How Many Countries Are in Africa?
Africa has 54 recognized sovereign countries — more than any other continent. It is also the world's second largest continent by both land area and population, home to over 1.4 billion people. Africa's 54 nations are extraordinarily diverse in size, population, language, and culture: from giant Nigeria with over 220 million people to tiny Seychelles with fewer than 100,000. The most recent African country to gain independence was South Sudan in 2011. The African Union, the continent's main political body, recognizes all 54 states plus the disputed Western Sahara as members.
Countries
59
Population
1.5B
% of total
23.6%
continents
1
Complete list
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in Africa?
Africa has 54 recognized sovereign countries, making it the continent with the most nations in the world.
What is the largest country in Africa?
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area at 2.38 million km². Nigeria is the most populous with over 220 million people.
Which African countries are the richest?
By GDP, the largest African economies are Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Algeria. By GDP per capita, the richest are Seychelles, Mauritius, and the island nations.