Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Aka |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Aka |
Central/Northern |
Western Central African Republic, Northwest Congo |
|
The Aka are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Baka |
Pygmy |
Baka |
Central/Northern |
Western Equatoria in South Sudan |
0.25 |
There is also another ethnic group called Baka living across West Africa. |
Banda |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Banda language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Chewa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chichewa |
Central/Southern |
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
9 |
|
Chokwe |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Chokwe |
Central |
Angola, Congo (Kinshasa), Zambia |
1.1 |
|
Efé |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Efe |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Efe are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Gbaya |
Niger-Congo, Ubangian |
Gbaya language |
Chad Basin |
Central African Republic[8] |
1.5 |
|
Kongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Republic of the Congo |
10 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Lingala |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Lingala |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Angola, Central African Republic |
|
|
Luba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luba-Kasai, Luba-Katanga |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
13 |
|
Kotoko |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Lagwan |
Chad Basin |
Cameroon, Chad |
< 1 |
|
Mbunda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mbúùnda, Chimbúùnda, Mpuun |
Central |
Angola, Zambia |
0.5 |
|
Mbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kimbundu |
Central |
Angola |
2.4 |
|
Moghamo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Moghamo |
Central/West |
Cameroon |
0.018 |
|
Mongo |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Mongo |
Central |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
12 |
|
Ngamambo |
Niger-Congo, Southern Bantoid |
Ngamambo |
Central/West |
Cameroon |
0.011 |
|
Ovimbundu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Umbundu |
Central |
Angola |
4.6 |
|
Sara |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Sara |
Chad Basin |
Chad,[6] Cameroon,[9] Central African Republic[10] |
3.5 |
|
Sua |
Nilo-Saharan, Pygmy |
Sua |
Central/Northern |
Ituri Rainforest of Congo |
|
The Sua are one of three groups of pygmies, collectively called BaMbuti, of the Ituri Rainforest |
Zande |
Niger–Congo, Ubangian |
Zande |
Chad Basin |
South Sudan,[11] Central African Republic[8] |
1-4 |
|
Zaghawa |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Saharan |
Zaghawa |
Chad Basin |
Chad, Sudan |
< 1 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Berbers |
Afro-Asiatic, Berber |
Berber |
Maghreb |
Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia |
30+ |
|
Copts |
Afro-Asiatic, Egyptian |
Coptic |
Nile Valley |
Egypt, Sudan |
40 |
|
Egyptians |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Arabic |
Nile Valley |
Egypt |
91 |
|
Fur[12] |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Fur language |
Nile Valley |
Sudan |
1.0 |
|
Maghrebis |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic |
Arabic |
Maghreb |
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya |
88 |
|
Nubians |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Nobiin |
Nile Valley |
Sudan, Egypt |
1.0[12] |
|
Tuareg |
Afro-Asiatic, Berber |
Tuareg |
Maghreb/Sahara |
Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia |
1.2 |
|
Zaghawa |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Saharan |
Zaghawa |
Chad Basin |
Chad, Sudan |
0.2 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Alur |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Alur |
East/Central |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
|
Anuak |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Anuak |
Southeast/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Acholi |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Luo |
Acholi |
East |
Uganda, South Sudan |
|
|
Banyoro |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Nyoro (Runyakitara) |
East |
Uganda |
1.4 |
|
Chagga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Bantu |
Kilimanjaro |
Tanzania |
8 |
|
Dinka |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Dinka language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
5 |
|
Ganda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ganda |
East |
Uganda |
3 |
|
Langi |
|Lango, Luo |
Langi |
East |
Uganda |
2.2 |
Hutu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo |
16 |
|
Kamba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Kamba |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Kalenjin |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Highland |
Kalenjin |
East |
Kenya |
3 |
|
Kikuyu |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Gikuyu |
East |
Kenya |
5.3 |
|
Kwama |
Nilo-Saharan |
Kwama |
East/Horn |
South Sudan, Ethiopia |
|
|
Lugbara people |
Nilo-Saharan, Central Sudanic |
Lugbara |
East |
Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
11 |
|
Luo |
Nilo-Saharan, Luo, River-Lake |
Luo |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Luhya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Luhya |
East |
Kenya |
5.4 |
|
Maasai |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Maasai |
East |
Kenya, Tanzania |
0.9 |
|
Makonde |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makonde |
Southeast |
Tanzania, Mozambique |
1.3 |
|
Ameru |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Meru |
East |
Kenya |
|
|
Nuer |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic |
Nuer language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
3 |
|
Samburu |
Nilo-Saharan, Nilotic, Plains |
Samburu |
East |
Kenya |
0.1 |
|
Shilluk |
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Luo |
Shilluk language |
Nile Valley |
South Sudan[11] |
1.5 |
|
Swahili |
Niger-Congo, Bantu |
Swahili |
East |
Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique |
0.1 |
|
Tutsi |
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic |
Rwanda-Rundi |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
3 |
|
Great Lakes Twa (Batwa) |
Pygmy |
Rundi, Kiga |
East, Central |
Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
0.8 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Afrikaner |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa, Namibia |
3.5 |
|
San (Bushmen) |
Khoisan |
