Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2024, the country counted over 232.6 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 132 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 116 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranks seventh, while Mauritius has the highest population density on the whole African continent. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

As of January 2024, Nigeria had more than 103 million internet users - the highest number reported all over Africa. Meanwhile, Egypt ranked second with over 82 million users. The majority of web traffic in leading digital markets in Africa originated from mobile devices - in Nigeria, one of the countries with the largest number of internet users worldwide, 86.2 percent of web traffic was generated via smartphones and roughly 13.3 percent via PC devices. This is due in part to the fact that mobile connections are much cheaper and do not require the infrastructure that is needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections.

Anticipating remarkable growth: Africa's internet user surge and projected milestones The projected trend for Africa indicates a consistent rise in internet users from 2024 to 2029. It will have a collective addition of 337.3 million users (equivalent to a growth of 51.79 percent). Following fifteen successive years of growth, the user count is anticipated to reach a record high of 1.1 billion by 2029. Furthermore, the online penetration rate on the continent was 43 percent – which was below the global average, measured at around 68 percent.

Unveiling internet trends The region has witnessed a steady increase in internet users over the years. In January 2024, Southern Africa stood out as the African region with the most substantial internet penetration rate, reaching approximately 73.1 percent. The proportion of individuals accessing the internet in this part of Africa and Northern Africa surpassed the global average (66.2 percent). Moreover, Morocco boasted an impressive internet penetration of about 91 percent, securing its position as Africa's foremost country. Libya held the second position with a penetration rate of approximately 88 percent, followed closely by Seychelles at around 86.7 percent.

This dataset provides values for POPULATION reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

As of January 2024, Morocco had an internet penetration of approximately 91 percent, making it the country with the highest internet penetration in Africa. Libya ranked second, with around 88 percent, followed by Seychelles with roughly 87 percent. On the other hand, South Sudan, Burundi, and The Central African Republic had the lowest prevalence of internet among their population.

Varying but growing levels of internet adoption

Although internet usage varies significantly across African countries, the overall number of internet users on the continent jumped to around 646 million from close to 181 million in 2014. Of those, almost a third lived in Nigeria and Egypt only, two of the three most populous countries on the continent. Furthermore, internet users are expected to surge, reaching over 1.1 billion users by 2029.

Mobile devices dominate web traffic

Most internet adoptions on the continent occurred recently. This is among the reasons mobile phones increasingly play a significant role in connecting African populations. As of early January 2024, around 74 percent of the web traffic in Africa was via mobile phones, over 14 percentage points higher than the world average. Furthermore, almost all African countries have a higher web usage on mobile devices compared to other devices, with rates as high as 92 percent in Sudan. This is partly due to mobile connections being cheaper and not requiring the infrastructure needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections.

Chart and table of Africa population from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

South Africa's GDP was estimated at just over 403 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 380 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with about 260 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest-growing economies worldwide. Dependency on oil For some African countries, the oil industry represents an enormous source of income. In Nigeria, oil generates over five percent of the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2023. However, economies such as the Libyan, Algerian, or Angolan are even much more dependent on the oil sector. In Libya, for instance, oil rents account for over 40 percent of the GDP. Indeed, Libya is one of the economies most dependent on oil worldwide. Similarly, oil represents for some of Africa’s largest economies a substantial source of export value. The giants do not make the ranking Most of Africa’s largest economies do not appear in the leading ten African countries for GDP per capita. The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population. Therefore, a populated country with a low total GDP will have a low GDP per capita, while a small rich nation has a high GDP per capita. For instance, South Africa has Africa’s highest GDP, but also counts the sixth-largest population, so wealth has to be divided into its big population. The GDP per capita also indicates how a country’s wealth reaches each of its citizens. In Africa, Seychelles has the greatest GDP per capita.

