The official population count of the various ethnic groups in Africa has in some instances been controversial because certain groups believe populations are fixed to give other ethnicities numerical superiority (as in the case of Nigeria's Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo people).[1][2][3] The following ethnic groups number 10 million people or more:
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Aka |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Aka |
Central/Northern |
Western Central African Republic, Northwest Congo |
|
The Aka are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Baka |
Pygmy |
Baka |
Central/Northern |
Western Equatoria in South Sudan |
0.25 |
There is also another ethnic group called Baka living across West Africa. |
Banda |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Banda language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Chewa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chichewa |
Central/Southern |
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
9 |
|
Chokwe |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chokwe |
Central |
Angola, Congo (Kinshasa), Zambia |
1.1 |
|
Efé |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Efe |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Efe are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Gbaya |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Gbaya language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Kongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Republic of the Congo |
10 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Lingala |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Lingala |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Angola, Central African Republic |
|
|
Luba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luba-Kasai, Luba-Katanga |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
13 |
|
Kotoko |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Lagwan |
Chad Basin |
Cameroon, Chad |
< 1 |
|
Mbunda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mbúùnda, Chimbúùnda, Mpuun |
Central |
Angola, Zambia |
0.5 |
|
Mbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kimbundu |
Central |
Angola |
2.4 |
|
Moghamo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Moghamo |
Central/West |
Cameroon, Southern Cameroons |
0.018 |
|
Mongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
12 |
|
Ngamambo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Ngamambo |
Central/West |
Cameroon, Southern Cameroons |
0.011 |
|
Ovimbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Umbundu |
Central |
Angola |
4.6 |
|
Sara |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Sara |
Chad Basin |
Chad,[6] Cameroon,[9] Central African Republic[10] |
3.5 |
|
Sua |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Sua |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Sua are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Zande |
Niger–Congo, Ubangian |
Zande |
Chad Basin |
South Sudan,[11] Central African Republic[8] |
1-4 |
|
Zaghawa |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Saharan |
Zaghawa |
Chad Basin |
Chad, Sudan |
< 1 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Alur |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Alur |
East/Central |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
|
Anuak |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Anuak |
Southeast/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Acholi |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Acholi |
East |
Uganda, South Sudan |
|
|
Banyoro |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Nyoro (Runyakitara) |
East |
Uganda |
1.4 |
|
Chagga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Bantu |
Kilimanjaro |
Tanzania |
8 |
|
Dinka |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Dinka language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
5 |
|
Ganda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ganda |
East |
Uganda |
3 |
|
Langi |
|Lango |
East |
Uganda |
|
|
Hutu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo |
16 |
|
Kamba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kamba |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Kalenjin |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Highland |
Kalenjin |
East |
Kenya |
3 |
|
Kikuyu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Gikuyu |
East |
Kenya |
5.3 |
|
Kwama |
Nilo-Saharan |
Kwama |
East/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Lugbara people |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Lugbara |
East |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
11 |
|
Luo |
Nilo-Saharan, Luo, River-Lake |
Luo |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Luhya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luhya |
East |
Kenya |
5.4 |
|
Maasai |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Maasai |
East |
Kenya, Tanzania |
0.9 |
|
Makonde |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makonde |
Southeast |
Tanzania, Mozambique |
1.3 |
|
Ameru |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Meru |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Nuer |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Nuer language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
3 |
|
Samburu |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Samburu |
East |
Kenya |
0.1 |
|
Shilluk |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Luo |
Shilluk language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
1.5 |
|
Swahili |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Swahili |
East |
Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique |
0.1 |
|
Tutsi |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
3 |
|
Great Lakes Twa (Batwa) |
Pygmy |
Rundi, Kiga |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
0.8 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Afrikaner |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa, Namibia |
3.5 |
|
San (Bushmen) |
Khoisan |
Khoisan |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola |
0.09 |
|
Ambo (Ovambo, Owambo) |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ovambo |
South |
Namibia |
0.9 |
|
Bemba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Bemba language |
South |
Zambia |
5.0 |
|
Cape Coloured |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa |
