These 30 Beautiful African Birds are a Sight to Behold 

1. African Barbet

• Scientific Name: Lybiidae
• Length: 7.9 to 9.8 inches
• Weight: 0.3 to 7.2 ounces
• Range: Sub-saharan Africa

It is not only the vibrant colors of the African Barbet that make it the first on this list but the intricate patterns on its feathers, its big head, short, thick bill, and plump body.

There are several species but the most common is the created barbet which is nicknamed fruit salad. It features a prominent yellow crest on its head and a vibrant green plumage with a yellow breast.

They are known for their loud, drumming calls and their playful behavior. Surprisingly they hardly move in groups.

The barbet is an omnivore bird and mostly feeds on fruits and insects. They are mostly found in woodlands or scrub savannas in Zambia, Angola, and other Southern African countries.

2. Secretarybird

• Scientific Name: Balearica regulorum
• Length: 3.3 feet
• Weight: 7.7 pounds

This is one of the most unique African birds and its name originates from the black plume of feathers at the back of its head which resembles the quill pens used by secretaries in the 19th century. They are mostly more than 4 feet tall and they hunt mostly on the ground and feed primarily on small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles using their sharp claws and powerful legs to stomp and kill their prey before swallowing it whole.

The secretary birds are mostly found in the open grasslands and savannas of the sub-Saharan region. They spread across Senegal to Somalia and down to South Africa.

3. Grey Crowned Crane

• Scientific Name: Balearica regulorum
• Length: 3.3 feet
• Weight: 7.7 pounds

The Grey Crowned Crane is stunningly one of Africa’s most beautiful and colorful birds. This bird stands tall with grey plumage, white wings, a golden crown of feathers, and a bright red throat pouch. In measurement, they grow up to 1m (3.3ft) and weigh 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) with a wingspan of 2 m (6.5 ft).

They are mostly found in the Eastern and Southern parts of Africa in areas like the grasslands, flooded plains, marshes, and agricultural land. The grey-crowned cranes are known for their elaborate courtship dances which involve synchronizing bowing, jumping, and wing display.

4. African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

• Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus
• Length: 33 cm
• Weight: 0.4 kg

This bird is renowned for its exceptional intelligence and ability to talk and mimic human speech and sounds. The African Grey Parrot are native to rainforests of West and Central Africa and you will most likely find them in coastal countries such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast foraging for nuts and fruits on treetops. These birds can easily captivate anyone with their sleek grey plumage and very distinctive bright red tail feathers.

They are highly social birds who play a significant role in their communities, forming strong bonds and engaging in complex communication. No wonder they have been nicknamed “The Einsteins of the Bird World.”

5. Hadada Ibis 

• Scientific Name: Bostrychia hagedash
• Height: 30 inches
• Weight: 1.2 kg

This Africa beautiful bird is easily recognizable by its long, down-curved bill and the crest of loose feathers adorning its head. Hadada Ibises are found in wetlands and grasslands, where they wade through shallow water searching for crustaceans, insects, and small fish.

Their loud, drawn-out call, resembling “ha-da-da,” has earned them their unique name. They are also known for

6. African Fish Eagle 

• Scientific Name: Haliaeetus vocifer
• Length: 63 to 77 cm
• Weight: 2.1 to 3.6 kg

You can call the African fish eagle a dominant predator in African skies and that’s no lie. Its brown plumage is accentuated by white patches on its chest and wings, and its powerful yellow beak is perfectly adapted for tearing apart fish. They are found near water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to its colorful looks, the African Fish Eagle is also known for its piercing cry which is a familiar sound across African landscapes. These birds are hunters and primarily feed on fishes.

7. African Penguin

• Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus
• Length: 24 to 28 inches
• Weight: 4.9 to 7.7 pounds
• Range: Southern Africa

Like other penguins around the world, the African Penguin cannot fly. However, this doesnt stop this bird from being one of Africa’s delights. Penguins exist in different species across the world. But in Africa, they are mostly found along the coastline of southern Africa and Namibia.

Penguins are naturally social birds and their friendly nature makes them an attraction for a lot of tourists. Their distinctive b;  black and white plumage also makes them attractive to birdwatchers. Since they live on land and water, they eat fish and insects.

8. Saddle-billed Stork 

• Scientific Name: Ephippiorhyncus senegalensis
• Length: 4 ft 8 inches
• Weight: 11 to 16.6 pounds

With its long, slender legs and a massive, saddle-shaped bill, the Saddle-billed Stork is a majestic inhabitant of African wetlands. Its plumage is a stunning combination of black, white, and grey, with a bare red patch around the eye

These patient predators stand motionless for long periods, awaiting the opportune moment to strike unsuspecting prey like fish, frogs, and small reptiles.

Read Also: African Animals With Horns

9. Lilac-breasted Roller 

• Scientific Name: Coracias caudatus
• Height: 14.5 inches
• Weight: 110g

Across the south and east of Africa is where you’ll find the lilac-breasted roller. Its vibrant lilac breast contrasts beautifully with its turquoise back, and its underparts are adorned with a mosaic of black, white, and brown hence its name.

The Lilac-breasted Roller is a skilled acrobat who has been captured performing aerial somersaults while capturing insects in mid-air.

10. Purple-crested Turaco

• Scientific Name: Tauraco porphyreolophus
• Length: 18-19 inches
• Weight: 8-12 ounces

Another magnificent turaco species, the Purple-crested Turaco are peculiar birds that have long tails, chunky bodies, small heads, and mohawk-like crest features. These birds are the national birds of Swaziland and are native to South and East Africa. They have vibrant green plumage, a striking purple crest on its head, and a bright red beak.

The purple-crested turaco is a shy bird that is often heard before they are seen, thanks to their loud calls echoing through the dense rainforest canopy.

11. African Spoonbill

• Scientific Name: Platalea alba
• Length: 90 cm (35 inches)
• Weight: about 3 pounds)

This bird is mostly found in long marshes, lakes, and rivers across Africa. Their features such as their white plumage, black long spoon-shaped bill, bright red facial skin, and long legs make them a favorite for birdwatchers.

This wading bird primarily feeds on small fish and crustaceans. They skillfully sweep the water surface for food using their bill to sift through mud and water.

12. Malachite Kingfisher 

• Scientific Name: Corythornis cristatus
• Length: 5.11 inches
• Weight: 12-19 g

The Malachite Kingfishers are mostly found in forests and woodlands. You’ll find these tiny jewel-toned birds near rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

These birds often perch on branches and sometimes dive into water to catch insects and small fish. It is not just its agile movement that makes it a delight to watch but its iridescent colors as well. From its electric blue back to its black and blue crest, and rufous and white underparts, this bird is undoubtedly one beautiful bird you’ll find in Africa.

13. African Pied Kingfisher 

• Scientific Name: Ceryle Rudis
• Length: 9.8 inches
• Weight: 1.5 to 2 ounces
• Range: Africa, Asia

This is another kingfisher species that is a common sight along rivers, lakes, and streams across Africa. Its striking appearance features a white chest and belly, contrasted by a black head, back, and wings.

The African Pied Kingfisher is a skilled hunter, hovering mid-air before diving headfirst into the water to catch fish.

14. Oxpecker

• Scientific Name: Buphagus
• Length: 7.9 inches
• Weight: 2 ounces

This is another unique bird that is found in Africa with the yellow-billed and the red-billed oxpeckers endemic to Africa and are both distinguished by their bill colors. These birds share a mutual relationship with mammals like rhinos and buffalos typically feeding on insects that live on the host. However, their relationship gets parasitic when they begin to pick off the flesh of the animal.

The oxpeckers have greyish plumage, red eyes, short legs, and a strong, stiff tail and can be found in Savannas in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia

15. European Bee-eaters

• Scientific Name: Merops block
• Length: 8 to 9 inches
• Weight: 23g

These birds are a feast for the eyes and boast beautiful shades of red, orange, and green with sky-blue underparts. Despite being called the European bee-eaters, the breed of these birds is found across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Oftentimes, these birds are found in savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, shrublands, and cultivations. By nature, they are acrobatic and display hunting skills. Talking of hunting, these birds, feed mostly on bees and other flying insects.

16. Go Away Bird

• Scientific Name: Corythaixoides concolor
• Length: 47–51 cm
• Weight: 200-300g

If you’ve ever heard any bird say “Kuh-we” then you may have likely crossed paths with the Go Away bird. They are known for their loud, repetitive call alarm call which sounds like they are saying “Go Away”. There are 3 species of this African bird namely the grey go-away bird, the bare-faced go-away bird, and the white-bellied go-away bird.

They are often found in southern and eastern Africa. Also, they eat fruits and insects and enjoy perching on tall or dead trees. What makes them even more interesting is their communication prowess. The go-away birds sometimes involve in duets and mimicry which makes their vocalization something to marvel about.

17. Flamingo

• Scientific Name: Phoenicopteridae
• Length: 4 to 5 feet
• Weight: 4 to 8 pounds
• Range: Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia

Even though it is the Greater Flamingo that is widely recognized, Africa is also home to the Lesser Flamingo which is a slightly smaller species. There are 4 species of flamingos around the world but there are only 2 of them in Africa while others can be found in the islands of Asia, America, and Europe. These birds have vibrant pink plumage and black wingtips. Aside from their beautiful color, the flamingoes usually stand with one leg while the other remains tucked in their bodies.

These social birds primarily feed on shellfish which most has been attributed to their pink coloured plumage. They also eat small insects and algae.

18. The Cape Sugar Bird

• Scientific Name: Promerops cafer
• Length: 23 to 44 cm (9.1–17.3 in)
• Weight: 26 and 46 g

The cape sugarbird is undoubtedly another true visual spectacle. These birds are native and endemic to South Africa particularly areas with an abundance of flowers. The cape suarbird feeds primarily on nectar, using its long, curved beak to reach deep inside flowers.

Both males and females display impressive aerial acrobatics while hovering in mid-air. However, the male cape sugarbirds are more dominating as they are fiercely territorial, and would even engage in aerial battles to defend their feeding areas while attracting mates with their melodious songs.

19. The Ostrich

• Scientific Name: Struthio camelus
• Length: 2.5 m (8 ft.)
• Weight: 145 kg (320 lb.)
• Range: central and southern Africa.

