Which African country has the largest population?

Nigeria is the African country with the largest population. Its population is estimated at well over 230 million, placing it far ahead of other populous African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Nigeria’s population is concentrated unevenly across a large and diverse country. Lagos is one of Africa’s biggest urban areas, while Abuja, the capital since 1991, sits near the country’s geographic centre. Nigeria contains 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and its population includes hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are among the largest cultural and linguistic communities.

The country became independent from the United Kingdom in 1960 and has experienced rapid population growth since then. Its relatively young population and high birth rate are major reasons it continues to lead Africa in total population. Estimates vary because Nigeria has not conducted a recent comprehensive national census, so figures should be treated as projections rather than an exact headcount. Egypt may be more familiar in world-history quizzes, but Nigeria is the accepted answer for Africa’s most populous country.