Which African country is the continent’s most populous?

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country.

Nigeria lies on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and has a population exceeding 200 million, making it substantially larger than every other African country by population. Its people belong to hundreds of ethnic groups, with the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo among the largest. English is the official language.

The country became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960. Abuja has been the national capital since 1991, when it replaced Lagos, although Lagos remains the country’s largest city and a major commercial center.

Population rankings can change as estimates are revised, but Nigeria’s lead is long-standing and clear. Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also among Africa’s most populous countries, but none has Nigeria’s total. Nigeria’s large population also makes it one of the world’s most populous countries overall.