No other bird comes close to the Ostrich when it comes to height and weight. For this reason, it is the largest living bird on Earth. Interestingly, its size does not make it a lazy bird thanks to its powerful legs which propels it across vast savannas at speeds exceeding 70 kilometers per hour, earning another title as the “fastest bird on land.”

The ostrich has a distinctive black and white plumage, with males sporting a flamboyant red neck and thighs during breeding season. Since they are social birds, they live in flocks of up to 20 individuals. Aside from their large bodies, they possess keen eyes and ears that make them vigilant sentinels. The dominant males keep watch for predators for the entire flock and alert them with a loud warning call which can be mistaken for a lion’s roar.

Interestingly, ostriches can eat anything even things that other animals cannot digest as they can grind food with their muscular stomach. While their diet consists of roots, leaves, and seeds, these birds can also consume insects, snakes, lizards, and rodents.

20. Rosy-Faced Lovebirds

• Scientific Name: Agapornis
• Length: 5 to 7 inches
• Weight: 1.5 to 2 ounces

These charming birds are not just colorful but also social and affectionate and are known for their strong pair bonds. The lovebirds are often seen perched together, preening and feeding each other to show their companionship. It is no surprise that these birds are mostly the popular choice for pet owners.

Over nine species of this bird across southwest Africa can be seen in savannahs, woodlands, croplands, and human habitations. They come in various colors, including green, yellow, and blue, and often have pink spotting around the eye region.

21. Superb Starling

• Scientific Name: Lamprotornis superbus
• Length: 7.1 to 7.5 inches
• Weight: 2.5 to 3 ounces

These birds are mostly found in habitats like savannas, woodlands, and gardens, and just like their name, they are stunning and colorful birds. Their iridescent plumage shimmers in shades of blue, green, and purple, while their chest glows a vibrant orange.

It is a native of East Africa and they are often seen in large flocks which makes them a complete attraction. As per feeding, they eat small animals like worms, termites, and beetles

22. Sunbird

• Scientific Name: Nectariniidae
• Length: 4 inches
• Weight: 5 to 45g
• Range: Africa, Asia, Australia

The African sunbird species are often called hummingbirds of Africa. Aside from the colors and beauty they add to African gardens and forests, these birds are pollinators of many African plant species as they also use their curved beaks to feed on nectar just like the hummingbirds.

Several species across Africa appear in different colors. The Variable Sunbird, for example, dazzles with its iridescent green feathers and a bright red gorget on its throat, while the Bronzy Sunbird has a combination of metallic bronze and green feathers. Also, the male variable sunbird often shows off its beautiful plumage to impress the females.

23. African Hoopoe

• Scientific Name: Upupa africana
• Length: 25 to 29 cm
• Weight: 38 to 67 g

These unique birds are one of the species to see on a safari for bird lovers and are easily recognizable because of their distinctive crests and long, curved bills. You’ll find them in open parklands and snobs across Africa. The most common species of this bird is the Eurasian Hoopoe which is orange and has a white-striped body and black and white crest.

The African Hoopoe feeds on insects like beetles, locusts, and grasshoppers. They grub by probing the ground with their bills. Some of their predators include cats, hawks, and eagles.

24. White-backed Vulture

• Scientific Name: Ornithurae
• Length: 30 inches
• Weight: 15 to 33 pounds
• Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas

Vultures play a critical role as nature’s clean-up crew and this bird lives up to its role as the “garbage man” of the savannah. The White-backed Vulture is smaller in size and has a dark eye compared to the Cape vultures which it is often confused with. You will find these birds in open plains and wooded country across West Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and throughout Southern Africa.

Their names match their description. They have white head and body and dark brown wings. These birds help prevent the spread of disease by scavenging on carcasses.

25. Pelican

• Scientific Name: Pelecanus
• Length: 5.2 to 5.9 feet
• Weight: 22 to 26 pounds
• Range: Worldwide

This species of birds are mostly found in Southern and Sub-saharan Africa and they exist in 8 species around the world except Antarctica. They are mostly known as water birds and the species living in Africa are the great white and the pink-backed pelicans.

Pelicans are known for their large throat pouch and for most people, they have something in there. But the throat pouch only helps to filter food. Another feature of the pelicans is that they have long necks and short legs.

26. Shoebill 

• Scientific Name: Balaeniceps rex
• Length: 43 to 55 inches
• Weight: 8.8 to 15.4 pounds
• Range: East Africa

This is another beautiful African bird that has a bill that resembles a shoe hence its name “Shoebill”. However, it is also known as the billed stork or the whale-headed. This prehistory bird also resembles the dinosaurs of old. They have long legs and the adults appear grey while the juveniles are brown. These birds can be found in freshwater swamps in Central and East Africa.

Primarily, the Shoebill feeds on snakes, frogs,  fish, and other aquatic creatures using their big bill to catch their prey. They are also known for their slow and deliberate movement that’s possibly why they enjoy marshy areas where they can stay unmoving for hours.

27. Marabou Stork

• Scientific Name: Leptoptilos crumenifer
• Length: 4.99 feet
• Weight: 20 pounds
• Range: Sub-saharan Africa

The Marabou Stork belongs to the stork family known as the Ciciniidae and it is mostly found in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. This bird is similar to the vulture not just in appearance but other traits and has been nicknamed the undertaker bird. The Marabou stock is large and has a bald hair and neck with white underparts. They are skilled hunters and scavengers that mostly feed on small animals and carrion

28. Hamerkop

• Scientific Name: Scopus umbretta
• Length: 22 inches
• Weight: 17 ounces
• Range: Africa, Arabia

The hamerkop is a fascinating bird that has a hammer-shaped crest on its head which explains its name. It is also closely related to the pelicans and shoebill and is the only species in the genus Scopus and the Scopidae family.

Most hamerkops are brown and have barred tails, black legs, big wings, and partially webbed feet. They feed on fish and other small animals using their bill to catch their prey. Also, they are known for their nest-building skills as most of their nest are perched high on trees and are often dome-shaped.

29. Cattle Egret 

• Scientific Name: Bubulcus ibis
• Length: 18 to 22 inches
• Weight: 9.5 to 18 ounces
• Range: Worldwide

This bird is one of the common beautiful birds in Africa and in recent times, they have spread throughout the world. These birds are mostly found around herd cattle as they have a symbiotic relationship with cattle hence their name. During nonbreding season, they appear white but while breeding, they develop orange buff plumes on the crown, back, and breast areas. It is also around this period that their bill becomes red.

These birds are often found in the lake and marshy areas. They do not make many sounds except for the throaty “rick rack” sound that is hardly heard by a lot of people.

30. Hornbill 

• Scientific Name: Bucerotidae
• Length: 1 ft 1 to 5 ft 11 inches
• Weight: 3.50 ounces to 14 pounds
• Range: Africa, Asia

The Hornbill is another species of beautiful bird found in Eastern and Southern Africa, especially in subtropical areas. You will hardly miss a hornbill as they are known for their brightly colored plumage and the unique casques on their bill which makes it heavy. As such, they use their first and second neck vertebrae to carry it.

Different species of hornbills differ in size and color. It is only their bill they share in common. Among other things, Hornbills are known for their distinctive call which can be heard echoing throughout the forest and savannah areas.

Like the shoebill, these birds also use their bill to catch prey, fight, and construct nests.

The post 30 Beautiful African Birds appeared first on WeAfrique.

From the springbok to the impala and the gemsbok, these animals live in a world of their own, and above the fancy of their horns, they also serve the purpose of defense, dominance, and display.

15 African Creatures with Unique Horns 

1. Giraffe

The giraffe is the tallest land animal in the world and they can be found in several African geographic regions. It is also one of the most famous African animals with horns. They are often called distinctive ossicones – bony horns fused with the skull. However, they are not true horns, but their sheer size which is up to 4 feet is remarkable.

The males use their horns in “necking” battles and winging their heads to establish dominance while the females do.

2. Gemsbok (Oryx gazella)

The gemsbok antelope is mostly found in the desert area of Southern Africa and stands out for its long, straight horns which are mostly elegantly curved inwards. These horns usually grow to about 85 centimeters and the males tend to have thicker horns while the females have longer and thinner horns.

Mostly their horns are weapons used for both defense and sparring. However, the males engage in ritualized fights for breeding rights.

3. Greater Kudu 

The greater kudu is not just one of the tallest antelopes in the world but one with the most magnificent horns in Africa. They stand up to 1.2 meters at the shoulder and can weigh up to 315 kg. Their horns are often large, spiraling in structures, and have ridges and grooves with each twist unique from the other.

Males use them for display, attracting females and intimidating rivals. In addition to this, their horns can be crafted into musical instruments and can be sometimes used as a shofar in Jewish ceremonies.

4. Springbok

The springbok which is also known as the springbuck is another animal with horns.  Aside from their agile and playful nature, they are also one of the most enchanting antelopes. They have a white face with dark stripes that extends from its mouth to the eyes. This is complemented by a reddish-brown coat that transitions to white as it reaches the lower third of its body and ends with a white rear.

They have lyre-shaped black horns that arch backward and stand at about 14 to 20 inches. Males use them in spectacular leaping displays, showcasing their fitness to potential mates. Their horns have also inspired African art decoration.

5. Rhinos

This list will be incomplete without the iconic rhinos which are one of the most well-known animals with horns in Africa. They have become endangered species due to poaching for their prized horns. The black and white rhinoceros possess thick,  imposing horns made of keratin. They often differ in size and shape.

The horns of the black rhino are rounded at the base and sometimes evenly sized which differs from the squarish shape of the white rhino with one large horn and small horn. Rhinos use their horns for self-defense, digging, and clearing vegetation.

6. Grant’s Gazelle

The Grant’s gazelle is another animal that stands out for its horn and height. There are several species of gazelle including the speak gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, and the dama gazelle. They all possess slender, ringed horns however, the females tend to possess shorter horns than their male counterparts that are usually equipped with longer horns.

The horns are used mostly for defense, grazing, and sparring. Also, the females choose mates based on horn size and curvature.

