List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa

This is a list of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa. It includes fully recognised states, states with limited or zero recognition, and dependent territories of both African and non-African states. It lists 56 sovereign states (54 of which are member states of the United Nations), two non-sovereign (dependent) territories of non-African sovereign states, and nine sub-national regions of non-African sovereign states. Malta and parts of France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain are located on the African continental plate, some considerably closer to the African mainland than the European mainland but, politically, are generally considered to be European by convention. Egypt, although extending into Asia through the Sinai Peninsula, is considered an African state.

Further information: Sovereign state

Recognised sovereign states

[edit]

The following 54 fully recognised states are all members of the United Nations^[1] and the African Union.^[2][3][4][5]

Flag	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO [6][7][8][9]	Domestic short and formal name(s) [6][7]	Capital [8][10][11]	Population 2021 [12][13]	Area[a][b] [14]	Currency [8]
		Algeria People's Democratic Republic of Algeria DZA	Arabic: الجزائر—الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية (Al Jazāʼir—Al Jumhūriyyah al Jazāʾiriyyah ad Dimuqrāṭiyyah ash Shaʾbiyyah)	Algiers Arabic: الجزائر (Al Jazā’ir)	44,177,969	2,381,740 km2 (919,595 sq mi)	Algerian dinar
		Angola Republic of Angola AGO	Portuguese: Angola—República de Angola	Luanda Portuguese: Luanda	34,503,774	1,246,700 km2 (481,354 sq mi)	kwanza
		Benin Republic of Benin BEN	French: Bénin—République du Bénin	Porto-Novo French: Porto-Novo	12,996,895	112,622 km2 (43,484 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Botswana Republic of Botswana BWA	English: Botswana—Republic of Botswana Tswana: Botswana—Lefatshe la Botswana	Gaborone English: Gaborone Tswana: Gaborone	2,588,423	581,726 km2 (224,606 sq mi)	pula
		Burkina Faso BFA	Mooré: Burkĩna Faso	Ouagadougou Mooré: Waogdgo	22,100,683	274,000 km2 (105,792 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Burundi Republic of Burundi BDI	French: Burundi—République du Burundi Kirundi: Burundi—Republika y'u Burundi	Gitega French: Gitega Kirundi: Gitega	12,551,213	27,830 km2 (10,745 sq mi)	Burundi franc
		Cameroon Republic of Cameroon CMR	English: Cameroon—Republic of Cameroon French: Cameroun—République du Cameroun	Yaoundé English: Yaoundé French: Yaoundé	27,198,628	475,442 km2 (183,569 sq mi) includes the Cameroonian-administered parts of Southern Cameroons, which is claimed by the Southern Cameroons Peoples Organisation as the Republic of Ambazonia	CFA franc
		Cape Verde Republic of Cabo Verde CPV	Portuguese: Cabo Verde—República de Cabo Verde	Praia Portuguese: Praia	587,925	4,033 km2 (1,557 sq mi)	Cape Verdean escudo
		Central African Republic CAF	Sango: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka French: République centrafricaine	Bangui Sango: Bangî French: Bangui	5,457,154	622,984 km2 (240,535 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Chad Republic of Chad TCD	Arabic: تشاد—جمهورية تشاد (Tshād—Jumhūriyyat Tshād) French: Tchad—République du Tchad	N'Djamena Arabic: نجامينا (Nijāmīnā) French: N'Djaména	17,179,740	1,284,000 km2 (495,755 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Comoros Union of the Comoros COM	Arabic: جزرالقمر—جمهورية القمرالمتحدة (Juzur al Qamar—Jumhūriyyat al Qamar al Muttaḥidah) Comorian: Komori—Udzima wa Komori French: Comores—Union des Comores	Moroni Arabic: موروني (Mūrūnī) French: Moroni	821,625	2,235 km2 (863 sq mi)	Comorian franc
