The Definitive 2025 List: How Many Countries Are There In Africa—54, 55, Or More?

The question of "How many countries are there in Africa?" is not as simple as it seems, even in the current year, December 2025. While the official, internationally recognized number has been stable for over a decade, the political reality on the ground—and the ongoing quest for full sovereignty by several breakaway regions—means the answer depends entirely on your definition of a 'country.'

For the purposes of international law and most global organizations, the consensus is clear: Africa is home to 54 fully recognized sovereign states. This number is affirmed by both the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). However, to truly understand the continent's complex political landscape, you must look beyond the official count and examine the territories that are functionally independent but lack full global recognition, which is the source of the persistent "55 countries" debate.

The Official Count: 54 Recognized African Nations

The number 54 is the standard, authoritative figure taught in schools and used in diplomatic circles. This count includes all 54 sovereign nations that are members of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).

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The most recent addition to this official list was the Republic of South Sudan, which achieved its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum.

To provide a comprehensive resource, here is the complete list of the 54 African countries, categorized by their recognized sub-regions:

• Northern Africa (5): Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia.
• Western Africa (16): Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
• Central Africa (9): Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe.
• Eastern Africa (18): Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• Southern Africa (6): Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa.

This list, encompassing nearly a quarter of the world's total countries, highlights Africa’s immense political and cultural diversity.

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The Disputed Territories: Why Some Say 55 (or More)

The confusion surrounding the "55 countries in Africa" figure stems from two main territories that operate as independent states but are not universally recognized: Western Sahara and Somaliland. Understanding their status is key to grasping the geopolitical nuances of the continent.

Western Sahara (The Most Contentious Case)

Western Sahara, historically a Spanish colony, is the most frequently cited reason for the 55-country claim.

• Political Status: The territory is largely controlled by Morocco, which calls it the Southern Provinces. The indigenous Sahrawi people, through the Polisario Front, claim the territory as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
• International Recognition: The SADR is a full member of the African Union (AU), which is why some AU-focused counts arrive at 55. However, the United Nations does not recognize the SADR as a sovereign state.
• Current Update (2025): The dispute remains a major point of tension. In a notable development, the UN Security Council has recently backed Morocco's autonomy plan for the region as a potential resolution, a move that suggests a complex and evolving political landscape for the territory.

Somaliland (The De Facto Independent State)

Somaliland, located in the Horn of Africa, declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. It is a classic example of a de facto state—a region that has all the characteristics of a country but lacks formal international recognition.

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• Political Status: Somaliland has its own functioning government, currency, military, and elections. It has maintained relative peace and stability while its neighbor, Somalia, has faced decades of conflict.
• Quest for Recognition (2025): The push for international recognition has been gaining attention. Influential policy documents and legislative efforts, such as the re-introduction of the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act in the US in 2025, signal a potential shift in its diplomatic status.

Neither Western Sahara nor Somaliland is counted in the official 54-nation list, but their political realities are why the number 55 persists in many discussions.

The Extremes: Largest, Smallest, and Most Populous African Nations

To gain a true sense of Africa's scale, it helps to look at the geographical and demographic extremes among the 54 recognized states. The contrast between the largest and smallest countries is staggering, highlighting the continent's diverse geography and population density.

The Giants of Africa (By Area and Population)

Largest Country by Area: Algeria

Algeria, located in North Africa, is the largest country on the continent, covering a massive area of approximately 2,381,741 square kilometers (919,595 sq mi). A significant portion of its landmass is covered by the Sahara Desert.

Largest Country by Population: Nigeria

Nigeria, in West Africa, is not only the most populous country in Africa but also one of the fastest-growing nations globally. Its population is well over 200 million, making it a major economic and cultural powerhouse on the continent.

The Microstates of Africa (The Smallest Nations)

The smallest countries are often island nations, offering a striking contrast to the vast deserts and plains of the mainland.

Smallest Country by Area: Seychelles

The Seychelles, an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, is the smallest country in Africa by land area, measuring just 451 to 460 square kilometers (about 174 square miles). It is a stunning example of a small island developing state (SIDS).

Smallest Country by Population: Seychelles

Seychelles also holds the title for the least populated sovereign African nation, with a population of approximately 132,779 people. Other microstates that rank among the smallest include São Tomé and Príncipe, Comoros, and Mauritius.

Beyond the Numbers: The Future of Africa's Map

While 54 remains the official count in December 2025, the map of Africa is a dynamic entity, shaped by history, colonialism, and ongoing political movements. The independence of South Sudan in 2011 proved that the number is not fixed, and the continued push for recognition by territories like Somaliland and the complex status of Western Sahara mean that the official count could change again.

The continent's future political geography will be determined by how the African Union and the international community address these sovereignty claims. For now, the definitive answer to "How many countries are there in Africa?" is 54 recognized sovereign states, with two major disputed territories at the heart of the "55" debate.