7. Bongo Antelope

The Bongo antelope possesses spiraling, mahogany-colored horns that often command attention. The two species that exist are the lowland western bongo and the mountain eastern bongo which are considered the larger members of the antelope family.

They are shy by nature and often use their horns for display and defense. It is not only their horns and stripes that make them unique but their hearing abilities and speed of around 60 km/h when pursued by predators. The male bongo often dwells alone while the female dwells in herds.

In many African cultures, the bongo has been linked to inducing seizures in people. As such, they are often avoided by people.

Read Also: 10 Deadliest Snakes In Africa

8. Impala

This is another common African antelope which is known for their swiftness and elongated necks supported by specially adapted spines and delicate horns only found on males.

These elegant creatures are incredibly adept at balancing on their hind legs to reach even higher foliage, earning them the nickname “giraffe of the gazelle world.”

9. Eland 

The Eland is called Africa’s biggest antelope and despite its big size, it is mostly called the peaceful and slowest member of the antelope family. In fact, their calm demeanor and grazing habits have earned them the nickname “the cow antelope.”

Both males and females possess short, straight horns which are used for display and occasional sparring. Interestingly, their close relationship with humans for centuries has resulted in several domesticated breeds used for milk and meat.

10. Hartebeest

From a distance, the hartebeest looks like a misshapen antelope. They possess V-shaped horns and are iconic grazers of the savanna. Both sexes possess these horns, used in dominant displays and defense.

These hardy creatures are famous for their incredible migrations, traveling vast distances in search of fresh grazing grounds, and forming massive herds that thunder across the plains.

11. Gerenuk

With its giraffe-like neck and long, slender horns, the gerenuk presents a fascinating paradox. Reaching high foliage with its neck, it uses its horns for sparring and display, highlighting the diverse ecological niches horns can occupy.

With necks stretching impossibly long, gerenuk resembles living question marks grazing on acacia leaves. Their elongated necks, supported by specially adapted spines, are adorned with delicate horns only found on males. These elegant creatures are incredibly adept at balancing on their hind legs to reach even higher foliage, earning them the nickname “giraffe of the gazelle world.”

12. Waterbuck

Found near water sources, the waterbuck has large, lyre-shaped horns with distinctive rings. Males lock horns in epic battles for dominance, creating a spectacle of strength and determination.

Thriving in marshy savannas and riverine habitats, waterbucks are powerful antelope distinguished by their impressive ringed horns. Both sexes sport these curved horns, used for defense and dominance battles. Interestingly, waterbucks possess the remarkable ability to close their nostrils underwater, allowing them to graze submerged plants while keeping an eye out for predators

13. Sable Antelope

The regal sable antelope boasts impressive, forward-curving horns that can grow up to 4 feet long. These weapons are used for defense, sparring, and clearing dense vegetation, symbolizing the animal’s power and resilience.

Living a semi-aquatic life in papyrus swamps and dense vegetation, the sitatunga embodies adaptation. Their webbed hooves aid in navigating muddy terrain, while their long, slender legs allow them to walk through water. Males boast lyre-shaped horns, used for territorial disputes and attracting females. Their cryptic coloration and aquatic prowess make them masters of camouflage, hidden in plain sight within the reeds.

14. Sitatunga

Living in dense swamps and marshes, the sitatunga is a shy, semi-aquatic antelope. Its short, heavily ridged horns help it navigate through thick vegetation and are used for intraspecific competition.

Living a semi-aquatic life in papyrus swamps and dense vegetation, the sitatunga embodies adaptation. Their webbed hooves aid in navigating muddy terrain, while their long, slender legs allow them to walk through water. Males boast lyre-shaped horns, used for territorial disputes and attracting females. Their cryptic coloration and aquatic prowess make them masters of camouflage, hidden in plain sight within the reeds.

15. Scimitar-Horned Oryx

Due to excessive hunting in the wild for their horns, these animals which are also called the Sahara oryx have faced extinction since 2000. They have long, straight, slender horns that are curved backward and resemble curved scimitars. These horns are used for digging, cooling, and defense.

The scimitar-horned oryx is often found in arid environments like deserts and because of their adaptive natures, they can survive with water consumption. Unlike other animals, they do not have traditional structures and will often maintain groups of at least 70 members.

The post African Animals With Horns appeared first on WeAfrique.

In exploring these silent ambusers, we uncover their unique characteristics, hunting strategies, and the effects of their venom.

10 Most Deadliest Snakes In Africa

1. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis)

With an average of 4.3 meters in length and a lightning-fast speed of 12 miles per hour, the black mamba is living up to its fearsome reputation as one of Africa’s deadliest snakes.

This sleek, agile hunter is extremely aggressive and will strike at any chance it gets. Its neurotoxic venom delivers a potent cocktail of toxins that can instantly cause paralysis and respiratory failure within minutes. Even though they have been described as shy by nature when threatened, their dramatic threat display shouldn’t fool you.

Rather than fighting, the black mamba prefers flight over fight, escaping into burrows and termite mounds with remarkable agility.

2. West African Carpet Viper (Echis ocellatus)

Even though this West African carpet viper is small (0.6-1 meter) in size, it shouldn’t be underestimated. It is mostly found in the sands of West Africa and is responsible for some of the highest numbers of snake bites. By nature, they are yellowish-brown in color, and have distinctive eye-like spots they are thick, heavy-bodied, and have a viper diamond-shaped head.

Its potent hemotoxic venom disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and potentially kidney failure. When trying to attack, this snake can easily camouflage against the desert background ambush unsuspecting prey, and strike multiple times.

While this viper is crucial in controlling rodent populations, its bite always demands immediate medical attention.

3. Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)

Often found in rainforests and savannas, this stocky, heavy-bodied serpent is Africa’s largest viper, reaching a staggering 5 centimeters in length and 18 kg in weight. Unsurprisingly, its thick-set body houses venom glands capable of delivering the largest single dose of venom among vipers.

Its venom is a complex mix of cytotoxins and neurotoxins which can cause tissue damage, bleeding, and paralysis. Despite its intimidating size, the Gaboon Viper is primarily an ambush predator that would patiently wait for prey to wander near before attack.

4. Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica)

This cobra is found across diverse habitats in Southern Africa and possesses a unique defense mechanism: spitting venom. It is usually pink or yellow-purple appears nervous in temperament can accurately project its potent neurotoxic venom up to 3 meters, and often aims for the eyes of a perceived threat. This venom can cause temporary or even permanent blindness if not flushed immediately.

Aside from spitting into the threat’s eyes, this cobra will quickly unleash a bite of strong cytotoxic venom which causes pain, swelling, and tissue damage. If not

Primarily feeding on rodents and amphibians, this cobra also plays a role in controlling populations of scorpions and centipedes.

Read Also: Most Dangerous Tribe in Africa

5. Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

For centuries, this cobra has captivated imaginations for its flared hood which is instantly recognizable. It is found across North and sub-Saharan Africa and it reaches up to 2.5 meters in length. Its color varies from copper-red to almost entirely black.

Since they are often docile, they take an upright posture and spread their cobra hood as the final warning before striking. This is possibly why they are depicted in ancient Egyptian art, it was revered as a symbol of royalty and power.

With each bite, it releases a potent neurotoxic venom which directly attacks the immune system and causes the body to slowly shut down. it is also capable of causing paralysis and respiratory failure. Surprisingly, it does not spit venom like other African cobra.

6. Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

Found in diverse habitats across southern Africa, this cobra reaches up to 1.5 meters long and is known for its diurnal activity. It varies in color and ranges from yellow to copper/mahogany colored and purplish/black.

Even though it is not as aggressive as the black mamba, its potent venom cannot be argued. Death usually occurs between 2 and 5 hours after the bite and its neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, leading to paralysis and respiratory failure.  While primarily feeding on rodents and frogs, it will readily defend itself if threatened and raise its hood before giving out potentially fatal bite.

While not as aggressive as the black mamba, its presence demands respect due to its potent venom.

7. Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

Don’t be deceived by the small size of this viper which often measures between 0.4-0.8 meters as it is one of the most aggressive and ill-tempered snakes in the world. According to studies, its bite is five times more toxic than that of the cobra and 16 times more toxic than Russell’s viper (one of Asia’s most deadly snakes).

Its venom is hemotoxic and very virulent and its bite can be fatal without prompt medical attention. It disrupts blood clotting, causing internal bleeding and organ damage. It is often classified as a member of the “Big Four,” and this refers to a group of snakes responsible for more bites and even death than any other species on the planet.

8. Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca)

This slender, agile cobra mostly inhabits the rainforests of West and Central Africa. It can reach up to 3 meters in length and can be easily identified by its large hood, wide body, and unique color which appears glossy-black with a whitish-brown and sometimes yellow.

This cobra possesses a blend of neurotoxic and cytotoxic venom and can affect both the nervous system and tissues. They are mostly active at night and feed on rodents, amphibians, and other snakes. Even though it is not as aggressive as some other cobras, its potent venom speaks for itself.

In about 30 minutes after a bite, the victim will experience symptoms such as fatigue, vertigo, hypotension, hearing loss, an inability to speak, and even shock. If no medical treatment is given immediately, this may result to even death from suffocation.

9. Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

This large (up to 1.9 meters) and heavy-bodied viper is mostly known for its camouflaging and defensive behavior. They are mostly found in savannas and grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa. While their venom may not be as deadly as the Black Mamba, their bites aren’t so rare. In fact, the Puff Adder has been linked to several fatal snake bites in Africa each year as its nature brings it into frequent contact with humans. With its cytotoxic venom, it causes extensive tissue damage and necrosis, sometimes requiring limb amputation.

When threatened, it puffs up its body and hisses loudly but sometimes may not move when it hears a predator approaching. Rather, it blends quickly with the sand, and when people accidentally step on it, and strikes in self-defense.

10. Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)

This arboreal beauty exists in three species (Eastern, Western, and Jameson’s Green Mamba) native to Africa and they are found in coastal and rainforest regions. They possess a potent neurotoxic venom that affects breathing and muscle control, however, their toxicity differs. Symptoms after being bitten can manifest within 15 minutes and their victims may suffer pain, swelling, shock, nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

Similar to their cousin – the Black Mamba, they possess unmatched agility, speed (reaching 20 km/h!), and unpredictable behavior making them a force to be reckoned with. But due to their shy nature, bites from Green Mambas are relatively rare.

