What is the most populous country in Africa?

The most populous country in Africa is Nigeria. Its population is estimated at more than 240 million, placing it far ahead of every other African country.

Nigeria occupies about 923,769 square kilometres in West Africa, stretching from the semi-arid Sahel in the north to the Gulf of Guinea in the south. Its population is concentrated especially in the southern and central regions, where major cities include Lagos, Ibadan, Benin City and Abuja.

Nigeria’s demographic scale reflects both a large youthful population and sustained population growth. It is home to roughly 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are among the largest ethnolinguistic communities, while English is the official language.

A common mix-up is Egypt, which is also one of Africa’s most populous countries and the largest in North Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a vast territory and a rapidly growing population, but Nigeria remains Africa’s population leader and is also among the world’s most populous countries.