Africa is the second largest continent globally, encompassing 20% of Earth's land and 6% of its total surface area. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it represents 18% of the global population, making it the second most populous continent. Notably, Africa has the youngest population among all continents. Despite abundant natural resources, it remains the least wealthy continent per capita and second-least wealthy overall. Factors attributed to this include geographical and climatic challenges, governance issues, historical exploitation, and global economic dynamics. Nevertheless, recent economic growth and a young population position Africa as a significant player in the international market.
1914: The Scramble for Africa
By 1914, the "Scramble for Africa" had resulted in nearly 90% of the continent being under European control, leaving only Liberia and Ethiopia fully independent.
1950: Population at 229 Million
Africa's population stood at 229 million in 1950.
1956: Apartheid in South Africa
South Africa, despite gaining independence earlier, implemented the system of racial segregation known as apartheid in 1956.
March 1957: Ghanaian Independence
In March 1957, Ghana gained its independence from Great Britain, becoming the first sub-Saharan African colony to do so.
1960: The Year of Africa
The year 1960 was a pivotal moment in African history, marked by a wave of decolonization across the continent.
1963: Establishment of the Organisation of African Unity
The Organisation of African Unity, the predecessor to the African Union, was founded in 1963.
1964: Organisation of African Unity and Colonial Borders
In 1964, during the Organisation of African Unity conference, African nations chose to retain their colonial borders to prevent internal conflicts and maintain regional stability.
1965: Rhodesian Unilateral Declaration of Independence
In 1965, Rhodesia, under the white minority rule of Ian Smith, issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom.
1973: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
Studies indicated that the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa was poorer in 2003 than in 1973, suggesting that poverty had worsened in certain areas despite various initiatives.
1975: End of Portuguese Presence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Portugal's colonial presence in sub-Saharan Africa ended in 1975 following a military coup in Lisbon that overthrew the Estado Novo regime.
1975: Start of Mass Emigration of Colonials
The period between 1975 and 1977 witnessed a significant return of colonials to Portugal, with over a million returning, reflecting the impact of decolonization movements.
1977: End of Mass Emigration of Colonials
The period between 1975 and 1977 witnessed a significant return of colonials to Portugal, with over a million returning, reflecting the impact of decolonization movements.
1980: Zimbabwean Independence
Rhodesia finally gained international recognition as an independent state under the name Zimbabwe in 1980, after black nationalists came to power following a protracted guerrilla war.
1981: New Hypothesis for the Origin of "Africa"
In 1981, a new theory emerged suggesting that the name "Africa" might be derived from the Berber word "ifri", meaning "cave", potentially referring to early cave dwellers.
1981: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
In 1981, about 50% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to 200 million people, lived in poverty.
1983: Ethiopian Famine
A devastating famine struck Ethiopia in 1983, largely attributed to government policies and exacerbated by civil war, leading to a massive loss of life.
1985: End of the Ethiopian Famine
The devastating famine that had gripped Ethiopia for two years came to an end in 1985, leaving a lasting impact on the nation.
1990: Population at 630 Million, Surpassing Europe
Africa's population reached 630 million by 1990, marking a significant increase and surpassing Europe's population.
1990: Start of Trend Towards Democratic Governance in Africa
Between 1990 and 2018, Africa experienced a noticeable shift towards more democratic forms of governance.
1990: Post-Independence Africa
Following independence, many African nations grappled with poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure due to colonial rule. While a few nations like Libya and Equatorial Guinea experienced growth due to oil reserves, others, including stable countries like Kenya, saw slow economic progress.
1994: End of Apartheid in South Africa
Apartheid in South Africa officially ended in 1994.
1994: Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide, a horrific event in 1994, resulted in the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of people, creating a refugee crisis and contributing to regional instability.
1995: Start of Economic Growth
From 1995 onwards, Africa experienced an increase in its economic growth rate.
1995: South Africa Wins Rugby World Cup
In 1995, South Africa won its first Rugby World Cup.
1996: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
The poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 58% in 1996, indicating a rise in the number of people living below the poverty line.
October 1997: Kenya Gains ODI Status
Kenya achieved One-Day International cricket (ODI) status on October 10, 1997, marking a significant step forward for cricket in the country.