The post 10 Deadliest Snakes In Africa appeared first on WeAfrique.

From Tiffany Haddish to Daniel Kaluuya, Gugu Mbatha, and Idris Elba, there is more to find out about these people and how they have taken Hollywood by storm with their talents and hard work.

Meet The Hollywood Celebs That are Africans

20. Tiffany Haddish (Eritrea)

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The multi-award-winning comedian and actress, Tiffany Haddish has her roots in Eritrea in Eastern Africa. She was born in America on December 3, 1979, to an Eritrean father named Tsihaye Reda Haddish.

Her father moved to the United States as a refugee and later met the comedian’s mother, an African-American businesswoman.

Tiffany gained Eritrea’s citizenship in 2019. In 2018, she also honored her father and the country with an Eritrean dress to attend the Oscars.

The actress is famous for her roles in Like a Boss (2020), Girls Trip (2017), The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), and Easter Sunday (2022).

She is the first black African-American woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Comedy after Whoopi Goldberg in 1985.

19. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Nigerian)

Chiwetel is a 47-year-old award-winning British actor and director who was born in London to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent. He has lived most of his life in England but has visited Nigeria and has been involved in several humanitarian projects to help the country.

He is most famous for his roles in British and American films such as the Academy Awards, American Black Film Festival Awards, BET Awards, and London Film Critics’ Circles Awards. Some of his famous movies are 12 Years a Slave (2013), American Gangster (2007), Doctor Strange (2016), and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019).

18. Lupita Nyongo (Kenyan)

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Lupita is an actress. She was born on 1 March 1983 in Mexico and holds a Kenyan-Mexican nationality. Her parents are Kenyan politician Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and a businesswoman woman named Dorothy Ogada Buyu.

She rose to stardom as a Hollywood actress with films such as 12 Years a Slave (2013), Black Panther (2018), The Jungle Book (2016), and Queen of Katwe (2016). The actress became the first Kenyan-Mexican actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

17. Idris Elba (Sierra Leone and Ghana)

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Born Idrissa Akuna Elba on September 1972, the actor cum musician’s mother is Ghanaian while his father was a Sierra Leonean. His parents led their lives in Africa before they moved to the United Kingdom after they were married.

There, Elba was born and lived for many years became an actor, and later moved to the United States. His career has landed him fame and he is most remembered for his roles in Avengers, Daddy’s Little Girls, and Thor (2011).

Concerning his Sierra Leonean roots, the multi-award-winning actor was given citizenship on his first visit in 2019 and is committed to boosting the entertainment sector in Africa. He intends to create something similar to Disney in Africa.

16. Akon (Senegal)

He is a Senegalese-American musician. He was born Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam in Missouri and was partly raised in Senegal.

His career kicked off in the United States and he rose to become one of the most famous and successful singers in the country and of African descent. Some of his notable songs are Lonely, Locked Up, Smack That, and Right Now.

Akon is known for his role in helping to develop his hometown, Senegal through the construction of the $6 billion worth of Akon City which is scheduled to start in 2023 and be completed in 2026. The project will lead to a mega city in Senegal and the city will house standard schools, a hospital, a police station, and hotels among others.

The musician is also known for his Akon Lighting Africa which has aided in providing electricity to about 15 countries across Africa.

15. Djimon Hounsou (Benin)

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Djimon is a Beninese-American actor and model with a successful career that has lasted over 3 decades. He was born in Cotonou, Dahomey which is currently Benin Republic.

At the of 12, he moved to France with his brother. There, he dropped out of school and later met fashion designer Thierry Mugler who helped him become a model. He subsequently moved to the United States where he also built a career in acting.

The Gladiator actor identifies with his Beninese and African roots and also launched a program called Run Richmond 16:19 to help African descendants trace their roots.

14. Peter Mensah (Ghana)

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He is famous for his roles in Hidalgo, Spartacus, Avatar, and Tears of the Sun. Peter Mensah was born on August 27 1959 in Chiraa, Ghana, to Ghanaian parents.

He moved to England with his father and started to expose himself to mixed martial arts.

Despite his growth in England and his Hollywood career, Mensah identifies with his Ghanaian roots. He buried his father in the country in 2018.

13. Jidenna (Nigeria)

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He was born Jidenna Theodore Mobisson to a Nigerian Igbo father and a caucasian mother in Wisconsin.

The Classic Man singer grew up partly in Nigeria and the United States. His music career shows his African connection as he is being influenced by the Nigerian highlife genre which has helped in giving him a unique sound.

He is vocal about his being a Nigerian and African. He works with Birthright Africa which is committed to providing a free educational trip to Africa for young people with African ancestry. This is to help people of African ancestry connect with their roots.

12. Boris Kodjoe (Ghana)

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Boris Kodjoe is a German actor, model, and director originally from Ghana. His father was a Ghanaian while his mother is German. The actor was born in Austria and was partly raised in Germany.

His career as a model and actor brought him fame across many countries. He has been featured in many American films such as Love & Basketball (2000), Brown Sugar (2002), and Madea’s Family Reunion (2006).

Boris, like many other actors with African ancestry, identifies with the continent and even reportedly took 40 of his famous friends for Christmas in Ghana in 2019. Some famous people who went with him include Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, and Ozwald Boateng.

11. Gugu Mbatha (South Africa)

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She was born Gugulethu Sophia Mabatha-Raw to a South African father, Patrick Mbatha, and an English mother Anne Raw. She is an acclaimed actress known majorly for her roles in English and American movies.

Some of her most notable films are Belle (2013), Free State of Jones (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Concussion (2015).

In November 2022, she revealed a visit to South Africa where she reconnected with family and also visited the grave of her late uncle. Also, she visited the first fully black-owned winery in the country.

10. Danai Gurira (Zimbabwe)

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Danai Gurira is an American actress and playwright with Zimbabwean parents and heritage.

The Black Panther and Avengers actress was born in Iowa in the United States to parents who immigrated to the United States in 1964.

For years, Danai Gurira has been part of many projects in Africa. She taught playwriting and acting in Zimbabwe, Liberia, and South Africa. More so, she speaks 4 languages, including Shona and basic Xhosa.

9. David Oyelowo (Nigeria)

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He is a British actor, director, and producer known for Who Do You Love (2008), Middle of Nowhere (2012), The Butler (2013), Selma (2014), Queen of Katwe (2016), and Gringo (2018).

He was born  David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo in Oxfordshire, England in 1976. His father is a Nigerian Yoruba while his mother is from Edo in southern Nigeria.

The actor is a Yoruba prince called Omoba as his grandfather was a king in Awe, Oyo State. David grew up in Nigeria and the UK.

The actor who also has US citizenship has contributed to different projects in Nigeria and often identifies with the country. He established scholarship funds for Nigerian girls affected by terrorist acts. He also advocates against human trafficking and works toward helping women and children across the country.

More into his contribution to Nigeria and concerning projecting the country and Africa, he is set to work towards telling the Biafra story in BBC series.

8. Rami Malek (Egypt)

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Malek is an Egyptian-American actor who became the first actor of Arab origins to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. He was born to Egyptian parents after they relocated to the US following the birth of his older sister.

The Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody actor was speaking Arabic at home until he was 4. His parents encouraged him to hold on to his Egyptian roots and despite the fame, he refuses to be identified as a first-generation or second-generation removed. Rather,  he wants to be identified as Egyptian as he grew up knowing the culture, listening to its music, and identifying with the people.

The identical twin also hopes to be in an Egyptian film as he grew up watching and enjoying movies from the country.

7. The Weeknd (Ethiopia)

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The Weeknd is most famous as a Canadian, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye in Canada to Ethiopian parents.

The musician identifies with his Ethiopian heritage and learned his native language Amharic from his grandmother. He also donated 50,000 Canadian dollars to the University of Toronto to fund a new course on the classic language of Ethiopia called Ge’ez.

Again, in 2017, the Blinding Lights singer funded a new Ethiopian studies program at the University of Toronto. His love for his Ethiopian roots has extended to providing relief materials in his native country to people affected by the Tigray War in 2021.

In his career, he is most notable for his Elastic Heart, Die for You, and Save Your Tears songs; and for starring in some notable American films and documentaries, including Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016) and Uncut Gems (2019).

6. Alexander Siddig (Sudan)

He is a Sudanese-English actor and director whose birth name is Siddig El Tahir El Fadil El Fadil Siddig Abdurrahman Mohammed Ahmed Abdel Karim El Mahdi. He was born in Sudan in 1965 to a Sudanese father and an English mother.

He hails from a notable Sudanese family. His uncle Sadiq al-Mahdi was a Sudanese Prime Minister while his great-grandfather was Muhammed Ahmad, a Nubian religious leader who was proclaimed the Mahdi by his disciples and a man who contributed to the beginning of modern Sudan.

The Hannibal, Game of Thrones, Star Trek, and A Lost Man actor has not been an ardent visitor to his home country and although he spoke Arabic as a toddler, he does not speak it anymore.

5. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Nigeria)

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He is a British actor, director, producer, writer, and model to Nigerian parents of Yoruba ethnicity in London, England.

He started his early life in England before returning to Nigeria. He then found it difficult to adapt and was later returned to the United Kingdom. He went through a difficult childhood due to racial abuse that led to his hating that he was black.

However, he later came to terms with and accepted his race. He identifies with his roots and even made a movie, Farming about the struggles of black people. The film premiered in Nigeria and cast a Nigerian top actress Genevieve Nnaji among others.

While he is focused on helping Nigeria and Africa in a variety of ways, the Delta of Venus and The Mummy Returns actor works towards infusing the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood with Hollywood.

See Also: 25 International Celebrities That Were Born In Africa

4. Sofia Boutella (Algeria)

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Sofia Boutella is an actress, dancer, and model from Algeria and also possesses French citizenship. She is mostly known for her roles in The Mummy (2017), Star Trek Beyond (2016), and Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Sofia Boutella was born in Algeria to a jazz musician father, Safy Boutella. The actress grew up in Paris and has worked in movies and with musicians in America among other countries. Some of the most notable artists she has worked with include Madonna and Michael Jackson.

