Africa is rich with history, literature, culture, food, technology and a whole lot of other things that come with having people of diverse backgrounds, ethnic groups and languages. Because there’s so much going on and perhaps not enough media coverage or lack thereof, we will dive into some of the interesting facts, news and stories about all 54 African countries in this series.

We believe that more rounded knowledge about the motherland will inspire richer and more inclusive creative solutions for now and future generations. The first seven randomly selected countries are as follows.

Nigeria

Mostly known as the most populous African country and the 7th most populous in the entire world with over 210 million people, the West African nation is home to some of the most celebrated African movies.

Unknown to many, its local film industry, fondly known as Nollywood, has grown to become the second biggest in the world after India’s Bollywood in terms of production volume. Nigeria’s film industry produces an average of 2,500 films every year and is the 3rd most profitable in the world. Interest by global streaming platforms such as Netflix is only going to grow it further and inspire even more diverse content.

Source: UNESCO, Movie Web

Morocco

The North African country recently made rounds across the world for its exploits in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African or Arab country to reach the semi-finals of the global football showcase.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, it has about 70-75% of the world’s phosphate reserves, a rock used in the production of artificial fertilisers. According to the OCP, the country’s state-owned phosphates firm, it has a hand in about 31% of the substance’s international trade.

Source: DW, The Africa Report

Comoros

A volcanic archipelago located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, the nation is home to about 890 000 people. Also known as the “Perfume Isles,” the island nation is the world’s largest supplier of the ylang-ylang flower, producing around 80% of the plant.

The ylang-ylang flower is used to make fragrances and is a crucial ingredient in the world’s infamous Chanel No 5 perfume. 

Source: The BBC 

Uganda

The East African nation, nicknamed the “Pearl of Africa” for its beautiful landscape is home to close to 50 million people and almost of the same area size as the whole of the United Kingdom.

This landlocked African country doesn’t only have part of the second largest freshwater lake in the world, which is also the largest in Africa; Lake Victoria. It’s home to the UNESCO-listed Rwenzori Mountains, the tallest mountain range in Africa. Herein, you’ll also find the third highest mountain in Africa, Mount Margherita which stands at 5,109m.

Source: The Lonely Planet

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Formerly a Belgian colony, the Central African country is home to about 100 million people and the most populous officially Francophone country in the world.

Formerly known as Zaire, apart from its abundant and vast natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a subject of the discovery of Harpoon tips on the banks of its Semliki River. These barbed spears used in marine hunting are believed to be at least 90 000 years old and some of the earliest instruments ever sharpened by modern human beings using a material other than stone or wood.

Perhaps just one of the many pieces of evidence of Africa’s long-standing creativity and ingenuity.

Source: The Guardian

Zambia

The landlocked Southern African country has a population of close to 20 million. It infamously shares the majestic Victoria falls with neighbor, Zimbabwe.

Apart from holding the second largest copper reserves in Africa after the aforementioned DRC, Zambia is also renowned for another type of water fall. The Kalambo Falls which is 221m in height, is the second-highest single-drop waterfall in Africa after South Africa’s Tugela Falls.

It is also the 12th highest in the entire world.

Source: UNESCO

Libya

A North African nation rich in history and subjected to the rule of the Greek, Ottoman Empire, amongst others in times past. Libya has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa and the ninth largest in the world.

The largest hot desert in the world, Sahara, passes through the nation which happens to have a desert or semi-desert area of 90%.

Between 1977 to 2011, Libya had a plain green flag, the only ever single-color national flag in the world.

Source: Facts Institute

What’s your pick?

From the majestic falls, mountains, rich mineral resources, booming film industry and a history of ingenuity, which has been your favorite fun fact about the above countries?

Let us know in the comments which country you want to have featured in our next installment of this series. Alternatively you can email us at .