		Democratic Republic of the Congo[n 1] COD	French: République démocratique du Congo	Kinshasa French: Kinshasa	95,894,118	2,344,858 km2 (905,355 sq mi)	Congolese franc
		Republic of the Congo[n 2] COG	French: République du Congo	Brazzaville French: Brazzaville	5,835,806	342,000 km2 (132,047 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Djibouti Republic of Djibouti DJI	Arabic: جيبوتي—جمهورية جيبوتي (Jibūti—Jumhūrīyat Jibūti) French: Djibouti—République de Djibouti	Djibouti Arabic: مدينة جيبوتي (Jibūti Madīna) French: Ville de Djibouti	1,105,557	23,200 km2 (8,958 sq mi)	Djibouti franc
		Egypt Arab Republic of Egypt[n 3] EGY	Arabic: مصر—جمهورية مصر العربية(Miṣr—Jumhūrīyat Miṣr al ʿArabiyyah)	Cairo Arabic: القاهرة (al Qāhirah)	109,262,178	1,001,449 km2 (386,662 sq mi)	Egyptian pound
		Equatorial Guinea Republic of Equatorial Guinea GNQ	Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial—República de Guinea Ecuatorial French: Guinée équatoriale—République de Guinée équatoriale Portuguese: Guiné Equatorial—República da Guiné Equatorial	Malabo[n 4] Spanish: Malabo French: Malabo Portuguese: Malabo	1,634,466	28,051 km2 (10,831 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Eritrea State of Eritrea ERI	Arabic: إرتريا—دولة إرتريا (ʾIritriyā—Dawlat ʾIritriyā) English: Eritrea—State of Eritrea Tigrinya: ኤርትራ—ሃገረ ኤርትራ (ʾErtra—Hagere ʾErtra)	Asmara Arabic: أسمرة (ʾAsmara) English: Asmara Tigrinya: ኣስመራ (Asmera)	3,620,312	117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi)	nakfa
		Eswatini Kingdom of Eswatini SWZ	English: Eswatini—Kingdom of Eswatini Swazi: eSwatini—Umbuso weSwatini	Lobamba (royal and legislative) Mbabane (administrative) English: Lobamba, Mbabane Swazi: Lobamba, ÉMbábáne	1,192,271	17,364 km2 (6,704 sq mi)	lilangeni
		Ethiopia Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ETH	Amharic: Iትዮጵያ—የIትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ (Ītyōṗṗyā—Ītyōṗṗyā Fēdēralāwī Dēmōkrāsīyāwī Rīpeblīk)	Addis Ababa Amharic: አዲስ አበባ (Addis Abäba)	120,283,026	1,104,300 km2 (426,373 sq mi)	Ethiopian birr
		Gabon Gabonese Republic GAB	French: Gabon—République gabonaise	Libreville French: Libreville	2,341,179	267,668 km2 (103,347 sq mi)	CFA franc
		The Gambia Republic of the Gambia GMB	English: The Gambia—Republic of the Gambia	Banjul English: Banjul	2,639,916	10,380 km2 (4,008 sq mi)	Gambian dalasi
		Ghana Republic of Ghana GHA	English: Ghana—Republic of Ghana	Accra English: Accra	32,833,031	238,534 km2 (92,098 sq mi)	Ghana cedi
		Guinea[n 5] Republic of Guinea GIN	French: Guinée—République de Guinée	Conakry French: Conakry	13,531,906	245,857 km2 (94,926 sq mi)	Guinean franc
		Guinea-Bissau Republic of Guinea-Bissau GNB	Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau—República da Guiné-Bissau	Bissau Portuguese: Bissau	2,060,721	36,125 km2 (13,948 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Ivory Coast Republic of Côte d'Ivoire CIV	French: Côte d'Ivoire—République de Côte d'Ivoire	Yamoussoukro French: Yamoussoukro	27,478,249	322,460 km2 (124,503 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Kenya Republic of Kenya KEN	English: Kenya—Republic of Kenya Swahili: Kenya—Jamhuri ya Kenya	Nairobi English: Nairobi Swahili: Nairobi	53,005,614	580,367 km2 (224,081 sq mi)	Kenyan shilling
