Africa
- Ashanti Confederacy - Kwaku Dua I Panyin, Asantehene (1834–1867)
- Buganda - Mutesa I, King of Buganda (1856–1884)
- Bunyoro - Kyebambe IV, Omukama of Bunyoro (1852–1869)
- Burundi - Mwezi IV Gisabo, King of Burundi (1852–1908)
- Dahomey - Glele, King of Dahomey (1856–1889)
- Ethiopia - Tewodros II, Emperor of Ethiopia (1855–1868)
- Jimma - Abba Rebu, King (1855–1859)
- Liberia - Stephen Allen Benson, President of Liberia (1856–1864)
- Rwanda - Kigeli IV, King of Rwanda (1853–1895)
- Sokoto Caliphate
- Caliph - Ali bin Bello I, Sokoto Caliph (1842–1859)
- Grand Vizier - Abd al-Qadir, Sokoto Grand Vizier (1842–1859)
- Wituland - Ahmad ibn Fumo Bakari, Sultan (1858-1888)
- Zanzibar - Sayyid Majid bin Said Al-Busaid, Sultan of Zanzibar (1856–1870)
- Zulu - Mpande kaSenzangakhona, King of the Zulu (1840–1872)
Read more about this topic: List Of State Leaders In 1858