In this article, we list and discuss the 20 Most Populated Countries in Africa.
The global population exceeded eight billion people in November 2022. From a population of just 1.6 billion in the early 1900s, to six billion in the 2000s, this is a huge change. In only two decades, the global population saw an increase of two billion people, and many factors played a role in this growth.
One of the primary reasons, however, was the increase in the Human Development Index (HDI) that improved life expectancy. After decades of steady growth, UN experts have found that the world’s population growth is finally slowing down — it’s still increasing, but at a slower rate, due to the low fertility rate. However, while there’s a decline in growth rate globally, Africa, with a current population of 1.4 billion people, is an exception.
According to the UN report, by 2050, Africa’s population will grow rapidly, and it will see more than half of Earth’s total population growth. Also, sub-Saharan Africa, which already has the highest population share in Africa, will see its population grow to twice its size by 2050. The main reason behind this massive growth in population in the continent is that Africa’s total population has a large proportion of young people who will reach adulthood in the coming years and have children of their own.
With a large youth population, the future of Africa is poised to reach new economic highs if given equal opportunities. Fortunately, Africa’s economy is already taking off, and it is set to become (and remain) the second-fastest-growing region in the world after Asia.
According to the African Development Bank’s president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina,
“Despite the challenging global and regional economic environment, 15 African countries have posted output expansions of more than 5%.”
The high population, economic growth, and large quantity of natural resources like cobalt, diamonds, platinum, and uranium exhibit the potential of the continent. However, businesses are hesitant to invest in Africa because of several posed threats, including political instability and infrastructure barriers.
At the same time, some leading Fortune 500 companies like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Vodafone Group plc (LON:VOD) have gone against the tide, realized the potential, and invested in the region.
In 2021, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) planned to invest $1 billion in Africa over five years to boost digital transformation in the region. According to the International Finance Corporation’s report, Africa’s Internet economy can reach $180 billion by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) realized this potential and is making significant advancement plans in Africa. This January, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) opened its first-ever Google Cloud region in Africa.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) has also realized the potential of the Internet economy in Africa and decided to tap into the region with its advancement plans. Via Reuters, the company’s president discussed the plans to collaborate with a satellite provider and secure internet access for 100 million more African people by 2025. Moreover, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) also signed a ten-year partnership with Vodafone Group plc (LON:VOD) in January 2024.
Through this partnership, both companies aim to harness the power of generative AI to transform customer experience. Vodafone Group plc (LON:VOD) is going to invest $1.5 billion over the next decade and, together with Microsoft, make generative AI, digital enterprise, and cloud services accessible for more than 300 million businesses and consumers across its European and African markets.
20 Most Populated Countries in Africa
Our Methodology
For our list of 20 Most Populated Countries in Africa, we obtained total population data of all African countries from the World Bank. We shortlisted the 20 most populous ones to compile our list and arranged them in ascending order of their populations. Note that the most recent population data available for all African countries was from 2022, and that is what we’ve used as well.
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20 Most Populated Countries in Africa
20. Mali
Total Population (2022): 22,593,590
Located in West Africa, Mali is a landlocked country, lying to the south-east of Algeria. The area of the country is about 1,240,192 sq km, and 93% of the population is Muslim, while the largest ethnicity here is Bambara. Aside from being the 20th most populated in Africa, Mali is also the 61st largest country in the world by population, according to the CIA.
19. Burkina Faso
Total Population (2022): 22,673,762
Ranked 19th, Burkina Faso is also a landlocked country in West Africa, lying to the north of Ghana. There are 3 main climate zones in the country and the terrain is mostly flat plains and dissected plateaus. Moreover, the largest religion in Burkina Faso is Islam and the largest ethnic group is Mossi, which is also the official language of the country. It is the 19th largest country in Africa with a population of 22 million.
18. Niger
Total Population (2022): 26,207,977
Located southeast of Algeria, Niger, like Mali and Burkina Faso, is also a landlocked country in West Africa. Spanning over 1.267 million sq km, Niger’s geography mainly comprises deserts, with sand dunes, flat plains, and hills. The country also houses one of the world’s largest-known animal carvings in the world, and according to the CIA, it is the 56th largest country in the country with respect to population.
