Unveiling the Smallest Country in Africa: A Hidden Gem!

Reviewed by Soliu.

The smallest country in Africa is Seychelles, an archipelago consisting of 115 islands nestled in the Indian Ocean. With its land area totaling only about 459 square kilometers, it’s a paradise of biodiversity, characterized by stunning beaches, unique wildlife, etc.

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, known for its vast landscapes, cultures, and nations. While Africa is home to some of the largest countries on the planet, it also contains several small countries, each with its unique history and culture. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 smallest countries in Africa, both in terms of land area and population. Let’s get started!

Top 10 Smallest Countries in Africa

1. Seychelles

Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa because of its land area of approximately 459 square kilometers, which is the least among all African countries. 

The country is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. Seychelles is known for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant marine life. It consists of an archipelago of 115 islands and has a total population of about 100,000 people.

2. São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Central Africa. It’s famous for its cocoa production and lush landscapes.

The country has a total land area of approximately 964 square kilometers, which is the second smallest in Africa. It has a total population of 219,000. 

3. Comoros

Comoros is a small island country located in the Indian Ocean, toward the eastern coast of Africa. With a total area of just 2,235 square kilometers, it is considered the third smallest country in Africa, after the Seychelles and São Tomé and Príncipe. 

Comoros is made up of four volcanic islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Moheli, and Mayotte. It’s known for its picturesque beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife. The country has a total population of over 900,000 people as of 2023.

4. Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)

Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. It’s not officially the smallest country in Africa, but it’s definitely tiny, with a total area of just 4,033 square kilometers (1,557 square miles). 

Cape Verde is known for its beautiful beaches, fishing villages, and Portuguese colonial architecture. It’s also a popular destination for water sports like scuba diving and windsurfing.

Population: Over 544,000

5. Mauritius

Although it’s not the smallest country in Africa, it’s definitely one of the smallest, with a total land area of just 2,040 square kilometers (787 square miles). 

Mauritius is a volcanic island nation located in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of Madagascar. It’s known for its stunning beaches, lush vegetation, multicultural population, and thriving tourism industry. 

The capital city, Port Louis, is a popular tourist destination, and the country is also home to the famous Dodo, a flightless bird that’s now extinct. The country has a total population of over 1.2 million people.

6. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Eswatini has a total land area of 17,364 square kilometers (6,704 square miles). It is a landlocked country in the Southern part of Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. 

The country was formerly known as Swaziland, but it officially changed its name to Eswatini in 2018. It has a total population of 1.3 million people. Eswatini’s official languages are Swazi and English.

7. Djibouti

With an approximate land area of 23,200 square kilometers and a total population of over 1 million, Djibouti is one of the least populated countries in Africa.

Djibouti is a small nation located in the Horn of Africa at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. It is strategically important due to its location and proximity to vital shipping lanes.

8. The Gambia

The Gambia is another one of the smallest countries in Africa, with a total land area of just 11,300 square kilometers (4,361 square miles). 

It is located on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Senegal on all sides except for a short stretch of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia is often regarded as “the smiling coast of Africa,” thanks to its warm and welcoming people. 

The country is known for its lush forests, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees and hippos. The capital, Banjul, is a popular tourist destination.

Population: Around 2.4 million

9. Lesotho

Lesotho is another country on this list of the smallest country in Africa. Lesotho is sometimes regarded as “the Kingdom in the Sky.” It’s the only country in the world that is surrounded by another country – South Africa. 

Lesotho is landlocked, with a total area of just 30,355 square kilometers (11,720 square miles). The country is known for its mountainous terrain, with some of the highest peaks in Southern Africa. 

It is also home to the Katse Dam, one of the largest dams in Africa. Lesotho’s population is just over 2 million, and the capital, Maseru, is a modern city with a lively culture.

10. Burundi

Burundi is often regarded as “the heart of Africa” because of its location in the center of the continent. The country has been through a lot of turmoil in its history, including ethnic conflict and civil war, but it has made great strides in recent years. 

Burundi is also a landlocked country in East Africa, located to the south of Rwanda. It is bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.

The population is about 11.5 million, and it has a land area of approximately 27,834 square kilometers.

What is the smallest country in Africa by population?

Seychelles has a total population of about 100,000 people, which is the smallest among countries in Africa; that makes it the smallest country in Africa by population. 

São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde come second and third with a total population of 217,000 and 544,000, respectively. 

What is the smallest country in Africa by Area?

The smallest country in Africa by land area is Seychelles. Its land area is approximately 459 square kilometers, making it the smallest African country in terms of land size. 

São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde come second and third with a land area of 964 and 2,235 square kilometers, respectively. 

What is the largest country in Africa?

The largest country in Africa by land area is Algeria. Algeria is located in North Africa and covers a vast expanse of territory in the Maghreb and Saharan regions. 

Algeria has a land area of approximately 2.38 million square kilometers, making it the largest country on the African continent.

What is the largest country in Africa by population? 

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa by population. Nigeria, located in West Africa, is home to a diverse and rapidly growing population. At that time, Nigeria had an estimated population of over 206 million people, making it not only the most populous country in Africa but also one of the most populous countries in the world.

What is the Largest Country in Africa by Land Area 

The largest country in Africa by land area is Algeria. It is located in the Northern part of Africa. It is known for its vast and diverse landscapes, including portions of the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, and extensive stretches of desert and semi-arid regions. Algeria’s land area is approximately 2.38 million square kilometers, making it the largest country not only in Africa but also in the entire Arab world and one of the largest countries in the world by land area.

What is an Archipelago?

An archipelago is a group of islands scattered in a body of water. Sometimes, an archipelago can be formed from a single landmass that’s fractured, or it can be made up of islands that are close together or far apart. 

Some well-known archipelagos include the Indonesian archipelago, the Philippines, and the Caribbean archipelago. The word “archipelago” comes from the Greek words “archi,” meaning “chief,” and “pelagos,” meaning “sea.”