have brought about major changes in the nations they rule, and their leadership being frequently disputable whereby these leaders reflect a period of political tenacity that defies the traditional political cycle.

The 11 longest-serving presidents in the world in 2025 will be discussed in this blog post article, along with their years in office, leadership philosophies, and lasting legacies since these people have had a lasting impact on the political landscapes of their nations, regardless of whether their rule was marked by political reforms, authoritarian control, or a combination of the two.

1. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶)

   • Years in Power: Over 42 years

     One of the world's longest-serving heads of state is Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been president of Equatorial Guinea since 1979. Obiang has been in power ever since his uncle, the previous president, was overthrown in a coup. Obiang, who is well-known for his authoritarian governance, has used networks of patronage and political repression to keep a tight hold on the nation. Human rights abuses under his rule, including the repression of opposition organisations, media control, and the absence of democratic reforms, have drawn harsh criticism with Obiang maintaining his hold on power for more than 42 years in spite of worldwide condemnation primarily because of his command of the armed forces and the nation's oil reserves. Oil and gas exports have contributed to Equatorial Guinea's significant economic growth under his rule, but the majority of the population now lives in poverty as a result of the wealth being concentrated in a small number of hands.

2. Paul Biya (Cameroon 🇨🇲)

   • Years in Power: Over 42 years

     Paul Biya of Cameroon is another African leader whose political longevity has defied the odds where he has been president since 1982 and has been in office for more than 42 years, making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. In addition to his reputation for political stability, his administration has been accused of authoritarianism, corruption, violations of human rights, and repression of opposition groups on top of Cameroon having many hardships under Biya's leadership, such as continuing conflict in the Anglophone areas, civil instability, and economic difficulties but in spite of this, he has maintained his hold on power by combining electoral manipulation, military control, and political scheming. Paul Biya's tenure in government is evidence of his capacity to hold onto power in the face of growing criticism and calls for democratic reform on a global scale.

3. Yoweri Museveni (Uganda 🇺🇬)

   • Years in Power: Over 38 years

     Since leading a victorious uprising that overthrew the previous government in 1986, Yoweri Museveni has been the leader of Uganda and being one of the longest-serving African leaders, he has been in power for more than 38 years and is well-known for his military experience and his contribution to bringing an end to Uganda's continuous political unrest. Economic expansion, infrastructure improvement, and a decline in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the nation have all been hallmarks of Museveni's presidency but his rule has also come under fire for authoritarian policies, including suppressing opposition parties, limiting press freedom, and rigging elections but Museveni remains in power in spite of these problems, primarily due to his command of the armed forces and his favour with some sections of the general public.

4. Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea 🇪🇷)

   • Years in Power: Over 30 years

     Isaias Afwerki was Eritrea's first president when the country separated from Ethiopia in 1993. One-party dictatorship, a shortage of political liberties, and stringent regulation of the media and civil society have all been hallmarks of his reign with also due in large part to his unquestioned authority within the nation, Isaias Afwerki has maintained his position of power for more than 30 years in spite of international pressure and sanctions. The economy of Eritrea is still in its infancy, and severe poverty and violations of human rights are frequent grievances. Even so, Afwerki has received recognition for his attempts to unite the country and guide Eritrea through a number of wars but his autocratic management style and his resistance to democratic reforms have been widely criticised.

5. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (Belarus 🇧🇾)

   • Years in Power: Over 30 years

     Alexander Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since 1994 and is frequently referred to as Europe's last dictator whereby his autocratic rule, repression of opposition, and firm hold on the nation's political, economic, and media spheres are hallmarks of his leadership. Through challenging elections, numerous crackdowns on demonstrators, and the incarceration of political opponents, Alexander Lukashenko has managed to hold onto power maintaining his hold on power for more than 30 years in spite of mounting international isolation and internal turmoil not forgetting his involvement in the contentious 2020 presidential election, which sparked large-scale demonstrations, has heightened calls for his resignation making him one of the most persistent authoritarian dictators in contemporary Europe, nonetheless, since he continues to ignore calls for him to surrender power.