		Lesotho Kingdom of Lesotho LSO	English: Lesotho—Kingdom of Lesotho Sotho: Lesotho—Muso oa Lesotho	Maseru English: Maseru Sotho: Maseru	2,281,454	30,355 km2 (11,720 sq mi)	loti
		Liberia Republic of Liberia LBR	English: Liberia—Republic of Liberia	Monrovia English: Monrovia	5,193,416	111,369 km2 (43,000 sq mi)	Liberian dollar
		Libya State of Libya LBY	Arabic: ليبيا—دولة ليبيا (Lībīyā) Berber: ⵍⵉⴱⵢⴰ (Libya)	Tripoli Arabic: طرابلس (Ṭarābulus) Berber: ⵟⵔⴰⴱⵍⴻⵙ (Ṭrables)	6,735,277	1,759,540 km2 (679,362 sq mi)	Libyan dinar
		Madagascar Republic of Madagascar MDG	French: Madagascar—République de Madagascar Malagasy: Madagasikara—Repoblikan'i Madagasikara	Antananarivo French: Antananarivo Malagasy: Antananarivo	28,915,653	587,041 km2 (226,658 sq mi)	ariary
		Malawi Republic of Malawi MWI	Chichewa: Malaŵi—Dziko la Malaŵi English: Malawi—Republic of Malawi	Lilongwe Chichewa: Lilongwe English: Lilongwe	19,889,742	118,484 km2 (45,747 sq mi)	Malawian kwacha
		Mali Republic of Mali MLI	French: Mali—République du Mali	Bamako French: Bamako	21,904,983	1,240,192 km2 (478,841 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Mauritania Islamic Republic of Mauritania MRT	Arabic: موريتانيا—الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية (Mūrītānīyyā—Al Jumhūriyyah alʾIslāmiyyah al Mūrītānīyyah)	Nouakchott Arabic: نواكشوط (Nuwākshūṭ)	4,614,974	1,030,700 km2 (397,955 sq mi)	ouguiya
		Mauritius Republic of Mauritius MUS	English: Mauritius—Republic of Mauritius French: Maurice—République de Maurice Mauritian Creole: Moris—Repiblik Moris	Port Louis English: Port Louis French: Port-Louis Mauritian Creole: Porlwi	1,298,915	2,040 km2 (788 sq mi)	Mauritian rupee
		Morocco Kingdom of Morocco MAR	Arabic: المغرب—المملكة المغربية (Al Maḡrib—Al Mamlakah al Maḡribiyyah) Berber: ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ—ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⴰⵖⵔⵉⴱ (Elmaġrib—Tageldit n-Elmaġrib)	Rabat Arabic: الرباط (ar-Ribaaṭ) Berber: ⴰⵕⴱⴰⵟ (Aṛbaṭ)	37,076,584	446,550 km2 (172,414 sq mi) excludes all disputed territories 710,850 km2 (274,461 sq mi) includes the Moroccan-administered parts of Western Sahara, which is claimed by the Polisario Front as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	Moroccan dirham
		Mozambique Republic of Mozambique MOZ	Portuguese: Moçambique—República de Moçambique	Maputo Portuguese: Maputo	32,077,072	801,590 km2 (309,496 sq mi)	metical
		Namibia Republic of Namibia NAM	English: Namibia—Republic of Namibia	Windhoek English: Windhoek	2,530,151	825,418 km2 (318,696 sq mi)	Namibian dollar
		Niger Republic of the Niger NER	Hausa: Nijar–Jamhuriyar Nijar	Niamey Hausa: Yamai	25,252,722	1,267,000 km2 (489,191 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Nigeria Federal Republic of Nigeria NGA	English: Nigeria—Federal Republic of Nigeria	Abuja English: Abuja	213,401,323	923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi)	naira
		Rwanda Republic of Rwanda RWA	English: Rwanda—Republic of Rwanda French: Rwanda—République du Rwanda Kinyarwanda: Rwanda—Repubulika y'u Rwanda	Kigali English: Kigali French: Kigali Kinyarwanda: Kigali	13,461,888	26,798 km2 (10,347 sq mi)	Rwandese franc
		São Tomé and Príncipe Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe STP	Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe—República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe	São Tomé Portuguese: São Tomé	223,107	964 km2 (372 sq mi)	Dobra
