There are 54 countries in Africa today, according to the United Nations. That’s 54 different cultures, languages, peoples, heritage, history, etc.
Treating all African countries as the same is unhelpful because it fails to acknowledge the vast cultural, political, and economic differences that exist between them. Africa is a continent with a diverse range of nations, each with its own unique history, traditions, and current circumstances.
By lumping all African countries together, important differences are ignored, and generalisations are made that are not reflective of the reality on the ground. This can lead to a range of problems, such as incorrect assumptions about the state of development or the nature of conflicts, and the failure to address specific needs and challenges facing each country.
Moreover, treating all African countries as the same can also reinforce harmful stereotypes and contribute to a lack of understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the continent. It can also perpetuate the notion that Africa is a homogenous entity, ignoring the rich cultural and linguistic differences that exist within its borders.
A more nuanced and informed approach is needed that recognises and appreciates the differences between African countries and the specific challenges they each face.
Countries in Africa
| # | Country | Population (2020) | Sub-region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 206,139,589 | Western Africa |
| 2 | Ethiopia | 114,963,588 | Eastern Africa |
| 3 | Egypt | 102,334,404 | Northern Africa |
| 4 | DR Congo | 89,561,403 | Middle Africa |
| 5 | Tanzania | 59,734,218 | Eastern Africa |
| 6 | South Africa | 59,308,690 | Southern Africa |
| 7 | Kenya | 53,771,296 | Eastern Africa |
| 8 | Uganda | 45,741,007 | Eastern Africa |
| 9 | Algeria | 43,851,044 | Northern Africa |
| 10 | Sudan | 43,849,260 | Northern Africa |
| 11 | Morocco | 36,910,560 | Northern Africa |
| 12 | Angola | 32,866,272 | Middle Africa |
| 13 | Mozambique | 31,255,435 | Eastern Africa |
| 14 | Ghana | 31,072,940 | Western Africa |
| 15 | Madagascar | 27,691,018 | Eastern Africa |
| 16 | Cameroon | 26,545,863 | Middle Africa |
| 17 | Côte d’Ivoire | 26,378,274 | Western Africa |
| 18 | Niger | 24,206,644 | Western Africa |
| 19 | Burkina Faso | 20,903,273 | Western Africa |
| 20 | Mali | 20,250,833 | Western Africa |
| 21 | Malawi | 19,129,952 | Eastern Africa |
| 22 | Zambia | 18,383,955 | Eastern Africa |
| 23 | Senegal | 16,743,927 | Western Africa |
| 24 | Chad | 16,425,864 | Middle Africa |
| 25 | Somalia | 15,893,222 | Eastern Africa |
| 26 | Zimbabwe | 14,862,924 | Eastern Africa |
| 27 | Guinea | 13,132,795 | Western Africa |
| 28 | Rwanda | 12,952,218 | Eastern Africa |
| 29 | Benin | 12,123,200 | Western Africa |
| 30 | Burundi | 11,890,784 | Eastern Africa |
| 31 | Tunisia | 11,818,619 | Northern Africa |
| 32 | South Sudan | 11,193,725 | Eastern Africa |
| 33 | Togo | 8,278,724 | Western Africa |
| 34 | Sierra Leone | 7,976,983 | Western Africa |
| 35 | Libya | 6,871,292 | Northern Africa |
| 36 | Congo | 5,518,087 | Middle Africa |
| 37 | Liberia | 5,057,681 | Western Africa |
| 38 | Central African Republic | 4,829,767 | Middle Africa |
| 39 | Mauritania | 4,649,658 | Western Africa |
| 40 | Eritrea | 3,546,421 | Eastern Africa |
| 41 | Namibia | 2,540,905 | Southern Africa |
| 42 | Gambia | 2,416,668 | Western Africa |
| 43 | Botswana | 2,351,627 | Southern Africa |
| 44 | Gabon | 2,225,734 | Middle Africa |
| 45 | Lesotho | 2,142,249 | Southern Africa |
| 46 | Guinea-Bissau | 1,968,001 | Western Africa |
| 47 | Equatorial Guinea | 1,402,985 | Middle Africa |
| 48 | Mauritius | 1,271,768 | Eastern Africa |
| 49 | Eswatini | 1,160,164 | Southern Africa |
| 50 | Djibouti | 988,000 | Eastern Africa |
| 51 | Comoros | 869,601 | Eastern Africa |
| 52 | Cabo Verde | 555,987 | Western Africa |
| 53 | Sao Tome & Principe | 219,159 | Middle Africa |
| 54 | Seychelles | 98,347 | Eastern Africa |
Dropped: February 12, 2023