The Star Trek actress has spoken about her being proud to be an Algeria.

3. Rotimi (Nigeria)

He is an American singer and actor born Olurotimi Akinosho. He was born and raised in America and has reached stardom through his roles in Coming to America (2021), Divergent, and Power. Some of his notable songs are In My Bed, Love Somebody, and his Amapiono song Make You Say.

The singer always identifies with his Nigerian ancestry and visits the country. He also believes that Africans in the diaspora should return to the continent because it has a lot to offer.

2. Nana-Kofi Siriboe (Ghana)

He is an American actor and model born in 1994 in California. His parents are Ghanaians and his 2 brothers Kwame Boateng and Kwesi Boakye are also Hollywood actors.

The Jump, Girls Trip, and Queen Sugar actor went to Kumasi in Ghana for the first time in 2017 and has shown much interest in the things that concern his native land.

His exposure to his Ghanaian heritage started early and while he was in elementary school, he could boast that his best food was Ghanaian fufu.

1. Daniel Kaluuya (Uganda)

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Daniel Kaluuya was born in London to Ugandan parents. He was raised in Camden mainly by his mother as his father was in Uganda and couldn’t make it often to Britain due to visa regulations.

Kaluuya has played roles in Black Panther (2018), Queen & Slim (2019), and Fifteen Million Merits (2011). His acting career has led to his becoming the first black British actor to win an Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021).

The post 20 Hollywood Celebs That are Africans appeared first on WeAfrique.

That aside, it isn’t news that there are surely some African countries that have one of the strongest militaries.

Take, for example, Egypt with a power index of 0.2224 and an army of over 920,000 men. In the world, she is placed in the 14th position of 30 countries. The only other African country to have made the list is Algeria.

Let’s Run Through 10 of the Weakest Militaries in Africa as of the Year 2023

10. Botswana

In 2023, Botswana was ranked 124 of 145 countries considered for the annual African Global Firepower review. She has a Power Index (Pwrlndx) score of 2.78851 and over 21,000 active personnel with 500 deployed personnel.

With a budget of $537 million as of 2019, Botswana has foreign supplies from countries like France, the United States, Russia, Germany, and Israel. They also have 1 under-strength armored brigade, 2 light infantry brigades, 1 artillery brigade, 1 under-strength air defense brigade, 1 engineering company, 1 signals company, and 1 logistics group.

9. Senegal

Senegal’s PwrIndx score is 2.7961 and safe for a few points, she would have been at the 10th spot of this list. The country’s military is considered to be very weak because it has obsolete equipment and its resources have remained limited over the years.

As of 2018, Senegal’s budget was $350 million and she had an active personnel of 17,000. She also has a Navy known as the ‘Armee de Mer’ whose main responsibility is to secure the Atlantic coastline.

Senegal’s Air Force comprises air-to-air combat airplanes that are responsible for giving support to ground forces.

8. Madagascar

This country is more about internal peace and security than it is about external defense. Her military isn’t only weak with a power index of 2.9078, but it also suffers from low morale and corruption.

This country has an army of a little over 12,000 soldiers, a navy of 500 men, and an air force of 500 men. Altogether, their active personnel is just about 13,500 soldiers.

7. Gabon

This country is ranked 131st after the GFP review and takes the 7th spot on this list because it lacks investments for training as well as equipment.

Her power index sits at 2.9235 with an active personnel of 5000 men spread across her navy and air force. She has a budget of $81.52 and her only foreign suppliers are France and the United States of America.

6. Mauritania

Mauritania has a total active military personnel of 31, 540 and paramilitary personnel of 5000. They have maintained this number of personnel despite having a history of political interventions and coups.

With a PwrIndx of 3.0398, she comes in the 6th spot of African countries with the weakest military that has actually faced a decline. Despite her $231 million budget for the military, Mauritania gets her few supplies from France, Russia, China, the United States, Spain, and even Morocco.

5. Central African Republic

With factors such as corruption, conflicts, and political instability in this country, the military of the Central African Republic has been weakened over time. They have a power index of 3.2931 and another contributing factor to this is their lack of resources.

Their total active personnel is 10,000 soldiers however their functionality has declined ever since the 2012 civil war.

Just like most of the countries on this list, the Central African Republic has solely depended on international support for the security of their country.

4. Sierra Leone

Just like in Madagascar, low morale has greatly affected the military of Sierra Leone. She has a PwrIndx of 3.5241 and also suffered civil war just like with the Central African Republic.

The active military personnel in this country is about 13, 000 but due to corruption, political unrest, and conflicts, she has been weakened greatly. With a budget of $10.6 million, their foreign suppliers include Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

3. Liberia

Liberia has a power index of 4.0006 and some contributing factors to this are the long years of civil war as well as lack of equipment and training.

Taking the 141st position after the GFP review when it comes to her military strength, this country consists of an infantry brigade, an air wing, and a coast guard. Her total active personnel consists however of just 2,100.

2. Somalia

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The 2nd weakest military in Africa is the military of Somalia. Its force has been weakened by the conflict with the Al-Shabab militants, however, her corrupt practices as well as lack of funding and factional divisions have aided the weakness of the Somalia Armed Forces.

Somalia’s power index is 4.0196 and she has an approximate active military personnel of 15,000. These 15,000 active men are spread across her army, navy, air force, and police force.

This second-weakest African military has gotten foreign supplies from countries such as Turkey, China, and the United States of America. Despite this, she is still has weak and little equipment and artillery.

READ ALSO: 10 Most Dangerous African Dictators You Must Know About

1. Benin

Over the years, Benin has tried to modernize its military and also make it more professional by participating in peacekeeping missions.

No matter how hard this country tries to revamp its military and boost its strength, it remains the weakest military in Africa.

Of 145 countries, Benin takes the 144th position in the most recent annual Global Firepower review. She has a power index of 4.1269 and has just 4, 750 active personnel spread across its army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie.

For a long time, Benin has been dependent on the Belgian Armed Forces for training, coaching, and military equipment. Her major suppliers are the United States of America, Russia, and France.

This country has 1 armored squadron, 3 infantry battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1 artillery battery, 1 engineer battalion, and 1 National Fire Brigade.

The post Top 10 Weakest Militaries in Africa In 2023 appeared first on WeAfrique.

Intriguing Facts About Rwanda You Need To Know

1. She Got Her Name From A Kinyarwanda Verb

Rwanda derived its name from the Kinyarwanda verb “Kwanda,” which translates to “expansion” in English after King Gihanga founded it in the 15th century. According to various accounts, the name stems from the king’s annexation of many neighboring territories to establish the Kingdom of Rwanda.

2. The Country Was Colonized By Germany And Belgium

Rwanda has two colonial masters: Germany and Belgium. Germany first colonized the country in 1897 as part of German-East Africa. During the period, Germany ruled indirectly through an existing political structure put in motion by the Mwami. In 1916, during World War 1, Belgian colonial forces took control of the territory, and by 1923, the League of Nations had given the country to Belgium. More than three decades later, Rwanda gained independence on July 1, 1962, a month after the United Nations General Assembly terminated the Belgian Trusteeship Agreement.

3. Rwanda’s Capital And Largest City, Kigali, Was Founded In 1907

Besides being the country’s capital city since its independence from Belgium in 1962, Kigali is her most prominent city. It was founded in 1907 by German colonial resident Richard Kandt, who chose her due to her central location, views, and security. Furthermore, it has a population of 1.1 million inhabitants according to the 2012 census, but it is projected to reach 1.3 million by 2025.

4. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park Is The Home Of The Largest Population Of Mountain Gorillas In The World

Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda is the country’s main tourist haven. More than half the population is found here of the more than a thousand endangered mountain gorilla species in the world. Additionally, the park is home to golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, buffalos, elephants, black-fronted duikers, and bushbucks.

The park was extended into Rwanda and the Belgian Congo in 1929 and was divided in the 1960s when the two gained independence.

5. Hutu and Tutsi Are The Major Ethnic Groups In The Country

The largest ethnic groups in the country are the Hutus and the Tutsi, with the former accounting for 85 percent and the latter making up 14 percent of Rwanda’s population. The remaining 1 percent is for the minority group, Twa. Based on this, the Hutus remain the largest ethnic group in Rwanda. Besides, President Paul Kagame is a Tutsi.

See Also-10 Safest African Countries In 2023

6. The Country Has Four Official Languages

Kinyarwanda, French, English, and Swahili are the four recognized official languages in the country. Kinyarwanda is Rwanda’s national and most spoken language, followed by English, which has 15 percent of speakers, while French and Swahili are spoken by 6 percent and 1 percent of the population, respectively.

Besides these, the German language was used during the colonial period.

7. It Has Never Been To The FIFA World Cup

Rwanda’s national football team, nicknamed Amavubi (The Wasps), has yet to appear on the FIFA World Cup stage. On the continental level, the country qualified for the African Cup of Nations on one occasion at the 2004 edition in Tunisia. At the competition, she lost 2-1 to the host in her opening game, a 1-1 all-draw with Guinea, and a 1-0 win over DR Congo, but failed to go beyond the group stage after Tunisia and Guinea progressed to the last eight.

Outside of football, the country made its first Olympic appearance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, United States. Since then, she has competed in nine Summer Olympic tournaments, such as Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020. Despite this, it has never won any Olympic medals, but Jean de Dieu Nkundabera won the country’s first Paralympic bronze medal in athletics at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.

8. An Estimated 800,000 People Were Killed, And 2 Million Were Displaced During The 1994 Rwandan Genocide

The Rwandan Genocide, which took place between April 7 and July 15, 1994, during the Rwandan Civil War, saw the killing of approximately 800,000 people, mostly the Tutsi and some moderate Hutu and Twa, by Hutu militias. However, there are arguments that the figures are around 500,000 to 662,000.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of those who fled to neighboring countries during and after the genocide was estimated to be more than 2 million. This ushered in a large-scale humanitarian crisis as 1.2 million people escaped to Zaire, 580,000 to Tanzania, 270,000 to Burundi, and 10,000 to Uganda. Besides, 1.5 million people were internally displaced.