		Senegal Republic of Senegal SEN	French: Sénégal—République du Sénégal	Dakar French: Dakar	16,876,720	196,723 km2 (75,955 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Seychelles Republic of Seychelles SYC	English: Seychelles—Republic of Seychelles French: Seychelles—République des Seychelles Seychellois Creole: Sesel—Repiblik Sesel	Victoria English: Victoria French: Victoria Seychellois Creole: Victoria	106,471	451 km2 (174 sq mi)	Seychelles rupee
		Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone SLE	English: Sierra Leone—Republic of Sierra Leone	Freetown English: Freetown	8,420,641	71,740 km2 (27,699 sq mi)	leone
		Somalia Federal Republic of Somalia SOM	Arabic: الصومال—جمهورية الصومال الفيدرالية (Aṣ Ṣūmāl—Jumhūriyyah aṣ Ṣūmāl al Fīdrāliyyah) Somali: Soomaaliya—Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya	Mogadishu Arabic: مقديشو (Maqadīshū) Somali: Muqdisho	17,065,581	637,657 km2 (246,201 sq mi)	Somali shilling
		South Africa Republic of South Africa ZAF	Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika—Republiek van Suid-Afrika 10 other official names English: South Africa—Republic of South Africa Tsonga: Afrika Dzonga—Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga Tswana: Aforika Borwa—Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa Southern Ndebele: Sewula Afrika—iRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika Northern Sotho: Afrika-Borwa—Repabliki ya Afrika-Borwa (Southern) Sotho: Afrika Borwa—Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa Swati: Ningizimu Afrika—iRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika Venda: Afurika Tshipembe—Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe Xhosa: uMzantsi Afrika—iRiphabliki yomZantsi Afrika Zulu: Ningizimu Afrika—iRiphabhuliki yaseNingizimu Afrika	Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative), and Pretoria (executive)	59,392,255	1,221,037 km2 (471,445 sq mi)	rand
		South Sudan Republic of South Sudan SSD	English: South Sudan—Republic of South Sudan	Juba English: Juba	10,748,272	644,329 km2 (248,777 sq mi)	South Sudanese pound
		Sudan Republic of the Sudan SDN	Arabic: السودان—جمهورية السودان (As Sūdān—Jumhūriyyah as Sūdān) English: Sudan—Republic of the Sudan	Khartoum Arabic: الخرطوم (Al Khurṭūm) English: Khartoum	45,657,202	1,861,484 km2 (718,723 sq mi)	Sudanese pound
		Tanzania United Republic of Tanzania TZA	English: Tanzania—United Republic of Tanzania Swahili: Tanzania—Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania	Dodoma (official) Dar es Salaam (seat of government) English: Dodoma Swahili: Dodoma	63,588,334	945,203 km2 (364,945 sq mi)	Tanzanian shilling
		Togo Togolese Republic TGO	French: Togo—République Togolaise	Lomé French: Lomé	8,644,829	56,785 km2 (21,925 sq mi)	CFA franc
		Tunisia Republic of Tunisia TUN	Arabic: تونس—الجمهورية التونسية (Tūnis—Al Jumhūriyyah at Tūnisīyyah)	Tunis Arabic: تونس (Tūnis)	12,262,946	163,610 km2 (63,170 sq mi)	Tunisian dinar
		Uganda Republic of Uganda UGA	English: Uganda—Republic of Uganda Swahili: Uganda—Jamhuri ya Uganda	Kampala English: Kampala Swahili: Kampala	45,853,778	236,040 km2 (91,136 sq mi)	Ugandan shilling
		Zambia Republic of Zambia ZMB	English: Zambia—Republic of Zambia	Lusaka English: Lusaka	19,473,125	752,614 km2 (290,586 sq mi)	Zambian kwacha
		Zimbabwe Republic of Zimbabwe ZWE	English: Zimbabwe—Republic of Zimbabwe	Harare English: Harare	15,993,524	390,757 km2 (150,872 sq mi)	Zimbabwe dollar

