African Countries Overview
Population Growth in Africa
Africa is bursting at the seams with a growing population, outpacing all other continents. Sitting at a speedy 2.35% annual growth rate, as of 2021, this swell is driven by big families and longer lives. The bounce in numbers shakes up Africa’s demographics, making for an ever-changing crowd.
| Year | Population (in billions) | Annual Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.37 | 2.35 |
| 2022 | 1.40 | 2.35 |
| 2023 | 1.44 | 2.35 |
| 2024 | 1.47 | 2.35 |
Sources: Wikipedia
Age Demographics in Africa
Think of Africa as the world’s nursery; it’s the place with the youngest folks around! A jaw-dropping 60% of people are younger than 25. This fresh-faced crowd is a mixed bag—loaded with promise but needing serious boosts in schooling, healthcare, and work to really spin up the engines of innovation and economic power.
| Age Group | Percentage of Total Population |
|---|---|
| Under 15 years | 41% |
| 15-24 years | 19% |
| 25-54 years | 33% |
| 55-64 years | 4% |
| 65 years and over | 3% |
Sources: Wikipedia
Check out more about age splits across the globe with our lists of European countries, Asian countries, and Caribbean countries.
Geographic Features and Characteristics
Africa’s massive land mass hosts not just a rainbow of cultures but also nations of all shapes and sizes. In this section, let’s chat about Africa’s broad range of country sizes and those countries without beach front property (landlocked ones).
Size of African Countries
Africa is a smorgasbord of countries differing wildly in size, from gigantic landscapes to tiny specks of islands. Here are some size champs and lightweights in Africa:
| Country | Size in Square Miles | Size in Square Kilometers |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 919,590 | 2,381,741 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 905,567 | 2,344,858 |
| Sudan | 718,723 | 1,861,484 |
| Libya | 679,362 | 1,759,541 |
| Chad | 495,755 | 1,284,000 |
| The Gambia (smallest on mainland) | 4,363 | 11,295 |
| Seychelles (smallest overall) | 172 | 445 |
Algeria is your go-to if you want lots of space to roam, as it’s the continent’s biggest player in land area. At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find the Seychelles, barely visible on the world map due to its tiny size.
Peeking into other countries’ areas? We’ve got a handy list of countries by area just waiting for you.
Landlocked Countries in Africa
A landlocked country doesn’t get to host beach parties since it lacks coastline. Out of Africa’s 55 countries, 16 are landlocked. That’s almost like walking through one-third of the continent without needing a beach towel.
Here’s a roll call for these landlocked spots:
| Country |
|---|
| Botswana |
| Burkina Faso |
| Burundi |
| Central African Republic |
| Chad |
| Ethiopia |
| Lesotho |
| Malawi |
| Mali |
| Niger |
| Rwanda |
| South Sudan |
| Swaziland, also called Eswatini |
| Uganda |
| Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
No coast? No problem! But it does make trading and getting around a bit more challenging for these nations.
Curious about more geographic tidbits, including countries that you can’t mail a postcard to? Take a peek at our list of countries by area and list of slavic countries.
By getting a grip on the sizes and the “beachfront-not-included” status of these African nations, you’ll dive deeper into what makes this continent as diverse as your grandma’s quilt collection.
Independence Timeline
This section dives into one of Africa’s most pivotal chapters—shedding the colonial yoke and taking charge. We journey through early milestones, the great ’60s liberation surge, and the spirited declarations near the century’s end.
Early Independence Achievements
The tidings of freedom started ringing in the first half of the 20th century for a handful of pioneers. Leading the charge, Libya snagged independence from Italy on December 24, 1951. Soon enough, Sudan waved goodbye to the United Kingdom and Egypt on New Year’s Day, 1956.
| Country | Colonial Power | Independence Date |
|---|---|---|
| Libya | Italy | December 24, 1951 |
| Sudan | United Kingdom/Egypt | January 1, 1956 |
Independence in the 1960s
Ah, the ’60s! The wind of change was blowing fiercely, setting free nation after nation from colonial grips. Nigeria, once under British reign, reclaimed its freedom on October 1, 1960. Soon, Somalia broke loose on July 1 of the same year. And it wasn’t stopping there.
Algeria, wrestling against over a century of French rule, proclaimed its freedom on July 5, 1962. Rwanda and Burundi, buddies under Belgian control, both declared independence on July 1, 1962. And let’s not forget Ghana, setting the stage with its early march into self-rule back in 1957.
| Country | Colonial Power | Independence Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | United Kingdom | October 1, 1960 |
| Somalia | Italy (Somaliland) and United Kingdom (British Somaliland) | July 1, 1960 |
| Ghana | United Kingdom | March 6, 1957 |
| Algeria | France | July 5, 1962 |
| Rwanda | Belgium | July 1, 1962 |
| Burundi | Belgium | July 1, 1962 |
Late 20th Century Independence
Closing out the 20th century, the struggle for self-rule marched on, especially southward and eastward. Namibia, after long battles, shrugged off South Africa’s grip on March 21, 1990. Next up? Eritrea’s hard-won freedom from Ethiopia came on May 24, 1993.
| Country | Colonial Power | Independence Date |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | South Africa | March 21, 1990 |
| Eritrea | Ethiopia | May 24, 1993 |
The road to sovereignty was fraught with challenges but illuminated by unique stories that still echo today. Dig deeper into global stories of independence with our pieces on the list of european countries, list of asian countries, and list of caribbean countries.
