FULL LIST: NIGERIA RETAINS TITLE AS AFRICA’S MOST POPULOUS NATION WITH 242.4 MILLION PEOPLE
Read Time:1 Minute, 28 Second
By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Nigeria has retained its position as Africa’s most populous country, with an estimated population of 242.4 million in 2026, according to the latest population estimates by Worldometer.
The new figures place Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia and Egypt, which rank second and third respectively among the continent’s most populous countries.
Africa remains the world’s fastest-growing continent, with its population projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, driven by a youthful population, high fertility rates and improved healthcare.
Nigeria’s latest estimate is based on population projections, as the country’s last official census was conducted in 2006, when the population stood at 140.4 million.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria recorded an estimated 2.1 per cent population growth rate in 2025, contributing to its continued demographic expansion.
TOP 10 MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES IN AFRICA (2026)
- Nigeria — 242.4 million
- Ethiopia — 138.9 million
- Egypt — 120.1 million
- Democratic Republic of Congo — 116.5 million
- Tanzania — 72.6 million
- South Africa — 65.5 million
- Kenya — 58.6 million
- Sudan — 53.3 million
- Uganda — 52.8 million
- Algeria — 48.0 million
Nigeria added an estimated 4.9 million people over the past year and continues to have one of the youngest populations globally, with a median age of 18 years and a fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan recorded some of the fastest population growth rates among the top 10 countries, while South Africa posted one of the slowest growth rates at 1.09 per cent.
Experts say Africa’s rapidly growing population is expected to reshape labour markets, consumer demand and investment opportunities, with Nigeria projected to remain a major driver of the continent’s economic growth in the coming years.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0