Sovereign states with limited or no international recognition

[edit]

Further information: List of states with limited recognition

The following two entities have declared themselves to be sovereign states and are in control of some territory but have limited or no recognition from other states. Neither entity is a member state of the United Nations, although the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a member of the African Union.

Flag	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO	Status	Domestic short name(s) and formal name(s)	Capital	Population	Area	Currency
		Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[n 6]	Claimed by Morocco as its southernmost provinces Recognised by the African Union and 46 UN members and South Ossetia as the representative government of Western Sahara	Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية (Al Jumhūrīyah al ‘Arabīyah aṣ Ṣaḥrāwīyah ad Dīmuqrāṭīyah) Spanish: República Árabe Saharaui Democrática	El Aaiún (proclaimed)[n 7] Arabic: العيون (AlʿUyūn) Spanish: El Aaiún	582,478	267,405 km2 (103,246 sq mi)	Sahrawi peseta
		Somaliland Republic of Somaliland[15][16]	State not controlled by Somalia[17] Recognised by no UN member,[18][19] only by Taiwan	Arabic: أرض الصومال—جمهورية أرض الصومال (Arḍ aṣ Ṣūmāl—Jumhūrīyat Arḍ aṣ Ṣūmāl) Somali: Soomaaliland—Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland	Hargeisa Arabic: هرجيسا (Harjaysā) Somali: Hargeysa	4,000,000	176,120 km2 (68,000 sq mi)	Somaliland shilling

There are currently 11 non-sovereign territories in Africa. Except two Spanish autonomous cities and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, all the remaining territories are islands off the continent's coast.

Dependent territories

[edit]

Further information: Dependent territory

Flag	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO	Ruling power	Status[20]	Domestic short name and formal name	Capital	Population	Area[14]	Currency
		Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha SH	United Kingdom	British Overseas Territory	English: Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	Jamestown	5,633	420 km2 (162 sq mi)	Saint Helena pound (Saint Helena & Ascension) Pound sterling (Tristan da Cunha)
		French Southern and Antarctic Lands[n 8] FR-TF	France	Overseas territory of France	French: Terres australes et antarctiques françaises	Saint Pierre[n 9]	No permanent population[21]	38.60 km2 (15 sq mi)	euro

Other territories

[edit]

This list contains nine territories that are administered as incorporated areas of a primarily non-African country.

Flag	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO	Ruling power	Status[20]	Domestic short name(s) and formal name(s)	Capital	Population	Area[14]	Currency
		Canary Islands Autonomous Region of the Canary Islands ES-CN	Spain	Autonomous community of Spain	Spanish: Islas Canarias	Santa Cruz and Las Palmas[22] Spanish: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	2,207,225	7,447 km2 (2,875 sq mi)	euro
		Ceuta Autonomous City of Ceuta ES-CE		Autonomous city of Spain	Spanish: Ceuta—Ciudad autónoma de Ceuta	Ceuta Spanish: Ceuta	84,843	28 km2 (11 sq mi)	euro
		Madeira Autonomous Region of Madeira PT-30	Portugal	Autonomous Region of Portugal	Portuguese: Madeira—Região Autónoma da Madeira	Funchal Portuguese: Funchal	267,785	828 km2 (320 sq mi)	euro
		Mayotte Mayotte Region YT	France	Overseas region and constituent part of the French Republic	French: Mayotte—Région Mayotte	Mamoudzou French: Mamoudzou	266,380	374 km2 (144 sq mi)	euro
		Melilla Autonomous City of Melilla ES-ML	Spain	Autonomous city of Spain	Spanish: Melilla—Ciudad autónoma de Melilla	Melilla Spanish: Melilla	84,714	20 km2 (8 sq mi)	euro
		Pelagie Islands	Italy	Archipelago of Italy	Italian: Isole Pelagie Sicilian: Ìsuli Pilaggî	Lampedusa e Linosa[n 10] Italian: Lampedusa e Linosa Sicilian: Lampidusa e Linusa[23]	6,304	21.4 km2 (8 sq mi)	euro
		Plazas de soberanía	Spain	Overseas territory of Spain	Spanish: Plazas de soberanía	N/A	74	0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi)	euro
		Réunion Réunion Region RE	France	Overseas region and constituent part of the French Republic	French: Réunion—Région Réunion	Saint-Denis French: Saint-Denis	889,918	2,512 km2 (970 sq mi)	euro
		Socotra Archipelago	Yemen	Governorate of Yemen	Arabic: أرخبيل سقطرى (ʾArḫabīl Suquṭrā)	Hadibu Arabic: اديبو (Ḥādībū)	60,550	3,974.64 km2 (1,535 sq mi)	Yemeni rial