Welcome to this post on the list of colonized countries on the African continent, via Afrokonnect. From the late 19th Century to the mid-20th Century, European powers began the colonial expansion of African countries. Several African countries were shared in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885.
This article is dedicated to providing an overview of the years various African countries spent in colonialism. This list helps us understand the impact of colonialism on the African Continent. The list of colonized countries is extensive with countries like Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya present in the list. The European invaders showed by ambitions by coming up with a lot of changes both culturally and politically.
The effects of colonialism can be viewed from a positive and negative point of view. The process of decolonization began after World War II. This marked the end of the colonial and dark era and the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s history.
List of Colonized Countries on the African Continent
Beginning and End of Colonialism Domination in Africa Countries
1) Algeria
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1830
End of Colonialism: 1962
Years of Colonialism: 132 Years
2) Angola
Colonized by: Portugal
Beginning of Colonialism: 1573
End of Colonialism: 1975
Years of Colonialism: 402 Years
3) Benin
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1878
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 82 Years
4) Botswana
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1885
End of Colonialism: 1966
Years of Colonialism: 81 Years
5) Burkina Faso
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1895
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 65 years
6) Burundi
Colonized by: Germany & Belgium
Beginning of Colonialism: 1897
End of Colonialism: 1962
Years of Colonialism: 65 years
7) Cameroon
Colonized by: Germany, France and the United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1845
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 115 Years
8) Central African Republic (CAR)
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1890
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 70 Years
9) Chad
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1900
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 60 Years
10) Republic of Congo
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1880
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 80 Years
11) Djibouti
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1862
End of Colonialism: 1977
Years of Colonialism: 115 Years
12) Egypt
Colonized by: France & the United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1876
End of Colonialism: 1956
Years of Colonialism: 80 Years
13) Equatorial Guinea
Colonized by: Portugal, United Kingdom (UK), Netherlands, and Spain
Beginning of Colonialism: 1507
End of Colonialism: 1968
Years of Colonialism: 461 Years
14) Ethiopia
Colonized by: Italy and the United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1908
End of Colonialism: 1954
Years of Colonialism: 46 Years
List of Colonized Countries on the African Continent
15) Gabon
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1852
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 108 Years
16) Gambia
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1816
End of Colonialism: 1965
Years of Colonialism: 149 Years
17) Ghana
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1756
End of Colonialism: 1957
Years of Colonialism: 201 Years
18) Guinea
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1865
End of Colonialism: 1958
Years of Colonialism: 93 Years
19) Guinea-Bissau
Colonized by: Portugal
Beginning of Colonialism: 1616
End of Colonialism: 1974
Years of Colonialism: 358 Years
20) Ivory Coast
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1839
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 121 Years
21) Kenya
Colonized by: Portugal & the United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1505
End of Colonialism: 1963
Years of Colonialism: 458 Years
22) Lesotho
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1845
End of Colonialism: 1966
Years of Colonialism: 121 Years
23) Liberia
Colonized by: United States of America (USA)/Settler
Beginning of Colonialism: 1821
End of Colonialism: 1976
Years of Colonialism: 155 Years
24) Libya
Colonized by: Italy
Beginning of Colonialism: 1911
End of Colonialism: 1951
Years of Colonialism: 40 Years
25) Madagascar
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1642
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 318 Years
26) Malawi
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1885
End of Colonialism: 1964
Years of Colonialism: 79 Years
27) Mali
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1880
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 80 Years
28) Mauritania
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1858
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 102 Years
29) Morocco
Colonized by: France & Spain
Beginning of Colonialism: 1903
End of Colonialism: 1956
Years of Colonialism: 53 Years
List of Colonized Countries on the African Continent
30) Mozambique
Colonized by: Portugal
Beginning of Colonialism: 1505
End of Colonialism: 1975
Years of Colonialism: 470 Years
31) Niger
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1897
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 63 Years
32) Nigeria
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1851
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 109 Years
33) Rwanda
Colonized by: Germany & Belgium
Beginning of Colonialism: 1899
End of Colonialism: 1961
Years of Colonialism: 62 Years
34) Senegal
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1816
End of Colonialism: 1906
Years of Colonialism: 90 Years
List of Colonized Countries on the African Continent
35) Sierra Leone
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1787
End of Colonialism: 1961
Years of Colonialism: 174 Years
36) Somalia
Colonized by: Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1506
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 454 Years
37) South Africa
Colonized by: Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK)/Settler
Beginning of Colonialism: 1652
End of Colonialism: 1994
Years of Colonialism: 342 Years
38) Sudan
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1882
End of Colonialism: 1956
Years of Colonialism: 74 Years
39) Swaziland
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)/ Settler
Beginning of Colonialism: 1880
End of Colonialism: 1968
Years of Colonialism: 88 Years
40) Tanzania
Colonized by: Portugal, United Kingdom (UK), and Germany
Beginning of Colonialism: 1502
End of Colonialism: 1963
Years of Colonialism: 461 Years
41) Togo
Colonized by: Germany and France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1884
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 76 Years
42) Tunisia
Colonized by: France
Beginning of Colonialism: 1869
End of Colonialism: 1956
Years of Colonialism: 87 Years
43) Uganda
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1890
End of Colonialism: 1962
Years of Colonialism: 72 Years
44) Zaire/Congo
Colonized by: Belgium
Beginning of Colonialism: 1879
End of Colonialism: 1960
Years of Colonialism: 81 Years
45) Zambia
Colonized by: United Kingdom (UK)
Beginning of Colonialism: 1889
End of Colonialism: 1964
Years of Colonialism: 75 Years
46) Zimbabwe
Colonized by: Portugal and the United Kingdom (UK)/Settler
Beginning of Colonialism: 1560
End of Colonialism: 1980
Years of Colonialism: 420 Years
FAQ
How many countries colonized in Africa?
Africa was colonized by seven different nations.
The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal were the nations in question here.
The process of colonialism in Africa was finished by the turn of the 20th century, and it wasn’t until the middle of the previous century that the last colonized African nation achieved its independence.
Which country in Africa was first colonized?
The Dutch first established one of their early colonies in Ghana in the 16th century and began extracting resources from underground mines there, mostly gold.
It was via the Elmina Castle, which had been constructed in Ghana in 1642,
That the Dutch kidnapped and exported thousands upon thousands of Africans from Ghana to be sold as slaves in the Americas and Europe.
How many African countries were colonized by the British?
The decline of Britain’s colonial empire in Africa began during the early years of the queen’s reign as monarch.
At one point, the United Kingdom exercised dominion over at least 17 nations located on the African continent.
Even today, the legacy of British dominance is connected with wars, the compelled exploitation of natural resources, and the seizure of territory.
List of Colonized Countries on the African Continent
Conclusion
The list of colonized countries on the African Continent shows a painful and devastating period in Africa’s history.
It showed a period in which the African continent was dominated by European powers. These European powers exploited the African continent massively which has led to neo-colonialism.
Note: Neo-colonialism refers to a previously colonized country being dependent on its colonialist.
The list also shows the resilience of the African spirit which can’t be suppressed and fought for its independence.
The decolonization process in Africa was very memorable in the history of the continent.
The African continent is urged to learn from its past which will help contribute to a better future for the continent.
This will help foster peace and unity on the continent hence contributing to a shared progress.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you another time on Afrokonnect.ng.
