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Sixteen Landlocked African Countries — Facts, Sizes & Geography

Africa has the most countries of any continent — 54 in total — and 16 of these (about 30%) are landlocked, with no direct access to the sea. Sixteen Landlocked Countries Are in Africa Out of 49 Worldwide Landlocked African Countries List Landlocked countries are entirely surrounded by land, lacking a coastline on an ocean or sea (though they may have rivers and lakes). Globally there are 49; sixteen are in Africa : Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Largest Landlocked Countries in Africa by Area Here’s how the 16 compare by size: Chad — 495,755 sq mi Niger — 489,191 sq mi Mali — 478,767 sq mi Ethiopia — 435,186 sq mi Zambia — 290,586 sq mi South Sudan — 248,777 sq mi Central African Republic — 240,535 sq mi Botswana — 231,804 sq mi Zimbabwe — 150,804 sq mi Burkina Faso — 105,869 sq mi ...

Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

Cooking and Eating Sweet Potato Leaves

Bet you would eat more sweet potato leaves if you knew they have five times more vitamin C than other greens such as spinach. While it is true, you will not find sweet potato leaves at your local supermarket or farm-fresh produce stand that does not mean you cannot find sweet potato leaves to cook. Sweet potato leaves are widely popular throughout Africa in cooking recipes but do not get as much use in the United States. Most people have no idea you can cook with sweet potato leaves. Sweet potato leaves are edible and delicious with a soft texture that tastes like kale or spinach. Go outside of your comfort zone and shop at Caribbean or Asian food supermarkets where it is easy to find fruits and vegetables such sweet potato leaves at places dedicated to ethnic cooking. Sweet potato leaves range in color from dark green to yellow to purple depending on the type of sweet potato. The creeping sweet potato vines are most tender when the sweet potato leaves are younger. The good thing...

Explore Africa: Food, History, and Culture

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.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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, science, 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 archives 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.

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The African Gourmet: African Cuisine, Folktales and Cultural Stories