9. Christianity Is Her Largest Religion

The largest religion in Rwanda is Christianity. More than 90 percent of her population are adherents. According to the 2012 census, Catholics represent 43.7 percent, protestants 37.7 percent, and Seventh-day Adventists 11.8 percent. Moreover, 2 percent are Muslims, while 0.2 percent claimed to have no religion, while the traditional religion with no significant followers holds influence.

These figures have appreciated over the years.

10. Two Interim Presidents And Four Presidents have ruled Rwanda Since The Office Was Created In 1961

Two interim presidents and four presidents have ruled the country since the “office of the president” was created in 1961 during the Rwandan Revolution.

Dominque Mbonyumutwa served as the country’s first interim president for nine months, from January 28, 1961, to October 28, 1961. He died on July 26, 1986, at the age of 65.

The first elected president of Rwanda was Grégoire Kayibanda. He was in power from 1962 until he was overthrown in a coup d’état in 1973 by his defense minister, Juvénal Habyarimana. He passed away on December 15, 1976, at 52.

Kayibanda was succeeded by Juvénal Habyarimana, who served as the country’s second president from 1973 to 1994. He was assassinated on April 6, 1994, after his private jet was shot down near the Kigali International Airport.

Théodore Sindikubwabo became Rwanda’s second interim president during the genocide period from April 9 to July 19, 1994. He died in March 1988 at about the age of 70.

Pasteur Bizimungu was the third president of the landlocked country. He became president on July 19, 1994, until his alleged forced resignation on March 23, 2000.

After Bizimungu, Paul Kagame, who served as RPF commander during the Rwandan civil war and genocide and also as Vice President and Minister of Defense, was elected as the country’s fourth and current President in April 2000. He was reelected in 2003, 2010, and 2017.

The post 10 Interesting Facts About Rwanda appeared first on WeAfrique.

10 Unique Mineral Resources That Are Found in Africa

1. Tanzanite

This rare mineral resource is only found on a strip of land in the Merelani hills in the Simanjaro district of Tanzania. It was first discovered in 1967 and named the stone of the 20th century.

Geologically, it occurred through a violent clash of the tectonic plates about 585 million years ago. This clash also led to the formation of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzanite’s rarity has made many references to it as a geological phenomenon.

Over the years, jewelers have come to attach so much importance to it, at such driving up its demand. Thanks also to its beauty, it fetches a high value with a carat of the rare gem going for amounts between $300 to $500.

At the moment, tanzanite is rarer than diamond: it appears in blue and violet colors and only appears pink rarely. Since it is only found in Tanzania, the government has taken a keen interest in it and stepped in to regulate its mining.

2. Gold

This is one of the most well-known mineral resources found in Africa. Ghana is the leading producer of this item followed by South Africa. In ancient times it served many purposes including as a monetary unit. It is also produced in Congo, Sudan, Mali, Algeria

It is considered one of the most precious mineral resources alongside silver and platinum. Generally, it is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to discover gold as far back as 2450 BC.

Also, the ancient kingdoms of Ghana and Mali were associated with the item. In fact, the Mali king, Mansa Musa is regarded as the richest man that ever lived with a net worth of over $400 billion in today’s value due to his gold.

Over the years, this conductor of electricity and heat has become a fashion item. Jewelers value a carat of gold at $20 and above depending on the quality.

Until 2006, South Africa used to be the biggest producer of gold and drove so much revenue from its mining. However, this position has since been taken over by China. Notwithstanding, it has retained its importance as Johannesburg is still considered the gold capital of the world in recent times.

3. Diamond

It is one of the most popular mineral resources that Africa is known for. Diamond is mined in Angola, Botswana, DRC, Namibia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Zimbabwe, CAR, and South Africa. Added to this, Botswana is the top producer of this natural resource globally.

It’s no wonder that Botswana’s economy is supported by the diamond industry which employs about a quarter of the country’s population. Also, one of the largest rough-cut gem-quality diamonds ever found, the Cullinan Diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905. The rough-cut stone weighed 3,106 and since its discovery, the diamond also known as ‘The Great Star of Africa’ has been associated with the British royal family. Other great diamonds discovered in Africa include the ‘Golden Jubilee’, ‘Heart of Eternity’, ‘Centenary Diamond’, and the ‘Graff Lesedi La Rona’.

Despite the beauty associated with this mineral resource as seen in pieces of jewelry, it has also been linked to bad omens and conflicts, especially in West Africa, a situation that has led to such diamonds being referred to as blood diamonds.

4. Platinum

Like other mineral resources that are mainly found in Africa, the highest deposit of platinum is found in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The southern African country accounts for 80% of the world’s total production. It also has the biggest platinum mines in the world with the Impala mine located in the northwest of the country being the largest. Reportedly, it accounted for 696.4 thousand ounces of platinum in 2021.

In its purest form, platinum is the most precious metal on earth. It is generally believed that Earth may not be the only planet to have this precious metal. In fact, the meteorites and the moon have a higher content of it.  For years, there were speculations that one day platinum would be mined from the moon. As it is, South Africa leads countries like Canada, the USA, and Zimbabwe in the production of this mineral resource.

5. Cobalt

The Democratic Republic of Congo has the largest reserve of this mineral resource which accounts for almost half of the world’s reserve. Globally, the Central African country provides 70% of supplies. It was discovered in 1739 but over the years, it has proven to be quite dangerous as well as an item of medicinal use in cancer treatment.

Its usage has been traced to 2600 years among ancient civilizations like China, Europe, and Egypt which used cobalt dye. In modern times, it is one of the components used in technology when used with other metals to form superalloys.

While cobalt is one of the numerous resources that makes Congo a mineral-rich country, the central African country has still not maximized its potential.

6. Manganese

This precious metal is mainly found on the African continent. At the top of the global producing countries are South Africa and Gabon. It is regarded as a controversial metal due to its high toxicity. The fumes or dust from this metal can cause a condition called manganism. Though it is believed that symptoms of poisoning can last from one to two months, there are cases that take as long as twenty years.

Nonetheless, its mining has continued over the years as it is important in iron and steel production.

7. Tsavorite Garnet

The green-colored gemstone Tsavorite is also known as Tsavorite. It is so rare that it is only found in East Africa, precisely in Kenya and Tanzania. Tsavorite was discovered by Campbell Bridges in 1967 while searching for gemstones in the mountain regions of northwest Tanzania.

It took another three years before he found the gem again, but this time around it was in Tsavo, Kenya. He decided to name the newly discovered gem Tsavorite in honor of the Tsavo National Park which is close to where he discovered it and the Tsavo River that flows through the area.

Geologically, Tsavorist forms due to a violent volcanic eruption, the same reason why the rare gem is only found in small sizes.

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8. Rhodium

Rhodium is only found in a few places in the world including South Africa, Russia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa produces 85% of the global output. Rodium derives its name from the Greek rhodon due to its rose color.

It is used in the chemical industry as a catalyst for making substances like nitric acid. As a strong anti-corrosive agent, it is not surprising that it is used in the automotive industry as well as for hardening platinum and palladium.

Unlike other mineral resources that are used by jewelers,  rhodium is not used due to its thickness.

9. Bauxite

This metal is mostly found in Guinea. The country accounts for 7.4 billion tons of annual output. Since its discovery, it has become an important part of the chemical industry with uses ranging from abrasive to aluminum production.

Though Bauxite was first discovered in 1821 in Baux, France, its largest deposit is in Guinea and Australia. It’s mining in Guinea started in the 1960s and the government controls more than 40% of its mining operations.

10. Zirconium

Zirconium is one of the metals that is in high demand globally. South Africa produces 392,000 tons which in turn makes up 40% of the global output. Aside from the southern African country, other places where Zirconium is found include Senegal and Sierra Leone.

When it was first discovered in Sri Lanka in 1789, there was a general misconception about it being an inferior kind of diamond.

Over the years, this has been proven otherwise. In fact, they are used in a number of ways ranging from industrial products like steel alloys to medical uses.

The post 10 Mineral Resources Mainly Found In Africa appeared first on WeAfrique.

A Quick Look at Africa’s Colonization by Europe

Africa as a whole experienced different forms of European aggression between the 1860s and 1900s, ranging from diplomatic pressures to military invasions by European nations including Britain, France, Belgium, and Portugal. Moreover, 90% of Africa’s lands and 80% of its population were under European influence by 1914.

Sadly, the Europeans ignored the cultural variations among Africa’s numerous unique ethnic groups and arbitrarily drew borders separating their colonial lands to suit their needs. Due to this, some tribes were compelled to live in two or more separate colonies, while others were made to coexist in the same colony with individuals they didn’t like. Countries like Somalia, Rwanda, and Burundi had to face a tremendous deal of difficulties as a result of these boundary lines.

Until after World War II, when many of the European colonial powers had been devastated by the devastation of intercontinental conflict, European dominance over Africa persisted.

The aspirations for freedom in Africa increased as the Second World War came to a close. At that point, the European powers in Africa had to decide whether to grant freedom to their colonies or engage in costly colonial warfare.

Why Africa Should Push for Another Independence

Several African countries gained independence in the 1950s and 1960s. This happened to be the period of intense Cold War hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The two Cold War rivals made large donations of economic and military help to more than 40 African republics that were shedding European colonial control in an effort to widen their domains of influence.

Many of the newly independent African countries attempted to educate their populations and build self-sufficient economies by heavily relying on the foreign aid provided by the Soviet Union, the United States, and its allies. However, these aids were accompanied by subtle selfish demands that invariably kept most of these African nations under the control of their former masters.

Consequently, the colonial masters of several countries found a way to manage and hold onto the economic clout of several African countries. By implication, post-colonial Africa continued to experience the domination of the Western-styled economic model that was prevalent during the period of colonialism.

Additionally, the distinction between complete and absolute independence has become fuzzier as a result of France’s prolonged links with Francophone African countries like Cameroon, Togo, and the Ivory Coast. Similar to this, there is cause for concern regarding the relationships between Britain and Anglophone African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and the Gambia.

Meanwhile, several African leaders have made attempts to establish democratic and economic reforms in their countries over the years. This is what some people have referred to as “second independence.”