African Countries Facts
Getting your head around African nations might seem like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube with your eyes closed, but we’re here to help. This part lays out the basics: how many countries are there, plus the biggest and smallest ones in terms of size and population. Let’s dig in.
Number of Countries in Africa
Africa has 54 countries, each with its own funky mix of customs, landscapes, and pasts. If you’re itching to check out the full lineup, sites like MoAfrika Tours spill the beans on all of them.
Smallest and Largest Countries
From countries so big they double as workout routines to tiny gems, Africa has it all.
- Largest Country: Holding the heavyweight title is Algeria, clocking in at a whopping 919,590 square miles (2,381,741 square kilometers). (Britannica)
- Smallest Country: Swinging to the other end, Seychelles, a cozy island getaway, covers just 172 square miles (446 square kilometers). (Britannica)
| Country | Area sq mi | Area sq km |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 919,590 | 2,381,741 |
| Seychelles | 172 | 446 |
Want the full scoop on country sizes? Check out our list of countries by area.
Population Statistics
The number of folks calling Africa home is just as mixed as its cultures.
- Most Populated Country: Nigeria takes the cake with a massive crowd.
- Least Populated Country: Seychelles keeps it quaint with the least noses to count.
| Country | Population |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | 206 million |
| Ethiopia | 114 million |
| Egypt | 104 million |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 89 million |
| Seychelles | 98,462 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 215,056 |
| Cape Verde | 556,000 |
Hat tip to MoAfrika Tours for the digits!
Hungry for population deets? Dive into our list of population density.
Population Statistics
Right at the top, we’ve got Nigeria, then Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all packing plenty of people. Meanwhile, Seychelles, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde, Comoros, and Djibouti keep things more intimate. (MoAfrika Tours)
Getting familiar with these numbers isn’t just for trivia night—it’s key for understanding Africa’s wild mash-up of economies, societies, and geographies. So, if you’re curious about the list of African countries, these stats will help you make sense of the vibrant scene.
Recognized and Unrecognized Countries
In Africa, political and recognition issues create unique situations for certain regions. Let’s take a closer look at Somaliland and South Sudan.
Somaliland Status
Back in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland decided it was time for a clean break from Somalia, announcing its intent to fly solo. Even with a self-declared, democratically-elected government, it hasn’t caught a break internationally. Nobody – as in no country or organization – acknowledges it as its own player on the world stage. No ticket to the diplomatic and economic big leagues for Somaliland—it’s just not happening, currently. Regional disagreements and diplomatic red tape keep it stuck in this unrecognized limbo.
| Status | Detail |
|---|---|
| Declared Independence | 1991 |
| Recognized By | None |
| Government | Self-declared, democratically-elected |
South Sudan’s Independence Challenges
Fast forward to July 9, 2011, and South Sudan was stepping out from under Sudan’s wing, all brand new and shiny. But, as it turns out, being a fresh-faced nation isn’t a walk in the park. It’s grappling with ethnic conflicts, disputes with the northern neighbor it bid adieu to, a turbulent civil war, and serious money woes. As if that wasn’t enough, they decided to give the party poopers the upper hand and skipped out on their independence day bash, choosing to focus on more pressing, serious matters.
| Year of Independence | 2011 |
| Major Challenges | Ethnic clashes, conflicts with Sudan, civil war, economic crises |
| Independence Day Celebration | Not officially celebrated |
The tricky political mix-ups in these areas are a glimpse into Africa’s vast political puzzle. For stories from other parts of the globe, don’t hesitate to check out our deep dives into the list of european countries, list of asian countries, and list of south american countries.
Independence Day Celebrations
Celebrating independence is a big part of the story for many African nations, soaking up traditions and national pride that keep culture alive. Here’s a peek at how some countries like Eritrea, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola roll out the festivities.
Eritrea Independence Celebration
Eritrea officially broke free on May 24, 1993, after a nod from a public vote. Fast forward to its 25th birthday bash, and it was something to remember. Eritrea’s own Olympic hero, Zersenay Tadese, started things off by firing up a flame much like you’d see at the Olympics. It was a wild show of national spirit and togetherness.
Namibia Independence Festivities
Namibia ditched South Africa’s control on March 21, 1990. It’s one heck of a party there, with skydivers, military parades, and some tunes to get everyone moving. President Hage Geingob wasn’t shy about using the platform to chat about shaking up government practices to get rid of corruption and keep things honest and open.
Zimbabwe’s Independence Anniversary
Zimbabwe cut ties with the UK on April 18, 1980. The celebrations stand out with unique events, like when President Robert Mugabe lit up a huge golden flame known as the Independence Flame. Latest parties didn’t just cheer the past but encouraged people to pitch in to the country’s progress moving forward.
Angola’s Independence Commemoration
Angola waved goodbye to Portugal on November 11, 1975. When the 40th birthday rolled around, it was unforgettable, complete with a civil and military parade through Independence Square. Folks were treated to a dazzling sight with flaming lanterns and fireworks lighting up Baía de Luanda’s skies.
To catch more on how countries paint their Independence Day with color, explore our list of European countries or the list of Asian countries.