History of Africa in Timeline
Africa, the second-largest and second-most populous continent, comprises 20% of Earth's land area and houses approximately 18% of the global population, nearly 1.4 billion people as of 2021. It has the youngest population, with a median age of 19.7 in 2012. Projections estimate a population of 3.8 billion by 2099. Despite being the least wealthy inhabited continent per capita, its recent economic growth and young population make it a significant economic market. Africa is rich in natural resources, including diamonds, gold, petroleum, and various minerals and agricultural products.
1914: Peak of European Colonization
By 1914, almost 90% of the African continent was under European control, with only a few states retaining sovereignty.
1922: Highest Recorded Temperature
In 1922, the record for the highest-ever recorded temperature (58 °C (136 °F)) was recorded in Libya.
1950: African Population Size
In 1950, the total number of people in Africa was 229 million.
1951: Libya Gained Independence
In 1951, Libya, a former Italian colony, gained independence.
1955: Start of First Sudanese Civil War
In 1955, the first Sudanese civil war began, lasting until 1972.
1956: Apartheid System
From 1956, South Africa was governed by a system of racial segregation known as apartheid.
March 1957: Ghana's Independence
In March 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan colony to be granted independence.
1960: Year of Africa
1960 is known as the "Year of Africa" due to the waves of decolonization that took place across the continent.
1963: Establishment of the Organisation of African Unity
In 1963, the Organisation of African Unity was established.
1965: Rhodesia Declares Independence
In 1965, Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom.
1972: End of First Sudanese Civil War
In 1972, the First Sudanese Civil War ended.
1973: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
In 1973, the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa was less poor than in 2003, indicating increasing poverty in some areas.
1975: Return of Colonials to Portugal
Between 1975 and 1977, over a million colonials returned to Portugal.
1975: End of Portuguese Colonial Rule
In 1975, Portugal's overseas presence in sub-Saharan Africa ended after the Estado Novo regime was overthrown.
1977: Return of Colonials to Portugal
Between 1975 and 1977, over a million colonials returned to Portugal.
1980: Zimbabwe's internationally recognized independence
In 1980, Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe, gaining internationally recognition as an independent state, after black nationalists gained power.
1981: Berber Origin of Africa Name Hypothesis
In 1981, a hypothesis suggested that the name "Africa" stems from the Berber word 'ifri' (cave), referencing cave dwellers.
1981: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
In 1981, approximately 50% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa was living in poverty which translated to about 200 million people.
1983: Ethiopian Famine Begins
In 1983, a major famine began in Ethiopia, lasting until 1985 and killing up to 1.2 million people.
1983: Start of Second Sudanese Civil War
In 1983, the Second Sudanese Civil War started, continuing until 2005.
1985: Ethiopian Famine Ends
The major famine in Ethiopia, which started in 1983, ended in 1985 after killing up to 1.2 million people.
1990: Trend Towards Democratic Governance
Between 1990 and 2018, the African continent has generally trended towards more democratic governance.
1990: African Population Size
In 1990, the total number of people in Africa was 630 million.
1994: End of Apartheid in South Africa
In 1994, South Africa transitioned away from apartheid.
1994: Rwandan Genocide
In 1994, a genocide in Rwanda resulted in up to 800,000 deaths.
1995: South Africa Won the Rugby World Cup
In 1995, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.
1995: Increased Economic Growth
Starting in 1995, Africa's rate of economic growth increased.
1996: Increase in Poverty
In 1996, the population in Sub-Saharan Africa living in poverty rose to 58%.
October 1997: Kenya Gained ODI Status
From October 10, 1997, Kenya had One-Day International cricket (ODI) status.
2000: Africa Surpassed the Americas in Population
Around the year 2000, the total population of Africa surpassed the Americas.
2000: Increase in Foreign Investment
Between 2000 and 2014, improved stability and economic reforms led to a great increase in foreign investment into many African nations.
2000: Madagascar forest destruction
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 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, consisting of 55 member states.
July 2002: Official Establishment of the African Union
On July 9, 2002, the African Union was officially established as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
2002: End of Civil Wars in Several Countries
In 2002, civil wars ended in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Algeria.
2003: UN Human Development Report
According to the United Nations' Human Development Report in 2003, the bottom 24 ranked nations (151st to 175th) were all African, highlighting the continent's poverty.
2003: Cricket World Cup Hosted by African Countries
In 2003, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup.
2003: Sub-Saharan Africa Poverty
In 2003, the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa lived on only 70 cents per day and was poorer than in 1973.
