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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Your African Journey

From political insights through food to traditional wisdom and modern solutions - explore Africa's depth.

Old and New African Country Names

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📁 Africa geography facts 📁 African facts
African country names in history and current

Africa is the oldest inhabited continent and the most colonized land, people and culture. Africa encountered colonization, occupation, and aggression from Britian, Germany, the Romans, Arabs, Danish, Berbers, Turkish Ottoman Empire, the French, Portuguese, Italians, Dutch and countless internal battles.

Learn more about Africa’s past:

Why do the names of African countries constantly change? The names of African countries constantly change due to wealthy non-African nations and complicit African leaders roughly divide Africa by resources. The colonization of Africa imposed boundaries without regard to culture or heritage of native Africans. The land of Africa was divided according to natural resouces such as gold, ivory, diamonds, slaves, spices, and currently minerials hence the historical and current changing of the names of African countries.

Solely according to the business and trade economies, roughly Africa was divided into four coasts; Pepper Coast, Ivory Coast, Gold Coast, and the Slave Coast. Nearly 40% of Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon were imprisoned Africans were enslaved on bights and were sold to the present day US State of Virginia. Many of these captives were Igbo, a people living in the area north what is now Nigeria.

Since the early 1800's Cammeroon has been known as the Slave Coast, German Colony Kamerun, French Cameroon and British Cameroon. The Central African Republic has been known as French Protectorate, Portuguese Protectorate, Central African Empire and Ubangi-Shari and Slave Coast.



Three Mundri South Sudan African Women in Traditional Ankara or Kitenge fashion
Three Mundri South Sudan African Women in Traditional Ankara or Kitenge fashion

List of old African country names and current country names of all African countries.


With a mix of Arabic, Danish, German, Indian, African, French, Italian, Chinese and European influences Africa is truly a melting pot of language, culture and ideas and has undergone numerous changes in names throughout her history.


With a mix of Arabic, Danish, German, Indian, African, French, Italian, Chinese and European influences Africa is truly a melting pot of language, culture and idea’s

Old and New Names of African Countries


Old Name New Name
Ancient Numidia, Ottoman Corsairs, Barbary Coast and French Protectorate Algeria
Kingdom of Kongo and Portuguese Protectorate Angola
Republic of Dahomey and French Dahomey Benin
Bechuanaland, British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and Slave Coast Botswana
Mossi kingdom, French Protectorate and Upper Volta Burkina Faso
German Protectorate, Belgium Protectorate and Urundi Burundi
Portuguese Protectorate and Slave Coast Cabo Verde
French Protectorate, Portuguese Protectorate, Central African Empire and Ubangi-Shari and Slave Coast Central African Republic
Kanem-Bornu Empire, Bagirmi Kingdom, Ouaddai Kingdom, Portuguese Protectorate, Slave Coast and French Equatorial Africa Chad
Kingdom of Kongo, Kingdom of Luba, Kingdom of Lunda, Belgium Protectorate, Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Katanga and Zaire Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ifat and Adal Sultanates, Afars and Issas Territory, and French Somaliland Djibouti
There were more than 30 dynasties in Egyptian history, Kemet, Nubia, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, and Old, Middle and New Kingdoms Egypt
Naqis, Baqlin, Bazin, Jarin and Qata independent nations, Italian Protectorate and French Protectorate Eritrea
Portuguese Protectorate, Spanish Protectorate and Spanish Guinea Equatorial Guinea
Italian East Africa Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia
Abyssinia Ethiopia
Dagomba, Gold Coast, Togoland, British Togoland Ghana
Portuguese Protectorate and French Guinea Guinea
Kenya Colony and East Africa Protectorate Kenya
British East Africa or East Africa Protectorate Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of Somalia
Basutoland Kingdom of Lesotho
Grain Coast Liberia
Pirate Island, Merina Kingdom, French Protectorate and Malagasy Republic Madagascar
Kingdom of Maravi, British African Protectorate and Nyasaland Malawi
Songhay, French Sudan and Sudanese Republic Mali
French West Africa Mauritania, The Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Benin.
Spanish West Africa Morocco, Western Sahara
Portuguese East Africa Província Ultramarina de Moçambique Mozambique
Portuguese Protectorate and German Southwest Africa Deutsch-Südwestafrika Namibia
Hausaland Niger, Nigeria
Republic of Biafra, Slave Coast Nigeria
Buganda Kingdom, Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and British Protectorate Uganda
Bourbon Island and French African Protectorate Reunion Island (French territory since 1946)
German Protectorate, Belgian Protectorate and Ruanda Rwanda
Ajuran Empire, Macrobia Kingdom, British German Protectorate,, Itialian Protectorate, and Benadir Somalia
Union of South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Cape Colony, Republic of Ciskei, Kaffraria Transkei South Africa
Nubia Sudan, Egypt
Slave Coast, French Protectorate Gabon
Ancient Numidia, Ottoman Corsairs, Barbary Coast and French Protectorate Tunisia
Tanganyika Territory and Zanzibar semi-autonomous Tanzania
Senegambia The Gambia, Senegal
Spanish Sahara Western Sahara
Slave Coast, German Colony Kamerun, French Cameroon and British Cameroon Cameroon
Northern Rhodesia Zambia
Southern Rhodesia Zimbabwe
British Protectorate and Swaziland Kingdom of Eswatini
Abron Kingdom, Gyaaman Empire, Kong Empire, Baoulé Empire, Ndenye and Sanwi Kingdoms, Asante Kingdoms, French Protectorate, Ivory Coast, Costa do Marfim Côte d'Ivoire
Slave Coast and British Togoland Togo

Africa

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=
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The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

Africa × World: Editor's Picks

Cross-continental food, science, history, and cultural exchanges.

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.