6. Emomali Rahmon (Tajikistan 🇹🇯)

   • Years in Power: Over 30 years

     Since 1992, when Tajikistan won independence after the Soviet Union broke up, Emomali Rahmon has served as the nation's president where tight control over political opposition, severe repression of dissent, and a meticulously fostered cult of personality spanning decades all being hallmarks of his leadership. Tajikistan has seen times of political stability and economic expansion under Rahmon's direction, especially in the years following the civil war but his administration has also been charged with human rights abuses, favouritism, and corruption with Rahmon maintaining his hold on power for more than 30 years in spite of these problems thanks to his command of the armed forces and his ability to distribute authority among the many Tajik social groups.

7. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Djibouti 🇩🇯)

   • Years in Power: Over 25 years

     In 1999, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh took over as president of Djibouti, replacing his uncle, who had been in power for more than 20 years. Guelleh, who is well-known for his autocratic management style, has expanded his power by suppressing political rivals and manipulating elections. Due to its strategic location in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is a small nation that has maintained strong links with Western nations, especially the United States and France, as a military and commercial hub with also economic expansion driven by foreign investment and a robust military presence being hallmarks of Guelleh's presidency but his government has come under fire for violations of human rights, limitations on free speech, and a lack of political diversity.

8. Paul Kagame (Rwanda 🇷🇼)

   • Years in Power: Over 24 years

     After guiding Rwanda through the 1994 genocide and ensuing reconstruction, Paul Kagame has served as president since 2000 where infrastructure development, economic expansion, and a resolute drive for national healing and unity have all been hallmarks of his leadership. Rwanda has made remarkable strides in areas like technology, education, and health under Kagame's leadership but Kagame's administration has also come under fire for suppressing opposing views, restricting media freedom, and holding onto power tightly. His contentious third term, which was obtained through constitutional amendments, has sparked debate about his actual style of leadership and after more than 24 years in office, Paul Kagame is still regarded as one of Africa's most strong presidents in spite of these reservations.

9. Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev (Azerbaijan 🇦🇿)

   • Years in Power: Over 21 years

     Since 2003, Ilham Aliyev has served as president of Azerbaijan, taking over from his father, Heydar Aliyev, who had been in power for more than ten years. Azerbaijan's enormous oil and gas reserves have propelled the country's economic expansion under Ilham Aliyev's leadership with the Aliyev family being charged with authoritarian actions, such as suppressing opposition parties, rigging elections, and restricting political liberties. Aliyev's dominance over Azerbaijan's oil resources and his capacity for power consolidation support his reign in spite of these accusations where under his direction, the nation has become a major force in the Caucasus.

10. Mahmoud Abbas (Palestine 🇵🇸)

    • Years in Power: Over 19 years

      Since 2005, Mahmoud Abbas has served as the Palestinian Authority's president where his engagement in Palestinian politics and his attempts to negotiate peace with Israel have been hallmarks of his leadership but the absence of democratic elections and Abbas's firm hold on power in the West Bank have drawn criticism to his administration with Mahmoud Abbas continuing to play a significant role in Palestinian politics and the larger Middle East peace process in spite of these obstacles.

11. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé (Togo 🇹🇬)

    • Years in Power: Over 19 years

      Following the passing of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who had held the office for almost 38 years, Faure Gnassingbé became president of Togo in 2005 with allegations of political persecution, electoral fraud, and a dearth of democratic changes being made against Faure's administration with also maintaining power for more than 19 years in spite of these obstacles, mostly thanks to his command of the armed forces and political establishment.

Summary

In addition to being leaders, these presidents with the longest terms in the world in 2025 are also representations of political tenacity and power having influenced their nations' histories by living remarkably long lives where both achievements and controversies have characterised their terms in office, leaving behind complicated legacies that will be discussed for years to come not forgetting that their ongoing control highlights the power dynamics that determine political longevity in the contemporary world, regardless of whether they are viewed as authoritarian rulers or stability anchors.