2000: Surpassing the Americas' Population
Around 2000, Africa's population overtook that of the Americas, demonstrating its continued rapid growth.
2000: Deforestation and Environmental Degradation in Africa
By the year 2000, deforestation and environmental degradation had taken a severe toll on Africa's landscapes. The arrival of humans approximately 2000 years ago had led to the destruction of over 90% of Madagascar's original forests, highlighting the impact of human activities on the environment.
2000: Increased Foreign Investment and Economic Growth in Africa
The turn of the millennium saw a surge in foreign investment in Africa, particularly from China, contributing to significant economic expansion across the continent.
June 2001: Formation of the African Union
The African Union (AU), a continental organization aimed at promoting unity and cooperation among African nations, was formally established in June 2001, with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as its headquarters.
July 2002: African Union Succeeds the OAU
In July 2002, the African Union officially replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), marking a significant step in the evolution of pan-Africanism and regional integration.
2002: Morocco Hosts Morocco Cup
Morocco hosted the Morocco Cup in 2002, showcasing the country's growing presence in the world of cricket, even though the national team hasn't yet qualified for a major tournament.
2002: End of Civil Wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Algeria
The year 2002 marked the end of brutal civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Algeria, signifying a pivotal step towards peace and stability in these nations.
2003: Darfur Conflict Begins, Peak Violence (2003-2005)
The Darfur conflict, a protracted armed conflict in Sudan, began in 2003. The period from 2003 to 2005 witnessed the most intense fighting, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.
2003: South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya Host Cricket World Cup
South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup in 2003, demonstrating the growing popularity and recognition of cricket on the African continent.
2003: Africa's Development Challenges
In 2003, the United Nations' Human Development Report highlighted the significant development challenges facing Africa. The continent was identified as the poorest and least developed, with all of the bottom 24 ranked nations being African, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to address poverty, inequality, and other human development indicators.
2003: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
By 2003, the average poor person in sub-Saharan Africa was estimated to be living on only 70 cents per day, underscoring the severity of poverty.
2003: End of Civil Wars in Liberia and the Second Congo War
Liberia saw the end of its civil war in 2003, while the devastating Second Congo War, involving multiple countries, also concluded, bringing hope for a more peaceful continent.
July 2004: Relocation of the Pan-African Parliament
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), a legislative body of the African Union, was moved to Midrand, South Africa, in July 2004, while the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights remained in Addis Ababa.
2005: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
According to the revised poverty estimates, 81% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa lived on less than $2.50 per day in 2005, highlighting the prevalence of poverty in the region.
2005: Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite an increase in previous years, the poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa decreased to 50% in 2005, representing 380 million people.
2005: End of Civil Wars in Sudan and Burundi
Sudan and Burundi, both plagued by prolonged internal conflicts, witnessed the end of their civil wars in 2005, marking a significant turning point for peace and reconstruction in these nations.
2005: End of Debt Crisis
The African debt crisis, prominent in sub-Saharan countries, was resolved with assistance from the heavily indebted poor countries scheme (HIPC) in 2005.
2005: Decline in Darfur Conflict Intensity
The intensity of the Darfur conflict decreased in 2005, although sporadic violence continued in the region.
2007: South Africa's Second Rugby World Cup Victory
South Africa secured their second Rugby World Cup title in 2007.
2007: Spike in Violence in Darfur
A notable surge in violence occurred in the Darfur region in 2007, underscoring the fragile and volatile nature of the conflict.
2007: Chinese Investment in Africa
In 2007, Chinese companies made a substantial investment totaling US$1 billion in Africa, signifying China's growing economic interest and influence on the continent.
August 2008: World Bank Revises Global Poverty Estimates
In August 2008, the World Bank released updated global poverty estimates, employing a revised poverty line of $1.25 per day. This change had significant implications for understanding poverty levels in developing countries, including those in Africa.
2008: Food Security Crisis
The global financial crisis of 2008 triggered a food security crisis in Africa, pushing 100 million people into food insecurity. This highlighted the continent's challenges with service-driven growth failing to generate sufficient jobs or reduce poverty.
