Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million km² of land and is home to nearly 1.4 billion people. Africa is known for having the youngest population of any continent, with a median age of just under 20 years. By the year 2100, Africa's population is expected to grow to over 3.8 billion people.

The continent stretches across the equator and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It includes 54 fully recognised sovereign states, such as Algeria, the largest country by area, and Nigeria, the largest by population. Africa is also home to many natural wonders and wildlife.

Africa has a rich and varied history. It is widely accepted to be the birthplace of humans and many early human ancestors. Over the centuries, powerful empires like Mali, Songhai, and Benin developed across the land. Though many parts of Africa were colonised by European nations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the continent began to gain independence after World War II. Today, African nations work together through the African Union to support one another and address shared challenges.

Etymology

The name "Africa" comes from ancient times. The word Afri was a Latin term used for people living west of the Nile River in what is now northern Africa. Some believe it came from a Berber word ifri meaning "cave," referring to cave dwellers.

Over time, the name "Africa" grew as people learned more about the continent. Different cultures had their own ideas about where the name came from, linking it to words meaning "dust," "sunny," or even "birthplace." Today, terms like "North Africa" and "Sub-Saharan Africa" are sometimes discussed because of their historical ties to colonialist discourse.

History

Main article: History of Africa

See also: History of North Africa, History of West Africa, History of Central Africa, History of East Africa, History of Southern Africa, and List of kingdoms in Africa throughout history

History in Africa

African historical consciousness viewed change and continuity through the framework of people, their environment, gods, and ancestors. In African societies, history was often a communal experience, passed down through eyewitness accounts, hearsay, and oral traditions performed and shared across generations. Time in these traditions could sometimes feel mythical, with ancestors seen as historical figures.

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric Africa

See also: Recent African origin of modern humans, African humid period, and Sahara pump theory

Africa is considered the oldest inhabited territory on Earth, where the Human species originated. During the mid-20th century, anthropologists found fossils and evidence of human occupation perhaps as early as seven million years ago. Fossil remains of early apelike humans, such as Australopithecus afarensis, Paranthropus boisei, and Homo ergaster, have been discovered.

After the evolution of Homo sapiens around 350,000 to 260,000 years ago in Africa, the continent was populated by groups of hunter-gatherers. These first modern humans left Africa and populated the rest of the globe during the Out of Africa II migration around 50,000 years ago, exiting through the Bab-el-Mandeb, Strait of Gibraltar, or Isthmus of Suez.

4th millennium BC – 6th century AD

See also: Ancient Africa and History of Africa § 4th millennium BC – 6th century AD

Northeast Africa

From 3500 BC, nomes ruled by nomarchs coalesced to form the kingdoms of Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt in northeast Africa. Around 3100 BC, Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt to unify under the 1st dynasty. The Old Kingdom of Egypt formed in 2686 BC. The Kingdom of Kerma emerged in Nubia around this time. The New Kingdom of Egypt conquered the Levant and Nubia, reaching its golden age before collapsing in 1069 BC.

Horn of Africa

In the Horn of Africa, the Land of Punt was a kingdom on the Red Sea, a close trading partner of Ancient Egypt. The kingdom of dʿmt rose around 980 BC in the Eritrean-Ethiopian Highlands. In the 1st century AD, the Kingdom of Aksum rose to rule much of the northern Ethiopian-Eritrean Highlands and the Red Sea port of Adulis. Aksum converted to Christianity in the 4th century.

Northwest Africa

Northwest Africa, the Maghreb, was inhabited by Berber semi-nomadic pastoralists. Phoenician migration and settlement grew into Ancient Carthage, which built an extensive trading empire before being conquered by Rome. Numidia and Mauretania became major powers in the Maghreb.

West Africa

In the western Sahel, settled communities arose from the domestication of millet and sorghum, and cattle pastoralism began around 2500 BC. The Tichitt culture in modern-day Mauritania and Mali is the oldest known complexly organised society in West Africa.

Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

See also: Bantu expansion

In the Grasslands of northwestern Cameroon, Bantu-speaking agriculturalists began to migrate south between 5000 BC and 3000 BC. Around 1500 BC, Bantu speakers reached central Cameroon. The Western Stream followed the coast southwards, while the Eastern Stream travelled eastwards. Bantu speakers adopted iron metallurgy and coexisted with Cushitic speakers.

7th to 18th centuries

Main article: Medieval and early modern Africa

Pre-colonial Africa had up to 10,000 different states and polities, including small family groups of hunter-gatherers, larger clan groupings, heavily structured clan groups, large Sahelian kingdoms, and autonomous city-states and kingdoms such as those of the Akan, Edo, Yoruba, Igbo, and Swahili.

By the 9th century AD, dynastic states stretched across the sub-Saharan savannah. The most powerful were Ghana, Gao, and the Kanem-Bornu Empire. Ghana declined but was succeeded by the Mali Empire. Kanem accepted Islam in the eleventh century.

In West Africa, the Kingdom of Nri was established around the ninth century. The Kingdom of Ife was noted for its religious and cultural centre and bronze sculpture. The Ife model of government influenced the Oyo Empire.

The Almoravids were a Berber dynasty that spread over northwestern Africa during the eleventh century. The Banu Hilal and Banu Ma'qil were Arab Bedouin tribes who migrated westwards, resulting in the fusion of Arabs and Berbers.

Following the breakup of Mali, Sonni Ali founded the Songhai Empire, seizing Timbuktu and Jenne. His successor Askia Mohammad I made Islam the official religion.

Height of the slave trade

See also: Trans-Saharan slave trade, Atlantic slave trade, Indian Ocean slave trade, and Red Sea slave trade

Slavery had long been practiced in Africa. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, the Atlantic slave trade took an estimated 7–12 million slaves to the New World.

Colonialism

Main article: Colonial Africa

Further information: Scramble for Africa

Independence struggles

Imperial rule by Europeans continued until after World War II, when almost all remaining colonial territories gradually obtained formal independence. Libya gained independence in 1951. Tunisia and Morocco won independence from France in 1956. Ghana followed in 1957. Over the next decade, waves of decolonisation took place across the continent, culminating in the Year of Africa in 1960 and the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

Post-colonial Africa

Main article: Postcolonial Africa

See also: Decolonisation of Africa, Neocolonialism, Status of forces agreement, and Non-Aligned Movement

As of 2025, Africa contains 54 sovereign countries. Since independence, African states have frequently faced instability, corruption, violence, and authoritarianism. Most African countries have experienced several coups or periods of military dictatorship. Between 1990 and 2018, though, the continent has trended towards more democratic governance.

Upon independence, most Africans lived in extreme poverty. The continent suffered from a lack of infrastructural or industrial development under colonial rule, along with political instability. With limited financial resources or access to global markets, relatively stable countries such as Kenya still experienced only very slow economic development.

Instability after decolonisation resulted primarily from the marginalisation of ethnic groups and corruption. In pursuit of political gain, many leaders promoted ethnic conflicts. Military rule was widely accepted as a means to maintain order.

Territorial disputes and rebellions were common in independent African states. The Nigerian Civil War resulted in a famine that killed many. Two civil wars in Sudan collectively killed many. Cold War conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union contributed to instability, with both superpowers offering support to aligned leaders.

There was a major famine in Ethiopia between 1983 and 1985, killing up to 1.2 million people, primarily due to government actions and the civil war.

In 1994, a genocide in Rwanda resulted in up to 800,000 deaths, adding to a severe refugee crisis and fueling militia groups in neighboring countries. This contributed to the outbreak of the Congo Wars, the most devastating military conflicts in modern Africa.

Various conflicts between insurgent groups and governments continue. Since 2003, there has been an ongoing conflict in Darfur, Sudan. The Boko Haram Insurgency has killed around 350,000 people since 2009. Most African conflicts have been reduced to low-intensity conflicts as of 2022. However, the Tigray War from 2020 to 2022 killed an estimated 300,000–500,000 people, primarily due to famine.