2003: End of Civil War in Liberia and Second Congo War
In 2003, the civil war ended in Liberia. Also in 2003, the Second Congo War, which involved 9 countries and several insurgent groups, ended.
2003: Start of Darfur Conflict
In 2003, the ongoing conflict in Darfur (Sudan) began.
July 2004: Relocation of Pan-African Parliament
In July 2004, the African Union's Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was relocated to Midrand, South Africa, while the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights remained in Addis Ababa.
2005: Average 5% Economic Growth
In 2005, Africa's rate of economic growth averaged 5%, with higher rates in some countries due to petroleum extraction.
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, compared with 86% for India.
2005: End of Civil Wars in Sudan and Burundi
In 2005, civil wars ended in Sudan and Burundi.
2005: Poverty decreases to 50%
In 2005, poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa decreased to 50% which translated to about 380 million people.
2005: End of Second Sudanese Civil War
In 2005, the Second Sudanese Civil War ended.
2005: Resolution of Debt Crisis
In 2005, the last debt crisis in sub-Saharan Africa was resolved with help from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) scheme.
2005: Peak Intensity of Darfur Conflict
The conflict in Darfur peaked in intensity from 2003 to 2005, killing around 300,000 people total.
2007: Chinese Investment in Africa
In 2007, Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa, demonstrating strengthening ties.
2007: South Africa Won 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.
August 2008: World Bank Revises Poverty Estimates
In August 2008, the World Bank announced revised global poverty estimates, setting the new international poverty line at $1.25 per day.
2008: Food Security Crisis
In 2008, the food security crisis, following the global financial crisis, pushed 100 million people in Africa into food insecurity.
2009: Start of Boko Haram Insurgency
Since 2009, the Boko Haram Insurgency primarily within Nigeria has killed around 350,000 people.
2010: South Africa Hosts World Cup
In 2010, South Africa hosted the World Cup tournament, becoming the first African country to do so.
2011: Zambia's Debt Re-emergence
Around 2011, Zambia fell back into debt due to falling copper prices and mismanagement of borrowed funds.
2011: HIV/AIDS Statistics
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.
2012: Africa's Young Population
In 2012, Africa's median age was 19.7 years, significantly younger than the worldwide median age of 30.4, highlighting the continent's youthful demographic.
2013: Violence Spike in Darfur Conflict
From 2013-2015, there was a notable spike in violence in Darfur.
2013: Discrediting of Temperature Record
In 2013, the record for the highest-ever recorded temperature in Libya in 1922 was discredited.
January 2014: Kenya lost ODI Status
Until January 30, 2014, Kenya had One-Day International cricket (ODI) status.
2014: Slowdown in Economic Growth
Since 2014, overall economic growth in Africa has considerably slowed, primarily due to falling commodity prices, lack of industrialization, and epidemics.
2015: Sub-Saharan Africa GDP
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: Study on African Democracies
According to a study by Lührmann et al. in 2018, only Botswana and Mauritius have been consistently democratic for the entirety of their post-colonial history.
2018: Fertility Rate
As of 2018, the total fertility rate (children per woman) for Sub-Saharan Africa is 4.7, the highest in the world.
2019: Above Replacement Fertility Rate
In 2019 all the countries in sub-Saharan Africa had total fertility rates (TFRs) (average number of children) above replacement level and accounted for 27.1% of global livebirths.
2019: South Africa Won the Rugby World Cup
In 2019, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.
2020: Start of Tigray War
From 2020, the Tigray War killed an estimated 300,000–500,000 people, primarily due to famine.
2021: African Population Size
As of 2021, the population of Africa is estimated at 1.4 billion.
2021: Global Births
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.
March 2023: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
As of March 2023, 98 African properties are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites and the List Of World Heritage in Danger includes 15 African sites.
2023: South Africa Won the Rugby World Cup
In 2023, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup.
2024: GDP Projections
As of 2024, IMF and World Bank project peak levels of GDP (nominal) and (Purchasing Power Parity) for several African countries.
2024: Africa Population Projection
Based on projections in 2024, Africa's population is expected to reach 3.8 billion people by 2099.
2050: Projected Births
It is expected that by 2050, births in Africa compared to the rest of the world will be approximately 37%.
2055: Formation of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt
In 2055 BC, the 11th dynasty, based in Thebes, conquered the others to form the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.
2099: Projected Population
By 2099, Africa's population is projected to reach 3.8 billion people, according to 2024 projections.