Khoisan |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola |
0.09 |
|
Ambo (Ovambo, Owambo) |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ovambo |
South |
Namibia |
0.9 |
|
Bemba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Bemba language |
South |
Zambia |
5.0 |
|
Cape Coloured |
Indo-European |
Afrikaans |
South |
South Africa |
4.7 |
|
Herero |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Herero |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.2 |
|
Wayeyi |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shiyeyi |
South |
Namibia, Botswana, Angola |
0.3 |
|
Himba |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Otjihimbo (Herero dialect) |
South |
Namibia |
0.05 |
|
Goffal |
Indo-European |
Zimbabwean English |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.03 |
|
Kalanga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
Khoikhoi |
Khoisan |
Khoekhoegowab |
South |
|
- |
|
Makua |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Makua |
South/East |
Mozambique, Tanzania |
1.1 |
|
Nambya |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe |
0.1 |
|
North Ndebele |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Sindebele |
South |
Zimbabwe |
1.5 |
|
South Ndebele |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Southern Ndebele |
South |
South Africa |
0.7 |
|
Shona |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Mozambique, Zimbabwe |
10.6 |
|
Sotho |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Sotho |
South |
Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe (Gwanda District) |
5.3 |
|
Swazi |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique |
3.5 |
|
Tonga |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Shona |
South |
Zimbabwe, Zambia |
2 |
|
Tsonga |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Swazi |
South |
Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts) |
5.5 |
|
Tswana |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tswana |
South |
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe |
4.5 |
|
Venda |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Venda |
South |
South Africa, Zimbabwe |
1 |
|
Xhosa |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Xhosa |
South |
South Africa |
7.9 |
|
Zulu |
Niger-Congo, Bantu, Nguni |
Zulu |
South |
South Africa |
10.6 |
|
Name |
Family |
Language |
Region |
Country |
Population (million) |
Notes |
Akan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Akan |
West |
South Ghana, Ivory Coast |
20 |
An ethnic group of related sub-groups. The largest subgroups are the Ashanti and the Fante |
Aku |
(Creole) |
Aku |
West |
Gambia |
0.01 |
|
Baka |
Niger Congo, Ubangian |
Baka |
West/Central |
Southeastern Cameroon, Northern Congo, Northern Gabon |
0.3-0.4 |
The Baka are also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, or Bibaya, or (along with the other Mbenga peoples) the derogatory Babinga. |
Bambara |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Bambara |
West |
Mali |
3 |
|
Basaa |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Basaa |
West |
Cameroon |
0.2 |
|
Bassa |
Niger–Congo, Kru |
Bassa |
West |
Liberia |
0.3 |
|
Beti-Pahuin |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Ewondo, Fang, Bulu |
West |
Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe |
3.3 |
group of 20 sub-ethnicities |
Biafada |
Niger–Congo |
Biafada |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.04 |
|
Mole-Dagbani |
Niger–Congo, Gur |
Dagbani |
West |
Ghana, Burkina Faso |
8.6 |
Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba, Mossi, Gurma |
Dendi |
Niger–Congo |
Dendi |
West |
Benin |
0.1 |
|
Edo (also called Bini or Benin) |
Niger–Congo, Edo |
Edo |
West |
Nigeria |
1.6 |
|
Efik |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Ibibio-Efik |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
0.5 |
|
Eket |
Niger–Congo, Cross River |
Eket (Ibibio dialect) |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
0.3 |
|
Esan |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Esan |
West |
Nigeria |
0.5 |
|
Ewe |
Niger–Congo, Gbe |
Ewe |
West |
Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Volta Region (British Togoland), Togoland |
4.8 |
|
Fon |
Niger–Congo |
Fon |
West |
Benin, Nigeria |
3.5 |
|
Fulani |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Fula |
West |
Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Chad, Togo, Ivory Coast |
20 |
|
Ga |
Niger–Congo, Kwa |
Ga, Ga-Adangme |
West |
Togo, Greater Accra |
2 |
|
Gwari |
|
|
West |
Nigeria |
1 |
|
Hausa |
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic |
Hausa |
West/Northern |
Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan |
30-35 |
|
Igbo (Ibo) |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Igbo |
West |
Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea |
30[13] |
Includes various subgroups. |
Ijaw |
Niger–Congo, Ijoid |
Ijaw |
West |
Nigeria |
14[4] |
Sub-groups include Andoni, Ibani, Kalabari, Nembe, Ogbia and Okrika. |
Jola |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Jola, Kriol |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.5 |
|
Kanuri |
Nilo-Saharan, Western Saharan |
Kanuri |
Chad Basin |
Nigeria,[4] Niger,[5] Cameroon,[7] Chad[6] |
10 |
|
Mandé |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mandingo |
West/Central |
The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Chad |
13 |
|
Marka |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Marka |
West/Northern |
Mali |
0.4 |
|
Mende |
Niger–Congo, Mande |
Mende |
West |
Sierra Leone |
2 |
|
Papel |
Niger–Congo |
Papel |
West |
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau |
0.1 |
|
Serer |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Serer, Cangin |
West |
Found mostly in Senegal and The Gambia. Small number in Mauritania. Also found in the West. |
1.9[14][15] |
The Serer people include: Serer-Sine, Serer-Safene, Serer-Ndut, Serer-Palor, Serer-Niominka, Serer-Laalaa, Serer-Noon. Apart from the Serer-Sine, they speak Cangin languages rather than Serer. |
Songhai[5] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Songhai |
West |
Mali |
5 |
|
Tiv |
Niger–Congo, Bantu |
Tiv |
West |
Nigeria, Cameroon |
2 |
|
Urhobo |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Urhobo |
West |
Nigeria |
1-1.5 |
|
Wolof |
Niger–Congo, Senegambian |
Wolof |
West |
Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania |
4 |
|
Yoruba |
Niger–Congo, Volta–Niger |
Yoruba |
West |
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast[16] Sierra Leone[17] |
38 |
|
Zarma[5][18] |
Nilo-Saharan |
Zarma |
West |
Niger |
5 |
|