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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

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Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

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Legal Drinking Age in Africa

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📁 African Drink Lab 📁 African facts
Legal Drinking Age in Africa | The African Gourmet

Legal Drinking Age in Africa vary from alcohol is prohibited to no official minimum legal drinking ages to no restrictions.


African beer made at home

Legal drinking age in Africa varies between no age to 15, 18, 21 or alcohol is illegal to serve and drink.


The legal drinking age in South Africa is 18, however, mostly all Muslims prohibit Muslims and non-Muslims, from drinking alcohol at any age, due to Islam forbidding the consumption of alcohol. 

Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, and Sudan are the four African countries that forbid drinking alcohol of any form. Alcohol is illegal for Muslims and purchase by others is highly restricted. Non-Muslim tourists are allowed to bring two bottles of alcohol for personal use.
 
There are seven African countries that have no official minimum legal drinking ages and no restrictions as listed by the World Health Organization Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The remaining 43 African countries drinking ages vary between the ages of 15-21 or no information was provided.

List of Legal Drinking Ages in 54 African Countries

List of Legal Drinking Ages in 54 African Countries

Northern Africa Legal Drinking Age
Algeria age 18
Egypt age 21
Libya Illegal
Morocco age 16
Sudan Illegal
Tunisia age 18

Eastern Africa Legal Drinking Age 
Burundi age 18 Without An Adult, No Age Limit If Accompanied By An Adult
Djibouti age 18 Non-Muslims Only
Eritrea age 18
Ethiopia age 18
Kenya age 18
Madagascar age 18
Malawi age 18
Mauritius age 18
Mozambique age 18
Rwanda age 18
Seychelles age 18
Somalia Illegal
South Sudan No Data on drinking age
Tanzania age 18
Uganda age 18


Central Africa Legal Drinking Age 
Angola age 18
Cameroon age 21
The Central African Republic age 21 At Bars And Restaurants, 15 To Buy In Stores
Chad age 18
The Democratic Republic of the Congo age 18
Republic of the Congo age 16 For Beer And Wine, 18 Otherwise
Equatorial Guinea age 21
Gabon age 18
São Tomé and Príncipe No Minimum Age

Western Africa Legal Drinking Age 
Benin No Minimum Age
Burkina Faso No Minimum Age
Cabo Verde age 18
Cote d'Ivoire age 21
The Gambia age 18
Ghana age 18
Guinea age 18
Guinea-Bissau No Minimum Age
Liberia age 18
Mali No Minimum Age
Mauritania Illegal
Niger age 18
Nigeria age 18
Senegal age 18
Sierra Leone No Minimum Age
Togo No Minimum Age

Southern Africa Legal Drinking Age 
Botswana age 18
Eswatini age 18
Lesotho age 18
Namibia age 18
South Africa age 18
Zambia age 18
Zimbabwe age 18

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Continue your journey at the African Drink Lab — where Africa’s brews, wines, and rituals come alive.

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
My story is rooted in a lifelong immersion in African history, guided by my parents—two dedicated historians for whom culture was not just a profession, but our home's heartbeat. Now living in the United States, I carry their legacy forward as a writer, researcher, and self-proclaimed "universe junkie" obsessed with the vast tapestry of the African experience. This obsession isn't just theoretical. It's the fuel for a variety of creative endeavors. I've channeled it into best-selling cookbooks that bring ancestral flavors to modern tables, magazine columns that explore our rich heritage, and a popular blog that serves as a dynamic hub for anyone eager to connect with African culture and cuisine. My work is driven by a simple belief: to understand who we are, we must explore where we come from. It's a journey I'm honored to share.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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