In 1880, European territories in Africa were largely concentrated along the coast, and the vast majority of the continent was officially independent from foreign control. By 1914, however, only the regions of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia) and Liberia (under the unofficial protection of the U.S.) had not been claimed by a European power. In what became known as the "Scramble for Africa" in the 1880s, the new nations of Germany and Italy sought to establish overseas empires and compete with other European powers; a number of whom had lost the majority of their colonies in the Americas, or run out of room to expand in the Asia-Pacific, and were also keen on African colonization. New possibilities and opportunities Inward expansion in the continent was facilitated by improvements in transport technology (particularly the use of steamships) and the development of anti-malarial medicines. This led to the discovery and exploitation of Africa's vast, untapped natural resources, as well as the establishment of militant trading companies who enforced these activities. Through a series of bilateral treaties and the Conference of Berlin 1884-5, European powers largely agreed upon defined boundaries between their respective territories; this allowed them to focus on securing their commercial aspirations and the suppression of native populations, without the same level of European competition they faced when colonizing the Americas. Britain and France ultimately controlled the largest territories; Britain's goal was to control one continuous territory that stretched the length of the continent, from Egypt to South Africa (which they eventually achieved following the First World War), while France's aim was for one continuous territory stretching across Africa, which would give them control of the Nile, Niger and Saharan trade routes. The newly constructed Suez Canal in Egypt was arguably the most coveted possession, as it greatly reduced the time needed for trade from Asia to reach Europe; it was eventually administered by Britain. Legacy European colonization in Africa is largely remembered for the widespread atrocities inflicted upon the African people, and the exploitation of its resources. The most well-known of these were committed in the Congo Free State (present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo). Belgian King Leopold II privately owned this territory and claimed to be conducting humanitarian work in the region; however, this was a ploy to raise capital for commercial ventures, and a front for the forced labor of the Congolese natives. These forced laborers (many of which were children) were seen as expendable, and were mutilated or murdered for failure to meet quotas; severed hands even became trophies or determined the wage bonuses of European soldiers. Despite condemnation from the international community at the time, there is evidence of their continuation after the Belgian state took control of the region in 1908, and of widespread atrocities committed by all European powers in their respective territories. Additionally, due to European influence, Africa became a major theater in both World Wars; Africans suffered disproportionately in terms of military and civilian losses, while colonial mismanagement also led to famines that killed millions. The lack of accurate census data throughout this period has made it impossible for historians to determine the full extent of the atrocities inflicted upon Africa from the 1880s until independence, although most estimates of the death tolls are several tens of millions, with up to ten million deaths in the Congo Free State alone. Today, even in the post-independence era, Western influence remains a contentious subject on the continent, with some former-French colonies expelling Western businesses and militaries from their countries during recent coups, while the foreign extraction of raw materials from countries such as the DRC come have a destabilizing effect on local populations.

Lebanon Exports: African Countries: South Africa data was reported at 315,094.295 USD th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 628,269.436 USD th for 2016. Lebanon Exports: African Countries: South Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 5,248.500 USD th from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 864,379.775 USD th in 2012 and a record low of 308.976 USD th in 2000. Lebanon Exports: African Countries: South Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lebanese Customs. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.JA008: Exports: by Country: Annual.

Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Ghana data was reported at 32,220.805 USD th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 125,535.927 USD th for 2016. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Ghana data is updated yearly, averaging 5,432.000 USD th from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 125,535.927 USD th in 2016 and a record low of 2,111.000 USD th in 1996. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Ghana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lebanese Customs. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.JA017: Imports: by Country: Annual.

United Arab Emirates Imports: African Countries: ow Guinea data was reported at 9,984,061.846 AED th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,960,438.558 AED th for 2016. United Arab Emirates Imports: African Countries: ow Guinea data is updated yearly, averaging 42,501.099 AED th from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,984,061.846 AED th in 2017 and a record low of 0.000 AED th in 2009. United Arab Emirates Imports: African Countries: ow Guinea data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Arab Emirates – Table AE.JA025: Imports: by Country: Annual.

Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Uganda data was reported at 1,481.889 USD th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,616.915 USD th for 2016. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Uganda data is updated yearly, averaging 675.000 USD th from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,958.833 USD th in 2014 and a record low of 41.000 USD th in 2000. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Uganda data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lebanese Customs. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.JA017: Imports: by Country: Annual.

Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Lesotho data was reported at 472.025 USD th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 589.399 USD th for 2016. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Lesotho data is updated yearly, averaging 1.500 USD th from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 589.399 USD th in 2016 and a record low of 0.000 USD th in 2010. Lebanon Imports: African Countries: Lesotho data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lebanese Customs. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.JA017: Imports: by Country: Annual.

Background: More than 1 year after the beginning of the international spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the reasons explaining its apparently lower reported burden in Africa are still to be fully elucidated. Few studies previously investigated the potential reasons explaining this epidemiological observation using data at the level of a few African countries. However, an updated analysis considering the various epidemiological waves and variables across an array of categories, with a focus on African countries might help to better understand the COVID-19 pandemic on the continent. Thus, we investigated the potential reasons for the persistently lower transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19 in Africa.Methods: Data were collected from publicly available and well-known online sources. The cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths per 1 million population reported by the African countries up to February 2021 were used to estimate the transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19, respectively. The covariates were collected across several data sources: clinical/diseases data, health system performance, demographic parameters, economic indicators, climatic, pollution, and radiation variables, and use of social media. The collinearities were corrected using variance inflation factor (VIF) and selected variables were fitted to a multiple regression model using the R statistical package.Results: Our model (adjusted R-squared: 0.7) found that the number of COVID-19 tests per 1 million population, GINI index, global health security (GHS) index, and mean body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with COVID-19 cases per 1 million population. No association was found between the median life expectancy, the proportion of the rural population, and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) coverage rate. On the other hand, diabetes prevalence, number of nurses, and GHS index were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 deaths per 1 million population (adjusted R-squared of 0.5). Moreover, the median life expectancy and lower respiratory infections rate showed a trend towards significance. No association was found with the BCG coverage or communicable disease burden.Conclusions: Low health system capacity, together with some clinical and socio-economic factors were the predictors of the reported burden of COVID-19 in Africa. Our results emphasize the need for Africa to strengthen its overall health system capacity to efficiently detect and respond to public health crises.

Lebanon Exports: African Countries: Swaziland data was reported at 39.500 USD th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 93.568 USD th for 2016. Lebanon Exports: African Countries: Swaziland data is updated yearly, averaging 1.326 USD th from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,750.000 USD th in 2009 and a record low of 0.000 USD th in 2008. Lebanon Exports: African Countries: Swaziland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Lebanese Customs. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.JA008: Exports: by Country: Annual.

This dataset provides values for TOURIST ARRIVALS reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Bangladesh Exports: African Countries: excl Middle East: South Africa data was reported at 11,487.000 BDT mn in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,938.000 BDT mn for 2021. Bangladesh Exports: African Countries: excl Middle East: South Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 277.850 BDT mn from Jun 1989 (Median) to 2022, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 185,608.000 BDT mn in 2020 and a record low of 0.358 BDT mn in 1991. Bangladesh Exports: African Countries: excl Middle East: South Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.JA008: Trade Statistics: Exports by Country: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

The world's most accurate population datasets (according to Data for Good at Meta). Seven maps/datasets for the distribution of various populations in African countries: (1) Overall population density (2) Women (3) Men (4) Children (ages 0-5) (5) Youth (ages 15-24) (6) Elderly (ages 60+) (7) Women of reproductive age (ages 15-49).