4.7 |
|
Herero |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Herero |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.2 |
|
Wayeyi |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shiyeyi |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.3 |
|
Himba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Otjihimbo (Herero dialect) |
South |
Namibia |
0.05 |
|
Goffal |
Indo-European |
Zimbabwean English |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.03 |
|
Kalanga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
Khoikhoi |
Khoisan |
Khoekhoegowab |
South |
|
- |
|
Makua |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makua |
South/East |
Mozambique, Tanzania |
1.1 |
|
Nambya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
North Ndebele |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Sindebele |
South |
Zimbabwe |
1.5 |
|
South Ndebele |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Southern Ndebele |
South |
South Africa |
0.7 |
|
Shona |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Mozambique, Zimbabwe |
10.6 |
|
Sotho |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Sotho |
South |
Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe (Gwanda District) |
5.3 |
|
Swazi |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique |
3.5 |
|
Tonga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe, Zambia |
2 |
|
Tsonga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts) |
5.5 |
|
Tswana |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tswana |
South |
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe |
4.5 |
|
Venda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Venda |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe |
1 |
|
Xhosa |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Xhosa |
South |
South Africa |
7.9 |
|
Zulu |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Zulu |
South |
South Africa |
10.6 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Akan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Akan |
West |
South Ghana, Ivory Coast |
20 |
An ethnic group of related sub-groups. The largest subgroups are the Ashanti and the Fante |
Aku |
(Creole) |
Aku |
West |
Gambia |
0.01 |
|
Baka |
Niger Congo, Ubangian |
Baka |
West/Central |
Southeastern Cameroon, Northern Congo, Northern Gabon |
0.3-0.4 |
The Baka are also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, or Bibaya, or (along with the other Mbenga peoples) the derogatory Babinga. |
Bambara |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Bambara |
West |
Mali |
3 |
|
Basaa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Basaa |
West |
Cameroon |
0.2 |
|
Bassa |
Niger–Congo, Kru |
Bassa |
West |
Liberia |
0.3 |
|
Beti-Pahuin |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ewondo, Fang, Bulu |
West |
Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe |
3.3 |
group of 20 sub-ethnicities |
Biafada |
Niger–Congo |
Biafada |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.04 |
|
Mole-Dagbani |
Niger–Congo, Gur |
Dagbani |
West |
Ghana, Burkina Faso |
8.6 |
Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba, Mossi, Gurma |
Dendi |
Niger–Congo |
Dendi |
West |
Benin |
0.1 |
|
Edo (also called Bini or Benin) |
Niger–Congo, Edo |
Edo |
West |
Nigeria |
1.6 |
|
Efik |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Ibibio-Efik |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon, Southern Cameroons |
0.5 |
|
Eket |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Eket (Ibibio dialect) |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon, Southern Cameroons |
0.3 |
|
Esan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Esan |
West |
Nigeria |
0.5 |
|
Ewe |
Niger–Congo, Gbe |
Ewe |
West |
Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Volta Region (British Togoland), Togoland |
4.8 |
|
Fon |
Niger–Congo |
Fon |
West |
Benin, Nigeria |
3.5 |
|
Fulani |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Fula |
West |
Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Chad, Mauritania, Sudan, Togo, Ivory Coast |
27 |
|
Ga |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Ga, Ga-Adangme |
West |
Togo, Greater Accra |
2 |
|
Gwari |
|
|
West |
Nigeria |
1 |
|
Hausa |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Hausa |
West/Northern |
Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan |
30-35 |
|
Igbo (Ibo) |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Igbo |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea |
c. 30[13] |
Includes various subgroups. |
Ijaw |
Niger–Congo, Ijoid |
Ijaw |
West |
Nigeria |
14[4] |
Sub-groups include Andoni, Ibani, Kalabari, Nembe, Ogbia and Okrika. |
Jola |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Jola, Kriol |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.5 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Mandé |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mandingo |
West/Central |
The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Chad |
13 |
|
Marka |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Marka |
West/Northern |
Mali |
0.4 |
|
Mende |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mende |
West |
Sierra-Leone |
2 |
|
Papel |
Niger–Congo |
Papel |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.1 |
|
Serer |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Serer, Cangin |
West |
Found mostly in Senegal and The Gambia. Small number in Mauritania. Also found in the West. |
1.9[14][15] |
The Serer people include: Serer-Sine, Serer-Safene, Serer-Ndut, Serer-Palor, Serer-Niominka, Serer-Laalaa, Serer-Noon. Apart from the Serer-Sine, they speak Cangin languages rather than Serer. |
Songhai[5] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Songhai |
West |
Mali |
5 |
|
Tiv |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tiv |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
2 |
|
Urhobo |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Urhobo |
West |
Nigeria |
1-1.5 |
|
Wolof |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Wolof |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania |
4 |
|
Yoruba |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Yoruba |
West |
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast[16] Sierra Leone[17] |
38 |
|
Zarma[5][18] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Zarma |
West |
Niger |
5 |
|