List of African Countries’ Independence Dates

The people and cultures of the 54 African countries that exist today have long and fascinating histories. But part of their history has been impacted by colonialism: as European powers became aware of the continent and began exploring in the 15th century, and especially after the Scramble for Africa of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they claimed territory in Africa for themselves. All but a few of modern Africa’s countries were then subjected to decades of colonial rule. One exception, Liberia, was founded in the 19th century as a settlement for formerly enslaved people. Similarly, Ethiopia, which is one of the oldest countries in the world and has been independent for the majority of that time, was an Italian colony for five years. Egypt, one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, has enjoyed independence for much of that time but has also experienced periods when it was subjected to other ruling powers.

In the years after World War II (1939–45), a trend toward decolonization took hold in Africa, spurred by growing nationalistic sentiments among African people as well as European powers lacking the funds and political support (both at home and abroad) necessary to continue claims on their overseas colonies. Beginning in the 1950s, African colonies began achieving independence—in 1960 alone, 17 newly independent countries emerged—and more followed, with most independent by the end of 1980. Later some countries—Eritrea (1993), Namibia (1990), and South Sudan (2011)—achieved independence from other African countries.

The list below provides the dates of each country’s formation or independence, as well as from whom they achieved independence.

¹The kingdom of Burundi came under German colonial rule in the late 19th century. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, it came under Belgian administration in 1922. Burundi regained its independence on July 1, 1962.

²French Cameroun gained independence on January 1, 1960, and was joined by the southern portion of British Cameroons on October 1, 1961, to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon; the northern portion of British Cameroons joined with Nigeria on June 1, 1961.

³Egypt is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, spanning many millennia. Throughout its vast and varied history, it has enjoyed independence as well as been subject to other ruling powers. The Kingdom of Egypt was declared on February 22, 1922, although it was still subject to the influence of Great Britain, its former colonial administrator. After a military coup on July 23, 1952, the modern-day republic was declared on June 18, 1953.

⁴One of the world’s oldest countries, Ethiopia maintained its independence until the 20th century, when it was briefly occupied by Italy (1936–41).

⁵ Guinea-Bissau declared independence from Portugal on September 24, 1973, but full independence was not achieved until September 10, 1974.

⁶Liberia is the only Black state in Africa that has never been subjected to colonial rule. It was established by the American Colonization Society in 1821 for people who formerly had been enslaved in the United States. In 1824 the territory was named Liberia. It was declared an independent republic on July 26, 1847.

⁷Italy began colonizing parts of what now is Libya in 1911, and Libya’s historical regions—Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan—were eventually united as an Italian colony. After Italy’s defeat in World War II, Libya was administered by France and Great Britain. On November 21, 1949, the UN General Assembly voted that Libya should become independent no later than January 1, 1952. Libya declared independence on December 24, 1951.

⁸The Kingdom of Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912. Spain also held a portion of Moroccan territory. Morocco regained its independence from France on March 2, 1956, and from Spain on April 7, 1956.

⁹Namibia was colonized by Germany beginning in the 1880s. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, it came under administration of South Africa in 1919. Namibia attained independence on March 21, 1990.

¹⁰The kingdom of Rwanda came under German colonial rule in the late 19th century. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, it came under Belgian administration in 1922. Rwanda regained its independence on July 1, 1962.

¹¹British Somaliland became independent on June 26, 1960. Italian Somaliland became independent on July 1, 1960, at which point it joined with British Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.

¹²The Union of South Africa, a dominion within the British Commonwealth that was ruled by the country’s white minority, was formed on May 31, 1910. Black majority rule was achieved in a new, nonracial government after the country’s first elections by universal suffrage were held in April 1994.

¹³ Sudan was ruled by the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium, a joint British-Egyptian government, from 1899 to 1955. Sudan was declared an independent republic on January 1, 1956.

¹⁴Tanzania was formed as a sovereign state April 26, 1964, through the union of the theretofore separate states of Tanganyika, which became independent from Great Britain on December 9, 1961, and Zanzibar, which became independent from Great Britain on December 10, 1963.

¹⁵Zimbabwe’s white minority government (under the name of Rhodesia) unilaterally declared independence from Great Britain on November 11, 1965, but Great Britain did not accept it. Independence was granted with Black majority rule on April 18, 1980.