Abstract

The Afrobarometer is a comparative series of public attitude surveys that assess African citizen's attitudes to democracy and governance, markets, and civil society, among other topics. The surveys have been undertaken at periodic intervals since 1999. The Afrobarometer's coverage has increased over time. Round 1 (1999-2001) initially covered 7 countries and was later extended to 12 countries. Round 2 (2002-2004) surveyed citizens in 16 countries. Round 3 (2005-2006) 18 countries, Round 4 (2008) 20 countries, Round 5 (2011-2013) 34 countries, and Round 6 (2014-2015) 36 countries. The survey covered 34 countries in Round 7 (2016-2018).

Geographic coverage

The survey has national coverage in the following 34 African countries: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, eSwatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

The sample universe for Afrobarometer surveys includes all citizens of voting age within the country. In other words, we exclude anyone who is not a citizen and anyone who has not attained this age (usually 18 years) on the day of the survey. Also excluded are areas determined to be either inaccessible or not relevant to the study, such as those experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters, as well as national parks and game reserves. As a matter of practice, we have also excluded people living in institutionalized settings, such as students in dormitories and persons in prisons or nursing homes.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Afrobarometer uses national probability samples designed to meet the following criteria. Samples are designed to generate a sample that is a representative cross-section of all citizens of voting age in a given country. The goal is to give every adult citizen an equal and known chance of being selected for an interview. They achieve this by:

• using random selection methods at every stage of sampling; • sampling at all stages with probability proportionate to population size wherever possible to ensure that larger (i.e., more populated) geographic units have a proportionally greater probability of being chosen into the sample.

The sampling universe normally includes all citizens age 18 and older. As a standard practice, we exclude people living in institutionalized settings, such as students in dormitories, patients in hospitals, and persons in prisons or nursing homes. Occasionally, we must also exclude people living in areas determined to be inaccessible due to conflict or insecurity. Any such exclusion is noted in the technical information report (TIR) that accompanies each data set.

Sample size and design Samples usually include either 1,200 or 2,400 cases. A randomly selected sample of n=1200 cases allows inferences to national adult populations with a margin of sampling error of no more than +/-2.8% with a confidence level of 95 percent. With a sample size of n=2400, the margin of error decreases to +/-2.0% at 95 percent confidence level.

The sample design is a clustered, stratified, multi-stage, area probability sample. Specifically, we first stratify the sample according to the main sub-national unit of government (state, province, region, etc.) and by urban or rural location.

Area stratification reduces the likelihood that distinctive ethnic or language groups are left out of the sample. Afrobarometer occasionally purposely oversamples certain populations that are politically significant within a country to ensure that the size of the sub-sample is large enough to be analysed. Any oversamples is noted in the TIR.

Sample stages Samples are drawn in either four or five stages:

Stage 1: In rural areas only, the first stage is to draw secondary sampling units (SSUs). SSUs are not used in urban areas, and in some countries they are not used in rural areas. See the TIR that accompanies each data set for specific details on the sample in any given country. Stage 2: We randomly select primary sampling units (PSU). Stage 3: We then randomly select sampling start points. Stage 4: Interviewers then randomly select households. Stage 5: Within the household, the interviewer randomly selects an individual respondent. Each interviewer alternates in each household between interviewing a man and interviewing a woman to ensure gender balance in the sample.

To keep the costs and logistics of fieldwork within manageable limits, eight interviews are clustered within each selected PSU.

Data weights For some national surveys, data are weighted to correct for over or under-sampling or for household size. "Withinwt" should be turned on for all national -level descriptive statistics in countries that contain this weighting variable. It is included as the last variable in the data set, with details described in the codebook. For merged data sets, "Combinwt" should be turned on for cross-national comparisons of descriptive statistics. Note: this weighting variable standardizes each national sample as if it were equal in size.

Further information on sampling protocols, including full details of the methodologies used for each stage of sample selection, can be found at https://afrobarometer.org/surveys-and-methods/sampling-principles

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire for Round 7 addressed country-specific issues, but many of the same questions were asked across surveys. The survey instruments were not standardized across all countries and the following features should be noted:

• In the seven countries that originally formed the Southern Africa Barometer (SAB) - Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe - a standardized questionnaire was used, so question wording and response categories are the generally the same for all of these countries. The questionnaires in Mali and Tanzania were also essentially identical (in the original English version). Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria each had distinct questionnaires.

