History of Africa in Timeline

Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent, home to approximately 1.4 billion people as of 2021, representing about 18% of the global population. Its population is notably young, with a median age significantly lower than the global average. While Africa is the least wealthy inhabited continent per capita, its substantial natural resources, recent economic growth, and large, youthful population position it as a key economic market. Factors such as geography, climate, corruption, colonialism, the Cold War, and neocolonialism have been cited as contributors to its lower wealth concentration. Projections indicate Africa's population will exceed 3.8 billion by 2100.

December 1905: First indigenous African cinema screening

In December 1905, Albert Samama Chikly, considered the first producer of indigenous African cinema, screened his short documentaries in the casino of Tunis.

1914: European Control in Africa

By 1914, almost 90% of the African continent was formally under European control.

1922: Record High Temperature

In 1922, the record for the highest-ever recorded temperature, in Libya, was set at 58 °C (136 °F).

1950: Population of Africa

In 1950, the population of Africa was 229 million.

1951: Libya Gains Independence

In 1951, Libya, a former Italian colony, achieved its independence.

1955: Start of the First Sudanese Civil War

In 1955, the first civil war in Sudan began, lasting until 1972.

1956: South Africa's Apartheid System

From 1956, South Africa implemented a system of racial segregation known as apartheid.

1956: Independence of Tunisia and Morocco

In 1956, Tunisia and Morocco gained independence from France.

March 1957: Ghana's Independence

In March 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan colony to be granted independence.

1960: Year of Africa

The year 1960 is known as the Year of Africa, marked by waves of decolonization across the continent.

1963: Establishment of the Organisation of African Unity

In 1963, the Organisation of African Unity was established.

1964: Organisation of African Unity Conference

In 1964, at the Organisation of African Unity conference, newly independent African colonies decided to maintain their colonial borders to avoid civil wars and regional instability, emphasizing pan-Africanism.

1965: Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence

In 1965, Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom.

1967: Che Guevara's opinion on African revolution

In 1967, Che Guevara opined that Africa was not ready for revolution after participating in the Simba Rebellion in Congo.

1972: Expulsion of Indians from Uganda

In 1972, the dictator Idi Amin expelled the large Indian community in Uganda, though many have since returned.

1972: End of the First Sudanese Civil War

In 1972, the first civil war in Sudan ended.

1973: Poverty levels in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2003, the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa was estimated to live on only 70 cents per day, being poorer than in 1973.

1974: Marxism–Leninism in Africa before Portugal's Carnation Revolution

Before Portugal's 1974 Carnation Revolution, Marxism–Leninism was fashionable in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.

1975: Mass emigration of white settlers

Between 1975 and 1977, over a million colonials returned to Portugal.

1975: End of Portuguese Overseas Presence

In 1975, Portugal's overseas presence in sub-Saharan Africa ended after a military coup in Lisbon.

1977: Mass emigration of white settlers

Between 1975 and 1977, over a million colonials returned to Portugal.

1980: Zimbabwe's Independence

In 1980, Rhodesia was internationally recognized as an independent state (Zimbabwe).

1981: Berber Origin Hypothesis

In 1981, a hypothesis suggested that the name 'Africa' stems from the Berber word 'ifri' meaning 'cave', referring to cave dwellers.

1981: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 1981, some 50% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 200 million people, were living in poverty.

1983: Ethiopian Famine

Between 1983 and 1985, a major famine occurred in Ethiopia.

1983: Start of the Second Sudanese Civil War

In 1983, the second civil war in Sudan began, lasting until 2005.

1985: Ethiopian Famine

Between 1983 and 1985, a major famine occurred in Ethiopia.

1990: Trend Towards Democratic Governance

Between 1990 and 2018, Africa as a whole trended towards more democratic governance.

1990: Military Marxism

Even after 1990, there were examples of Military Marxism, such as a militia established by Ernest Wamba-dia-Wamba in Eastern Congo in the 1990s.