In order to achieve this ‘second independence’, some African leaders have done their best to erase the legacy of European colonialism, the influences of the Cold War, and the more recent misrule by Africans themselves.

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Military Coups in Africa and Plans to Cut Away from France and the West

Military takeovers were common throughout Africa in the years following independence, and there are worries that this trend is beginning to return.

The movement for second independence may just be an afterthought but it is also alongside other factors, interpreted in the body language of several coup plotters in countries like Gabon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger.

For instance, President Assimi Goïta who led the 2021 Malian coup d’état expelled the French ambassador to Mali and broke the country’s defense accords concluded in 2013 with France.

Similarly, the likes of Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara will be remembered for renaming his country from Upper Volta, which used to be a French Colonial name to Current Burkina Faso which means Land of Incorruptible People.

Another indicator that Africa may be heading towards second independence is reflected in the policies of Ibrahim Traoré, who became the interim leader of Burkina Faso after the 30 September 2022 coup d’état which ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Just like Sankara, Traoré expelled the French forces assisting in fighting the local insurgency from Burkina Faso and has been vocal against imperialism and neocolonialism.

It will be recalled that On 26 July 2023, Abdourahamane Tchiani led the presidential guards of Niger in detaining incumbent president, Mohamed Bazoum in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey as part of the 2023 Nigerien coup d’état. Like his other counterparts, Tchiani’s administrative policies frowned at the systemic imperialism and neo-colonialism by France and other Western worlds on his country and other African countries.

Within a few days of his assumption of power, the French and American embassies were closed and the French embassy’s walls and gates were set ablaze by apologists and protesters in Niger.
In addition to these developments, Francophone Africa has in recent years expressed resentment for the former colonial power, with some of the countries cutting ties with France and expelling French diplomats from their soil.

Could this be interpreted as Africa going for a second independence? Please share your thoughts.

The post Is Africa Going For A Second Independence? appeared first on WeAfrique.

Moreover, Buka Suka Dimka in February 1976 and Gideon Orkar in April 1990 each staged a coup attempt. The plotters failed to overthrow the military governments of General Murtala Mohammed in 1976 and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1990.

Leaders Of Every Coup D’état In Nigeria’s History

1. Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu

Patrick Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu was born in Kaduna on February 26, 1937, and attended Saint Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Saint John’s College. In March 1957, he enlisted as an officer Cadet in the Nigeria Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Nzeogwu received six months of preliminary training on the Gold Coast before proceeding to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, where he was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1959. He then completed a platoon officer course in Hythe and a platoon commander course in Warminster.

Upon his return, he served in several army formations and units, including the 1st Battalion of the Nigeria Regiment in Enugu, the 5th Battalion in Kaduna, the Army Training Depot in Zaria, and the Army Headquarters (military intelligence section).

Nzeogwu led a group of young army majors in the overthrow of Nigeria’s democratically elected government a few weeks before he turned 29. Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, Northern Regio Premier Ahmadu Bello, and Federal Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh were among those killed in the coup.

The coup failed and he was later arrested and detained in Lagos Kirikiri before being transferred to Aba Prison, where he was released in March 1967 by Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the then-Governor of the Eastern Region.

Nzeogwu was reportedly killed in action as a Lieutenant Colonel for the Briafran Army during the Nigerian Civil War in July 1967. His sister, on the other hand, denied the reports, claiming he committed suicide to avoid humiliation by Federal Troops.

2. Murtala Muhammed

Murtala Ramat Muhammed was born in Kano on November 8, 1938. He went to Gidan Makama Primary School in Kano, Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College), and Zaria’s renowned Government College (now Barewa College).

He enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1958 after graduating and received military training in Ghana as well as officer cadet training at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in England. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1961 and immediately assigned to the Nigerian Army Signals.

Murtala served as an aide-de-camp to M.A. Majekodunmi, the then-Federally appointed administrator of the Western Region, as a young army officer. By 1963, he was the officer-in-charge of the First Brigade Signal Troops in Kaduna, and the following year, he was promoted to the rank of major. As a result, he was appointed officer-commanding 1st Signa Squadron in Apapa, Lagos.

In response to the killings of Northern politicians and officers in the January 1966 coup, Murtala Muhammed and several Northern military officers masterminded the July 1966 counter-coup. The coup resulted in the deaths of Nigeria’s first military ruler, Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, and Lt.Col. Adekunle Fajuyi in Ibadan.

After the successful execution of the coup, Lt.Col Yakubu Gowon was appointed the Head of State.

Murtala commanded the 2nd Infantry Division during the Nigerian Civil War, which drove the Biafran Army out of the Mid-West region. He was promoted to colonel in 1968 and brigadier-general in 1971.

In July 1975, he was appointed Military Head of State after Gen. Gowon was deposed in a bloodless coup. After 200 days in office, he was brutally murdered in a coup attempt led by Col. Buka Suka Dimka the following year. He was 37 years old at the time, making him the youngest Nigerian Head of State to die in office and the only one to die before the age of 40.

3. Joseph Nanven Garba

Joseph Nanven Garba was born on July 17, 1943, in Langtang, Plateau State. He received his primary education at Sacred Heart School in Shendam before enrolling in the Nigeria Military School in Zaria in 1957. Following that, he joined the Nigerian Army in 1961, attended the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1962.

Garba had a successful military career, serving as Platoon Commander of the 44th Battalion, Company Commander, Morta Commander, and Bridagde of Guards Commander. In addition, he presided over the United Nations General Assembly from 1989 to 1990.

He led the bloodless military coup against the then-head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in July 1975. Garba, who was then a Colonel, announced on Radio Nigeria that Gen. Gowon was no longer the head of the Federal Military Government and Command-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in his broadcast speech.

Garba, along with the plotters, accused Gowon of failing to bring the country closer to democracy. The coup plotters appointed Murtala Muhammed as the Military Head of State.

After the coup, he turned to politics and diplomacy. In this capacity, he served as Federal Commissioner for External Affairs during the regimes of Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. In addition, he led the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, was appointed president of the United Nations Security Council in 1978, and was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly in 1989.

On June 1, 2002, he died at the age of 58.

4. Buka Suka Dimka

Buka Suka Dimka was born in Northern Nigeria and received his military training at the Australian Army Officer Cadet School in Portsea before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Army in December 1963. He was reportedly among the plotters of the counter-coup of July 1966.

Dimka and his group of “young revolutionaries” staged a coup in February 1976 that resulted in the assassination of Gen. Murtala Muhammed, as well as his aide-de-camp Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa and his driver in Ikoyi, Lagos. Despite successfully killing the Head of State, the coup attempt was foiled by troops loyal to the Federal Government, and a manhunt for the plotters was launched.

The leader of the coup (Dimka) ran away, but he was eventually arrested, court-martialed, and executed by firing squad alongside  38 military officers and a civilian.

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5. Muhammadu Buhari

Muhammadu Burahi was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State. He served as Nigeria’s military head of state from December 1983 to August 1985 and was elected President on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from 2015 to 2023.

Buhari’s military career began at the age of 19 when he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in 1962, which later became the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) in 1964. He attended Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1963, at the age of 20. He completed the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna in 1964, as well as the Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course at the Army Mechanical Transports School in Borden, United Kingdom.

He later served as commander of the Second Infantry Battalion, Brigade Major of the Second Sector, First Infantry Division, Brigade Major of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, GOC of the 4th Infantry Division, GOC of the 2nd  Mechanised Infantry Division, and GOC of the 3rd Armoured Division.

Buhari allegedly led the plotters of the December 31, 1983 coup that deposed President Shehu Shagari’s democratically elected government and installed him as the head of state. After 20 months in power, he was ousted in another coup.

6. Ibrahim Babangida

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida was born on August 17, 1941, in Minna, Niger State, and served as Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993. He attended Government College Bida before joining the Nigerian Army in December 1962 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna. He enrolled in the Indian Military Academy in April 1963.

In the course of his military career, Babangida served as commander of the 44 Infantry Battalion, Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, commander of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, Director of Army Staff Duties and Plans, and Chief of Army Staff.

As Chief of Army Staff, he orchestrated the place coup that led to the removal of Muhammadu Buhari from power on August 27, 1985. Babangida and his plotter accused Buhari of failing to address the country’s economic woes. He went on to form the Armed Forced Ruling Council (AFRC) and took on the title of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He ruled until 1993 when he resigned and handed over to an interim government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

7. Gideon Orkar

Gideon Gwaza Orkar was born in Benue State on October 4, 1952. He went to Boys Secondary School in Gindiri, Plateau State, and then to the Nigerian Defence Academy as an officer cadet. In December 1974, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Army and assigned to the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps School in Ibadan.

During his military career, he served in several units including Reece in Kaduna and Armoured School in Bauchi, as well as on a peacekeeping mission in Chad in 1978. He was also the commander of Oyo State’s Saki 22 Armoured Battalion.

In April 1990, Orkar attempted to depose General Ibrahim Babangida’s government. He and the coup plotters accused Babangida’s administration of marginalizing the people of Nigeria’s Niger Delta and southern regions.

The plotters’ troops took over the FRCN and various military units around Lagos, including the military headquarters and Dodan Barracks, which houses the presidential residence. Babangida, who was present when the barracks were attacked, fled via a back route.

Governments apprehended Orkar and his co-conspirators. Despite the fact that he allegedly masterminded the coup, the evidence presented during the trial indicated that Lt.Col. Anthony Nyam, Major Saliba Mukoro, and Cyril Obahor were the ideological arrowheads.

He and the others were convicted of treason and executed by firing squad in July 1990.

8. Sani Abacha

Sani Abacha was born in Kano on September 20, 1943, and graduated from the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna as a second lieutenant in 1963. In addition, he went to the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England.

He held the positions of Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, and Minister of Defense. Notably, he is the first Nigerian Army officer to achieve the rank of full military general without passing through any intermediate ranks.

Abacah was involved in every military coup that occurred in the country during his military career.

On November 17, 1993, Abacha led a bloodless coup that ousted the interim government of Chief Ernest Shonekan. He charged Shonekan’s interim administration with failing to manage the country’s democratic process.

