Top 10 Oldest Countries In Africa – See Ghana’s Position

Let’s take at the oldest countries in Africa. These countries were the first to gain independence on the continent. They include the following;

1. Libya

Libya gained independence from Italy on December 24, 1951, becoming the first African country to achieve independence after World War II. Its independence marked the end of Italian colonial rule, which had lasted for more than three decades.

2. Egypt

Egypt declared independence from British occupation on February 28, 1922, although it wasn’t until June 18, 1953, that it became a fully sovereign and independent nation. Egypt’s struggle for independence was a significant milestone in the decolonization of Africa.

3. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is unique among African nations as it was never formally colonized by a European power. It remained independent throughout the era of colonialism, with the exception of a brief period of Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Ethiopia’s independence dates back centuries, making it one of the oldest sovereign states in the world.

4. Liberia

Established by freed African-American slaves in the early 19th century, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, becoming the first independent republic in Africa. While Liberia’s history is complex, its independence marked a significant moment in the continent’s struggle against colonialism.

5. South Africa

South Africa gained independence from British colonial rule on May 31, 1910, with the establishment of the Union of South Africa. However, it’s important to note that apartheid policies continued to oppress the majority of the population until the end of apartheid in 1994.

6. Morocco

Morocco achieved independence from French and Spanish protectorates on March 2, 1956, following years of resistance and negotiation. Its independence marked the end of colonial rule and the beginning of a new era in Moroccan history.

7. Sudan

Sudan gained independence from joint British and Egyptian colonial rule on January 1, 1956, following decades of nationalist movements and struggles for self-determination. Its independence paved the way for the establishment of Africa’s largest country by land area.

8. Tunisia

Tunisia declared independence from French colonial rule on March 20, 1956, after years of anti-colonial resistance and political mobilization. Its independence marked the beginning of a new chapter in Tunisian history, characterized by nation-building and development.

9. Ghana

Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957. Led by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s independence inspired nationalist movements across the continent and signaled the end of colonial domination.

10. Guinea

Guinea achieved independence from French colonial rule on October 2, 1958, becoming the first French-speaking country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence. Led by Ahmed Sékou Touré, Guinea’s independence was a triumph of anti-colonial struggle and nationalist fervor.

These ten countries played pivotal roles in Africa’s quest for self-determination and independence, setting the stage for the decolonization movements that swept across the continent in the 20th century.