2009: Boko Haram Insurgency Begins
The Boko Haram insurgency, a violent extremist movement primarily active in northeastern Nigeria, emerged in 2009, spreading terror and instability across the region.
2010: South Africa Hosts World Cup
South Africa made history in 2010 by becoming the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup tournament, marking a significant milestone for African football.
2011: Severe Impact of AIDS Epidemic
By 2011, Sub-Saharan Africa faced a severe AIDS epidemic, accounting for an estimated 69% of people living with HIV and 70% of global AIDS-related deaths. The epidemic significantly impacted life expectancy, reducing it by about twenty years for adults aged 20 to 49 in the most affected countries.
2011: Zambia's Debt Crisis
Zambia fell back into a debt crisis in 2011, partly due to falling copper prices but largely attributed to the misuse and embezzlement of borrowed funds by the elite.
2012: Africa's Young Population
In 2012, Africa had the youngest population among all continents with a median age of 19.7, compared to the global median age of 30.4.
2013: Spike in Violence in Darfur
Renewed clashes and attacks in 2013 marked another period of heightened violence in the Darfur region, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace.
2013: Libyan Temperature Record Discredited
The 1922 temperature record from Libya, long considered the world's hottest, was invalidated in 2013 following a thorough review and analysis of the data.
January 2014: Kenya Loses ODI Status
Kenya lost its One-Day International cricket (ODI) status on January 30, 2014, after holding it since October 10, 1997.
2014: Peak of Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a period of robust economic growth, averaging 5.02% annually, between 2000 and 2014, leading to a doubling of its total GDP.
2015: Slowdown in Economic Growth
Despite reaching a peak in 2014, economic growth in Africa slowed down significantly after 2015, attributed to factors such as falling commodity prices, limited industrialization, and health crises like Ebola and COVID-19.
2018: Trend Towards Democratic Governance in Africa
Between 1990 and 2018, Africa experienced a noticeable shift towards more democratic forms of governance.
2018: Highest Global Fertility Rate
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the world's highest total fertility rate (TFR) at 4.7 children per woman in 2018.
2019: TFRs Above Replacement Level
All sub-Saharan African countries maintained total fertility rates (TFRs) exceeding the replacement level throughout 2019, contributing 27.1% to global live births.
2019: South Africa's Third Rugby World Cup Win
The South African national rugby team won the Rugby World Cup for the third time in 2019.
2020: Outbreak of the Tigray War
The Tigray War, a devastating conflict in northern Ethiopia, erupted in 2020, resulting in widespread humanitarian suffering and displacement.
2021: Sub-Saharan Africa's Global Birth Share
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for a significant portion of global births in 2021, reaching 29%.
2021: Population at 1.4 Billion
By 2021, Africa's population was estimated to be 1.4 billion, solidifying its position as the second most populous continent.
2021: Africa's Population Reaches 1.4 Billion
As of 2021, Africa's population reached 1.4 billion, constituting approximately 18% of the global population.
2022: Reduction of Most African Conflicts to Low-Intensity
By 2022, the majority of armed conflicts across Africa had diminished in intensity, transitioning to lower-level violence, though some conflicts persisted.
March 2023: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa
As of March 2023, 98 African properties were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, encompassing 54 cultural sites, 39 natural sites, and 5 mixed sites. Notably, 15 of these sites were classified as endangered, highlighting the challenges in preserving Africa's rich cultural and natural heritage.
2023: South Africa's Fourth Rugby World Cup Triumph
In 2023, South Africa achieved a historic fourth Rugby World Cup victory.
2024: Projected Economic Performance
Projections by the IMF and World Bank anticipate Ghana and several other African countries to exhibit strong support for democracy and market economies by 2024, leading to significant GDP growth in nominal terms and Purchasing Power Parity.
2050: Projected Birth Rate Dominance
By 2050, the number of babies born in Africa compared to the rest of the world is projected to reach approximately 37%, a significant increase from 16% in 1990, highlighting the continuing trend of rapid population growth on the continent.
2055: Rise of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt
The 11th dynasty, based in Thebes, rose to power in 2055 BC, conquering rivals to establish the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.