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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

Christmas & New Year Across Africa

Holiday traditions, recipes, and celebrations

Christmas across Africa

Merry Christmas in African Languages

Traditions
Krampus dessert

Krampus's Favorite African Dessert

Recipes
New Year fireworks in Africa

How Africa Celebrates New Year

Celebrations
Black eyed pea casserole

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Luck & Prosperity

FOOD PROVERBS

African Food Proverbs

Culinary wisdom passed down through generations

African food sayings and proverb

Best Ten African Food Sayings & Proverbs

Culinary Wisdom
Meat stew representing animal wisdom

Honoring Animal: African Wisdom of Thankfulness

Gratitude
Diverse hands placing food on shared table

Bring Something to the Table

Community
Lemon varieties representing spice of life

6 African Proverbs That Will Spice Up Your Cooking

Transformation

What is the Average Number of Children Africans Have

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📁 African facts

Popular in This Category

The median age in Africa is 19.7 in 2012 and will increase to 25.4 in 2050.
The median age in Africa is 19.7 in 2012 and will increase to 25.4 in 2050.

African Countries with the highest fertility rates

Niger 6.62

Burundi 6.04

Mali 5.95

Somalia 5.89

Uganda 5.80

Burkina Faso 5.79

Zambia 5.67

Malawi 5.54

Angola 5.31

South Sudan 5.19


African Countries with the lowest fertility rates

Djibouti 2.35

South Africa 2.31

Botswana 2.30

Cabo Verde 2.26

Morocco 2.12

Libya 2.04

Tunisia 1.98

Seychelles 1.86

Brunei 1.79

Mauritius 1.75

Birth rates and fertility rates statistics in Africa on the average number of children Africans give birth to

Historically in Africa, a young age structure reflects high fertility coupled with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS-related deaths. 

Africa's population is young, very young and its share in the world population will increase to 24% in 2050, up from about 13% in 2012. 

The median age in Africa is 19.7 in 2012 and will increase to 25.4 in 2050. Throughout Africa, a decline in the median age echoes high fertility rates together with the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. 

Childbearing Age (reproductive age) of women is ages 15-49 as defined by the World Health Organization. Total fertility rate and birth rate do not include adolescent pregnancy, childbirth before the age of 15.

African Fertility Rates 2017

Niger 6.49

Angola 6.16

Mali 6.01

Burundi 5.99

Somalia 5.8

Burkina Faso 5.71

Uganda 5.71

Zambia 5.63

Malawi 5.49

Mozambique 5.08

South Sudan 5.07

Nigeria 5.07

Liberia 5.06

Ethiopia 4.99

Benin 4.77

Tanzania 4.77

Guinea 4.77

Sierra Leone 4.73

Cameroon 4.64

Congo, Republic Of The 4.59

Gabon 4.39

Congo, Democratic Republic Of The 4.39

Equatorial Guinea 4.39

Togo 4.38

Chad 4.34

Central African Republic 4.3

Senegal 4.28

Sao Tome And Principe 4.25

Guinea-Bissau 4.09

Madagascar 4.03

Ghana 4

Eritrea 3.99

Zimbabwe 3.98

Rwanda 3.87

Mauritania 3.86

Sudan 3.57

Gambia, The 3.52

Egypt 3.47

Cote D'ivoire 3.38

Namibia 3.29

Kenya 2.98

Algeria 2.7

Eswatini 2.69

Lesotho 2.63

Botswana 2.56

Djibouti 2.31

South Africa 2.29

Cabo Verde 2.24

Tunisia 2.23

Morocco 2.11

Libya 2.04

Seychelles 1.85

Mauritius 1.75

Birth rate and total fertility rate are two very different statistics when measuring the growth of a country.

Birth rate compares the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear. 

However, total fertility rate compares figures for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. 

Total fertility rate shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. 

Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. 

Niger tops the fertility rate listing with 51% of women between 20 and 24 reporting a birth before the age of 18 with a fertility rate of 6.62 births per women of childbearing age.

 
Niger tops the fertility rate listing with 51% of women between 20 and 24 reporting a birth before the age of 18 with a fertility rate of 6.62 births per women of childbearing age.

Niger tops the fertility rate listing with a fertility rate of 6.62 births per women of childbearing age.

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

Working Hands of Africa

The labor and love that feeds a continent

Hands holding African fruit

African Culture & Traditions

Harvest & Heritage
Hands preparing fufu

How Fufu Explains Politics

Food & Power
Farming hands in Africa

Slow Food Disappearance

Farming & Tradition
Hands with plantains

The Universal Plantain

Cooking & Community

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.