1990: Population of Africa

In 1990, the population of Africa was 630 million.

1990: Limited Economic Development

Prior to 1990, only a small number of African countries, such as Libya and Equatorial Guinea, achieved rapid economic growth.

1994: Rwandan Genocide

In 1994, a genocide in Rwanda resulted in up to 800,000 deaths.

1994: End of Apartheid in South Africa

In 1994, the apartheid system ended in South Africa.

1995: Increased economic growth in Africa

From 1995, Africa's rate of economic growth increased.

1995: South Africa wins the Rugby World Cup

In 1995, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.

1996: Increase in poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 1996, poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa rose to 58%.

October 1997: Kenya gains ODI status

On October 10, 1997, Kenya gained One-Day International cricket (ODI) status.

2000: African Population Surpasses the Americas

Around the year 2000, the African population surpassed the Americas in size.

2000: Increased Foreign Investment

Between 2000 and 2014, there was a great increase in foreign investment into many African nations, mainly from China.

2000: Deforestation in Madagascar

Since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago, over 90% of Madagascar's original forests have been destroyed.

June 2001: Formation of the African Union

On June 26, 2001, the African Union (AU) was formed with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as its headquarters. The AU consists of 55 member states.

2001: Climate change and public health incidents

In 2001, climate change was connected to over half of the recorded public health incidents in Africa. Climate change intensified existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities, impacting health outcomes and resource scarcity.

July 2002: Official establishment of the African Union

On July 9, 2002, the African Union (AU) was officially established as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

2002: Morocco hosts the Morocco Cup

In 2002, Morocco hosted the Morocco Cup, though the national team has never qualified for a major tournament.

2002: End of Civil Wars

In 2002, civil wars ended in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Algeria.

2002: African Union replaces OAU

In 2002, the African Union replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

2003: UN Human Development Report findings

According to the United Nations' Human Development Report in 2003, the bottom 24 ranked nations (151st to 175th) were all African.

2003: 2003 Cricket World Cup hosted by African nations

In 2003, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup.

2003: End of Civil Wars and the Second Congo War

In 2003, the Second Congo War ended and the civil war in Liberia concluded.

2003: Poverty levels in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2003, the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa was estimated to live on only 70 cents per day, being poorer than in 1973.

2003: Start of Darfur Conflict

In 2003, the ongoing conflict in Darfur (Sudan) began.

July 2004: Relocation of the Pan-African Parliament

In July 2004, the African Union's Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was relocated to Midrand, South Africa.

2005: Africa's economic growth

In 2005, Africa's rate of economic growth averaged 5%.

2005: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2005, Eighty-one percent of the sub-Saharan African population was living on less than $2.50 (PPP) per day.

2005: End of Civil Wars in Sudan and Burundi

In 2005, civil wars ended in Sudan and Burundi.

2005: End of the Second Sudanese Civil War

In 2005, the second civil war in Sudan ended.

2005: Debt crisis resolution in Africa

The 2005 debt crisis in sub-Saharan Africa was resolved with help from the heavily indebted poor countries scheme (HIPC).

2005: Peak Intensity of Darfur Conflict

The conflict in Darfur (Sudan) peaked in intensity from 2003 to 2005.

2007: Chinese investment in Africa

In 2007, Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa.

2007: South Africa wins the Rugby World Cup

In 2007, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.

2007: Violence Spike in Darfur Conflict

In 2007, there was a notable spike in violence in Darfur (Sudan).

August 2008: World Bank revised global poverty estimates

In August 2008, the World Bank announced revised global poverty estimates based on a new international poverty line of $1.25 per day.

2008: Food security crisis in Africa

In 2008, the food security crisis pushed 100 million people in Africa into food insecurity.

2009: Start of Boko Haram Insurgency

Since 2009, the Boko Haram Insurgency, primarily in Nigeria, has resulted in many deaths.

2010: South Africa hosts the FIFA World Cup

In 2010, South Africa hosted the World Cup tournament, becoming the first African country to do so.