17. Cameroon
Total Population (2022): 27,914,536
Located in Central Africa, Cameroon is an African country, bordering Nigeria. Compared to the US states, Cameroon is slightly larger than California, and about four times the size of Pennsylvania. It has a diverse terrain, and the major aquifer of the country is the Lake Chad Basin. Population-wise, Cameroon is the 51st largest country in the world, and the 17th largest in Africa, with an average population of 27 million.
16. Cote d’Ivoire
Total Population (2022): 28,160,542
Another West African country on the list, Cote d’Ivoire lies close to the North Atlantic Ocean. The climate of the country is mostly tropical along the coast, and semi-arid in the north. The nationality of the people here is Ivorian and according to the CIA’s population comparisons, it is the 52nd most populated country in the world alongside being the 16th most populous country in Africa.
15. Madagascar
Total Population (2022): 29,611,714
An island country, Madagascar is situated off the southeastern coast of Africa. The country has no land boundary as it is an island, and the coastline spans across about 4828 km. The official language of Madagascar is Malagasy, and it is the 53rd most populous country in the world.
14. Mozambique
Total Population (2022): 32,969,518
14th on the list of most populous countries in Africa, Mozambique is a Southeastern African country. Compared to the states in the US, Mozambique is slightly less than twice the size of California and a little over five times the size of Georgia. The coastline of the country is 2470 km and the total area of the country is 799,380 sq km. CIA ranks the country as the 45th largest in the world by population, with a population of almost 33 million people.
13. Ghana
Total Population (2022): 33,475,870
Ghana is a West African country, bordering the Gulf Of Guinea. The country is filled with low-lying plains and dissected plateaus and is best known for its colonial history and natural wealth. The climate in the country is mostly temperate, and cool in the monsoon season. In comparison with other countries, Ghana is the 44th largest country in the world by population, and the thirteenth largest in Africa.
12. Angola
Total Population (2022): 35,588,987
Located in Southern Africa, between Namibia and DR Congo, Angola borders the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a large country with a total land area of 1,246,700 sq km. If we look at the ethnic diversity in the country, Angola is home to six major ethnic groups, with the largest one being Ovimbundu. With a population of 35 million, it is the 41st most populous country in the world.
11. Morocco
Total Population (2022): 37,457,971
Morocco is a north-African country, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Having such a long share with two big oceans, the coastline of the country stretches about 2945 km. It is the 40th largest country in the world by population, and the 11th largest in Africa.
10. Algeria
Total Population (2022): 44,903,225
Located in Northern Africa, Algeria borders the Mediterranean Sea. With a land area of x, Algeria is slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas. The climate in the country varies from arid to semiarid, and the official language of the country is Arabic — the largest ethnicity is Arab–Amazigh. With a population of 44 million, it is the 34th largest country in the world by population and the 10 most populous in Africa.
9. Sudan
Total Population (2022): 46,874,204
Ranked 9th, Sudan is a country in north-eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, Egypt, Chad, and Eritrea. By land area, it is the 17th largest country in the world, spanning across 1,861,484 sq km. The terrain is mostly flat, with deserts dominating its north. Plus, it has a hot and dry climate. Compared to the rest of the world, Sudan is the 30th most populated country.
8. Uganda
Total Population (2022): 47,249,585
Uganda is a landlocked country in East and Central Africa, and it borders DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan. With a total land area of 241,038 sq km, Uganda is slightly smaller than the US state of Oregon. The terrain here is mostly plateau with some mountain rims, and the climate is tropical. Although the country is landlocked, it is fertile and well-watered with many lakes and rivers. By population, it is the 31st largest country in the world.
7. Kenya
Total Population (2022): 54,027,487
Located in East Africa, Kenya borders the Indian Ocean and lies between Somalia and Tanzania. It has a fast-growing economy and a population of over 54 million. According to the CIA’s data, Kenya’s real GDP (PPP) in 2021 was estimated to be $251.431 billion.
6. South Africa
Total Population (2022): 59,893,885
Sixth on the list, South Africa lies at the southernmost tip of Africa and borders Botswana and Lesotho. It is the 26th largest country by land area, with a total area of 1,219,090 sq km. By population, it is the 25th largest country in the world.
5. Tanzania
Total Population (2022): 65,497,748
Located in the eastern parts of Africa, Tanzania borders Kenya and Mozambique. The country is famous for having the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro. It is also famous for having many natural resources, including huge reserves of gemstones, gold, and various minerals. The climate of the country is mostly temperate. By population, it is the 23rd largest country in the world, housing more than 65 million.