Overall, violence across Africa has greatly declined in the 21st century, with the end of civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Liberia, Sudan, and Burundi. The Second Congo War ended in 2003. This decline coincided with many countries abandoning command economies and opening up for market reforms, promoting peaceful trade between neighboring countries.

Improved stability and economic reforms have led to increased foreign investment, mainly from China, spurring economic growth. Between 2000 and 2014, annual GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa averaged 5.02%, doubling its total GDP. North Africa experienced comparable growth rates. Growth slowed after 2014 due to falling commodity prices, lack of industrialisation, and epidemics of Ebola and COVID-19.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth. It is separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea and is connected to Asia by the Isthmus of Suez, where the Suez Canal is located. The continent has a long coastline and includes many different landscapes.

Africa's climate varies widely, from hot deserts in the north to tropical rainforests in the center and south. The continent is home to many animals, including lions, elephants, and giraffes, which live in open areas called savannas. However, Africa faces environmental challenges such as loss of forests and damage to its soil.

Politics

See also: Elections in Africa, Democracy in Africa, and List of political parties in Africa by country

African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental union made up of 55 member states. It was formed on June 26, 2001, and officially started on July 9, 2002, replacing the Organisation of African Unity. The AU works to help all African countries work together and develop.

The AU has a parliament, a court, and other groups to help it make decisions. It is led by a President who is chosen by members of the parliament. The AU aims to support peace, growth, and better lives for people across Africa.

List of states and territories

Main article: List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa

Africa is home to many countries and territories. The nations here are grouped based on a system used by the United Nations, which helps organize them into regions. There are also some areas that belong to Africa geographically but are governed by countries outside of Africa.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Africa, List of African countries by GDP (nominal), and List of African countries by GDP (PPP)

See also: Economy of the African Union

Africa has many valuable resources but is still one of the poorest continents. This is because of many challenges, including past difficult governments, lack of education, and conflicts. Many people on the continent struggle with not having enough money or food. Some areas have grown a little, especially where oil and minerals are found, but most people still face big challenges.

The continent has lots of important minerals like cobalt, platinum, and gold, which are used in many modern technologies. In recent years, Africa has become a big trading partner with countries like China. Some experts believe that with better farming and new ideas, Africa could grow stronger and help more of its people.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Africa and Genetic history of Africa

See also: List of African countries by population and List of African countries by life expectancy

Proportion of total African population by country

1. Nigeria (15.4%)
2. Ethiopia (8.37%)
3. Egypt (7.65%)
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.57%)
5. Tanzania (4.55%)
6. South Africa (4.47%)
7. Kenya (3.88%)
8. Uganda (3.38%)
9. Algeria (3.36%)
10. Other (42.4%)

Africa is the most genetically diverse continent because it has been inhabited the longest. The population of Africa has grown quickly over the past 40 years and is quite young. In many African countries, more than half of the people are under 25 years old. The number of people in Africa increased from 229 million in 1950 to 630 million in 1990. As of 2021, Africa’s population is estimated at 1.4 billion. Africa’s population grew past Europe in the 1990s and passed the Americas around the year 2000. The number of babies born in Africa is expected to reach about 37% of the world’s births by 2050, up from 16% in 1990.

The total fertility rate (children per woman) for Sub-Saharan Africa is 4.7 as of 2018, the highest in the world. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had fertility rates above the replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27.1% of global live births. In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 29% of global births.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Africa

Main article: Sport in Africa

African culture has faced changes due to history, including colonial times. Some traditions were discouraged, and languages were not allowed in schools. Today, there is a growing effort to bring back and value traditional African cultures. Movements like the African Renaissance aim to celebrate African identity and history.

Africa has many popular sports. Football is widely played, with Egypt winning the African Cup many times. Morocco made history by reaching the semi-finals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Basketball is growing, with new facilities in cities like Cairo and Johannesburg. Rugby is also strong, especially in South Africa, which has won the Rugby World Cup multiple times. Traditional sports like Senegalese wrestling are still enjoyed by many people.