2011: AIDS statistics in Africa

In 2011, Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for an estimated 69 percent of all people living with HIV and 70 percent of all AIDS deaths.

2011: Zambia's return to debt

In 2011, Zambia fell back into debt, partially due to the fall in copper prices.

2012: Median Age in Africa

In 2012, the median age in Africa was 19.7, significantly lower than the worldwide median age of 30.4.

2013: Violence Spike in Darfur Conflict

Between 2013 and 2015, there was a notable spike in violence in Darfur (Sudan).

2013: Discrediting of Temperature Record

In 2013, the record for the highest-ever recorded temperature, set in Libya in 1922, was discredited.

January 2014: Kenya loses ODI status

On January 30, 2014, Kenya lost One-Day International cricket (ODI) status.

2014: Slowed Economic Growth

Since 2014, overall economic growth in Africa has considerably slowed.

2015: GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa

Between 2000 and 2014, annual GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa averaged 5.02%, doubling its total GDP from $811 billion to $1.63 trillion (constant 2015 USD).

2018: Democracy Assessment in Africa

According to Lührmann et al. (2018), only Botswana and Mauritius have maintained consistent democratic governments throughout their post-colonial history.

2018: Fertility rate in Sub-Saharan Africa

As of 2018, the total fertility rate (children per woman) for Sub-Saharan Africa is 4.7, the highest in the world.

2018: Study on the epipalaeolithic Taforalt remains from Morocco

In reference to the van de Loosdrecht et al. 2018 study on the epipalaeolithic Taforalt remains from Morocco, which identified the EM35 (primarily EM78) common in north-eastern Africa but characterised the mtDNA (female lineage haplogroups) of U6 and M1 as 'Eurasian'.

2019: South Africa wins the Rugby World Cup

In 2019, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.

2019: Fertility rates in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2019, all countries in sub-Saharan Africa had total fertility rates (average number of children) above replacement level and accounted for 27.1% of global livebirths.

2020: Start of Tigray War

From 2020 to 2022, the Tigray War resulted in a significant number of deaths, primarily due to famine.

2021: Population of Africa

As of 2021, the population of Africa is estimated at 1.4 billion.

2021: Africa's Population

In 2021, Africa's population was nearly 1.4 billion people, accounting for about 18% of the world's human population.

2021: Climate change and public health incidents

In 2021, climate change was connected to over half of the recorded public health incidents in Africa. Climate change intensified existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities, impacting health outcomes and resource scarcity.

2021: Births in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 29% of global births.

2022: Reduction of African Conflicts

As of 2022, most African conflicts have been reduced to low-intensity conflicts.

2022: Morocco reaches FIFA World Cup semi-finals

In 2022, at the World Cup in Qatar, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Men's World Cup.

March 2023: UNESCO lists African World Heritage Sites

As of March 2023, UNESCO listed 98 African properties as World Heritage Sites, with 54 cultural, 39 natural, and 5 mixed sites. The List of World Heritage in Danger included 15 African sites.

2023: South Africa wins the Rugby World Cup

In 2023, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.

2024: Projected Population in Africa

Based on 2024 projections, Africa's population is expected to exceed 3.8 billion people by 2100.

2025: Sovereign Countries in Africa

As of 2025, Africa has 54 sovereign countries.

2025: Genetic haplogroups in North African genome studies

David Schoenbrun, Christopher Ehret, Steven A. Brandt and Shomarka Keita (2025) have highlighted the problematic categorisation of genetic haplogroups characterised as ‘African’ and ‘Eurasian' in North African genome studies.

2025: Projected GDP in Africa

In 2025, the projected nominal GDP and GDP per capita (at purchasing power parity) by the IMF will be available.

2050: Projected number of babies born in Africa

It is expected that approximately 37% of babies born in the world will be born in Africa in the year 2050.

2055: Formation of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt

Around 2055 BC, the 11th dynasty, based in Thebes, conquered the others to form the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.

Mentioned in this timeline

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