• This merged dataset combines, into a single variable, responses from across these different countries where either identical or very similar questions were used, or where conceptually equivalent questions can be found in at least nine of the different countries. For each variable, the exact question text from each of the countries or groups of countries ("SAB" refers to the Southern Africa Barometer countries) is listed.

• Response options also varied on some questions, and where applicable, these differences are also noted.

The population in Africa was forecast to expand annually by an average of 2.37 percent between 2020 and 2025. Over 20 countries might grow above this rate, with Niger leading by an annual population change of 3.7 percent in the mentioned period. Angola was expected to follow, with an average population growth of 3.15 percent annually. Overall, Africa has recorded a faster population growth compared to other world regions. The continent's population almost doubled in the last 25 years.

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa offers a thorough and detailed examination of trade activities across the African continent. This extensive dataset provides valuable insights into import and export transactions involving companies throughout Africa, covering a wide range of countries and regions.

Coverage Across All African Countries

The dataset includes comprehensive trade data for all African countries, divided into key regions:

North Africa:

Egypt Libya Mauritania Morocco Algeria Sudan Tunisia East Africa: 8. Burundi 9. Comoros 10. Djibouti 11. Eritrea 12. Ethiopia 13. Kenya 14. Madagascar 15. Malawi 16. Mauritius 17. Rwanda 18. Seychelles 19. Somalia 20. Tanzania 21. Uganda

West Africa: 22. Benin 23. Burkina Faso 24. Cape Verde 25. Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) 26. Gambia 27. Ghana 28. Guinea 29. Guinea-Bissau 30. Liberia 31. Mali 32. Niger 33. Nigeria 34. Senegal 35. Sierra Leone 36. Togo

Central Africa: 37. Angola 38. Cameroon 39. Central African Republic 40. Chad 41. Congo, Democratic Republic of the 42. Congo, Republic of the 43. Equatorial Guinea 44. Gabon 45. São Tomé and Príncipe

Southern Africa: 46. Botswana 47. Eswatini (Swaziland) 48. Lesotho 49. Namibia 50. South Africa 51. Zimbabwe

Comprehensive Data Features

Transaction Details: The dataset includes detailed information on each trade transaction, such as product descriptions, quantities, values, and dates. This allows for precise tracking and analysis of trade patterns and flows across Africa.

Company Information: It provides specific details about the trading companies involved, including company names, locations, and industry sectors, facilitating targeted market research and competitive analysis.

Categorization: Transactions are categorized by industry sectors, product types, and trade partners, offering insights into market dynamics and sector-specific trends within different regions of Africa.

Trade Trends: Users can analyze historical data to observe trade trends, identify emerging markets, and assess the impact of economic, political, or environmental events on trade activities across the continent.

Geographical Insights: The data provides insights into regional trade flows and cross-border dynamics within Africa and with global trade partners, including major international trade relationships.

Regulatory and Compliance Data: Information on trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements is included, helping businesses navigate the complex regulatory environments across various African countries.

Applications and Benefits

Market Research: Businesses can leverage the data to uncover new market opportunities, analyze competitive landscapes, and understand demand for specific products across different African countries and regions.

Strategic Planning: Companies can use insights from the data to develop effective trade strategies, optimize supply chains, and manage risks associated with international trade in Africa.

Economic Analysis: Analysts and policymakers can monitor economic performance, evaluate trade balances, and make informed decisions on trade policies and economic development initiatives.

Investment Decisions: Investors can assess trade trends and market potentials to make informed decisions about investments in Africa’s diverse and rapidly evolving economies.

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa provides a crucial resource for organizations involved in international trade, offering a detailed, reliable, and expansive view of trade activities across the African continent.