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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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List of Largest Ethnic Groups in Africa

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List of the largest ethnic group in each African Country.


An ethnic group is a category of people who belonging to or deriving from the cultural, religious, or linguistic traditions of a people or country. People who identify with each other based on similarities, such as common ancestral, language, social, and cultural experiences.

Race is associated with biology, whereas ethnicity is associated with culture.
Learning at a refugee camp in East Africa

Some believe belonging to an ethnic group does not come from individual choice but others impose ethnicity. Race is associated with biology, whereas ethnicity is associated with culture. Therefore, an ethnic group is a subjective category based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions of others. 

Largest Ethnic Groups in every African Country

2006-2016 CIA census reports

African Country
Largest Ethnic Group
Algeria
Arab-Berber 99%
Angola
Ovimbundu 37%
Benin
Fon and related 38.4%
Botswana
Setswana 79%
Burkina Faso
Mossi 52.5%
Burundi
Hutu 85%
Cameroon
Cameroon Highlanders 31%
Cabo Verde
Creole mulatto 71%
Central African Republic
Baya 33%
Chad
Sara 25.9%
Comoros
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava (Comoros’ population is a mixture of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population
Republic of the Congo
Kongo 48%
Cote d'Ivoire
Akan 32.1%
Djibouti
Somali 60%
Egypt
Egyptian 99.6%
Equatorial Guinea
Fang 85.7%
Eritrea
Tigrinya 55%
Ethiopia
Oromo 34.4%
Gabon
Fang 32%
The Gambia
Mandinka/Jahanka 33.8%
Ghana
Akan 47.5%
Guinea
Fulani (Peul) 33.9%
Guinea-Bissau
Fulani 28.5%
Kenya
Kikuyu 22%
Lesotho
Sotho 99.7%
Liberia
Kpelle 20.3%
Libya
Berber and Arab 97%
Madagascar
Merina 26%
Malawi
Chewa 32.6%
Mali
Bambara 34.1%
Mauritania
Black Moors 40%
Mauritius
Creole 86.5%
Morocco
Arab-Berber 99%
Mozambique
Ethnic groups are not broken down in percentages however, the country is 99.66% African. The main ethnic groups in Mozambique are Makhuwa, Tsonga, Makonde, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups.
Namibia
Ovambo 50%
Niger
Hausa 53.1%
Nigeria
Hausa and Fulani 29%
Rwanda
Hutu 84%
Sao Tome and Principe
Mestico or mixed-blood, descendants of Portuguese colonists and African slaves figures vary from 33%-68%
Senegal
Wolof 38.7%
Seychelles
Mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab. Seychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770.
Sierra Leone
Temne 35%
Somalia
Somali 85%
South Africa
Zulu 21 %
South Sudan
Dinka 35.8%
Sudan
Sudanese Arab 70%
Swaziland (renamed the country eSwatini in April 2018)
Swazi 84.3%
Tanzania
Bantu 95%
Togo
Ewe figures vary from 21%-32%
Tunisia
Arab 98%
Uganda
Baganda 16.5%
Zambia
Bemba 21%
Zimbabwe
Shona 82%


Some believe belonging to an ethnic group does not come from individual choice but others impose ethnicity.

Did you know?
Throughout the world, ethnicity is used as a social measure of differences between groups of people.

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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

🍚

🍚 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

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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.

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