Nigeria’s economy is said to have grown under his watch, with foreign exchange reserves increasing from $494 million in 1993 to $9.6 billion in 1997. Furthermore, the country’s external debt fell from $36 billion in 1993 to $27 billion in 1997. However, these achievements were tainted by widespread corruption, dubbed “Abacha Loot,” and numerous allegations of human rights violations.

He died in Aso Villa in Abuja in June 1998.

The post Leaders Of Every Coup In Nigeria appeared first on WeAfrique.

Interestingly, there are only 2 women on the list leaving the other 8 positions to the men. It is important to note that these billionaires amassed their wealth from different sectors and through different means. While some made their money primarily from various investments and business ventures, others started off in entertainment and became successful businessmen/women.

Meet the 12 Richest Black Billionaires, What they are Worth, and How They Made Their Money

1. Aliko Dangote – $13.9 billion

Topping the billionaire list in Africa and the world at large is Nigerian man, Aliko Dangote. As of 2022, he leads the list of Africa’s richest persons for the 11th time in a row.

Dangote began his journey towards attaining his $13.9 billion wealth from his numerous business activities. He was born into a trading family as his grandfather was successful in the selling of rice and oats in Kano.

The 67-year-old is also a great investor and has divided his business prowess. He owns Dangote Cement which is the largest cement production company in Africa.

Initially, Aliko was widely known for the aforementioned which also contributed to the 30% increment in his net worth. The Dangote Cement Holding Company has operations in at least 10 other African countries.

This richest black billionaire in the world is now known for the production of cooking salt, sugar, and fertilizer. He also founded Dangote refineries which had been in construction since 2016.

By 2022, the construction of the refinery was completed. Now, the oil refinery is a 650,000-per-day refinery project that is aimed at increasing the production of oil in Nigeria.

2. Robert F. Smith – $8 billion

Smith is a United States citizen of black descent who founded the company, Vista Equity Partners, in the year 2000. He studied engineering in school and worked in quite a number of places before his University studies.

Vista Equity Partners is exclusively focused on investing in software companies such as Ping Identity, Jio, and STATS.

19 years after it was founded, the company was regarded as the 4th largest enterprise software company. It ranked just after Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. Since its birth, it has realized annual returns of 31% and has about $96 billion in assets.

As of November 2018, celebritynetworth.com named the 61-year-old as the richest black man in America. As of then, Robert Smith had a net worth of $2.5 billion. He was also named as part of the 268 wealthiest Americans and was in the second position, just after Oprah Winfrey.

3. Abdulsamad Rabiu – $6.4 billion

With a net worth of $6.4 billion, Rabiu is regarded as a very wealthy man and not just in his home country, Nigeria, but the world at large.

His business ventures began in 1988 when he set up his own iron, steel, and chemicals importing company. As the son of a businessman, the 64-year-old inherited land from his father, and this helped him in his business pursuits.

Rabiu founded BUA Group which is a conglomerate that deals in the refining of sugar, and the production of cement and is also involved in real estate.

In 2020, he began to control the merged Obu Cement, one of his private ventures, with Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria. These merged companies are what is now known as BUA Cement PLC. Rabiu owns 98.5% of Nigerian stock exchange trades in this company.

4. David L. Steward – $6 billion

David Steward grew up in the United States of America and had a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Central Missouri State University. He wasn’t born into wealth as his father worked three jobs as a mechanic, janitor, and trash collector.

Steward, 73, grew up in a segregated neighborhood with his 7 siblings and had to work really hard to take care of himself.

Now, the man is a billionaire owing to his IT Company known as World Wide Technology. Even when he began this business, things did not go quite smoothly. Many times, he had no pay and even made losses.

The $6 billion rich man wasn’t deterred nonetheless. He now owns the majority of his company which makes as high as $14.5 billion in sales. David’s customers include other companies such as Citi, Verizon, and even the Federal Government of the United States of America.

5. Mike Adenuga – $5.7 billion

This Nigerian businessman was in the second position of the Top Nigerian Richest Men for a while. However, he has now taken a step back for Rabiu who is sitting pretty above him.

Adenuga inherited his business sense from his mother whom he helped while she was trading. From then, he acquired a lot of knowledge of business and further went on to get Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, respectively. At the age of 26, he became a millionaire.

The now $5.7-billion rich businessman converted his wealth in business knowledge to riches in assets and money. He has businesses in the oil sector with his Conoil Producing Company which has at least 6 oil blocks in the Southern part of Nigeria.

In addition to his oil wealth, the 71-year-old also has a mobile network company known as Globacom. The company is the third largest in his birth country and has contributed immensely to the growth of his wealth.

6. Patrice Motsepe – $2.6 billion

He made his debut on Forbes after becoming a billionaire in 2008. Patrice was the first black African billionaire. Let’s back up a little to know what made him thus wealthy.

In 1994, Patrice was the first black person who made partner at Bowman Gilfillan Law firm, Johannesburg. At almost the same time, he delved into the mining services contracting business.

By 1997, Motsepe had begun buying low-producing gold mine shafts and was able to make them successful. Knowing how rich South Africa is in Gold and how profitable the business was back in the day, Patrice was able to cash out.

2016 saw the founding of his very own equity firm known as African Rainbow Minerals. The firm is widely known for its services and aims at investing heavily in Africa.

Some more ventures the South African-born had interests in were Sanlam Firm, a financial service firm in which Patrice was sure to acquire stakes.

Aged 62, he now owns the famous S.A Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. By 2021, he was named the president of the Confederation of African Football.

READ ALSO: 15 Richest African Countries: Population, GDP, Minerals, Foreign Reserve

7. Oprah Gail Winfrey – $2.5 billion

The first woman making this list is of course Oprah Winfrey who has been in the business of making money for many years now. She is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and well-known philanthropist.

When listing billionaires, it is very unlikely that the name ‘Oprah’ would not make it. This woman has been running her TV show for over 2 decades now and succeeded in turning it into a business empire.

In addition to the money she makes from her show, she also makes money from films and production. The sum total of what Oprah Winfrey earns from entertainment has been pegged at over $2 billion.

By 2011, Winfrey launched a cable channel known as OWN where she has over 25.5% shares which amount to millions of dollars.

The 70-year-old TV personality is also a brand ambassador and owned a 10% stake in Weight Watchers. The ‘Oprah effect’ earned the show about 10% increase in subscribers after she became an investor in the show. Though the stake percentage was reduced to 7%, she still makes quite a fortune from there.

8. Michael J. Jordan – $1.7 billion

This greatest NBA player of all time according to a lot of people has accumulated a net worth of $1.7 billion from basketball and other businesses. While playing for the Chicago Bulls, the basketball player won several titles making him one of the best players ever.

Throughout his career as a sportsman, Jordan earned as high as $90 million. However, at the end of his career, he was worth as high as $1.8 billion before tax. Why he earned so much was partly due to the fact that he had deals with brands such as Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade.

Michael retired from playing basketball first in 1993 but made a return two years later, in 1995. By 2003, he made his final retirement and has gone on to try his hands in several other fields.

In 2014, he was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire. He was also named the Charlotte Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year in the same year.

One of Michael Jordan’s assets was Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team that was valued at $1.5 billion. Jordan, 61, also became a NASCAR team co-owner in 2020 after joining Draft-Kings sports betting firm as a special advisor and investor.

These are to name but a few of his assets and business investments.

9. Tope Awotona – $1.4 billion

Coding did not initially work for Tope, (43), and so he chose to do something different in the tech world. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and so switching from coding to selling tech-related products wasn’t hard for the Atlanta-based. Tope Awotona sold for companies such as EMC which is now known as Dell EMC.

He was born in Lagos, Nigeria but moved to the United States with his family as a teenager. Tope’s success story does not come without the mention of him going broke as he invested his $200,000 into the business that has made him a billionaire today.

Awotona is the founder of the scheduling software company known as Calendly. It was founded after he got frustrated with the hassle it took to schedule meetings. In 2021, Tope took on a $350 million investment and this valued his company to be about $3 billion.

Despite having great competitors in his line of business, Tope Awotona was able to gain more customers for Calendly. From the wealth accrued from this company, he earned the title of one of America’s wealthiest immigrants.

10. Rihanna – $1.4 billion

36-year-old Rihanna joined the Forbes billionaire list in August 2022. She was also named a self-made billionaire after her business Fenty Cosmetics gained her over $550 million in 2020.

The singer who hails from Barbados co-owns Fenty Beauty and a fashion clothing line with LVMH, a French luxury retailer. While the latter did not earn her much, the former’s success made the singer a billionaire.

Rihanna also has a 30% stake in Savage X Fenty’s lingerie line. This particular venture also garnered about $1 billion as of February 2021.

SEE ALSO: Who Is The Richest Man In Africa? Top 10 List 

11. Jay Z -$1.3 billion

In September 2022, Forbes confirmed that 54-year-old Jay-Z has a net worth of $1.3 billion. He was first named a billionaire in 2019 when he clinched the title of ‘Hip-Hop’s First Billionaire.’

The rapper’s wealth comes from his successful music career and from entertainment-related businesses such as his entertainment company Roc Nation. He was also involved in sports and a whole lot of other businesses.

In addition to the aforementioned, Jay-Z also has an interest in the making of alcoholic beverages. He owns Armand de Brignac Champagne as well as D’Usse Cognac drink.

Some more assets he has to his name are artworks by Jean-Michel Basquait and a Marcy Venture Partners company that he co-founded. The company is invested in consumer products, digital media, and also in technology.

MVP (Marcy Ventures Partner) has investments in various companies like Savage X Fenty and the Lomi Home Compost Machine. In 2019, during a fundraising, the company was able to raise as much as $85 million.

The rapper also has an interest in technology as he bought a Norwegian media technology company known as Aspiro. The deal was closed at $56 million in 2015.

12. Strive Masiyiwa – $1.2 billion

London-based telecom owner, Strive, hails from Zimbabwe and studied Engineering at the University of Wales. He is 63 years old and made the bulk of his wealth from his telecom producing service.

Beginning in 1998 when he won the government’s opposition to establishing Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe, he began to climb the ladder of success.

Now, the businessman owns more than 50% of the telecommunication company. The company is however just a part of a mother company known as Econet Group.

This Econet Company provides fiber optic and satellite services to other telecom firms in Africa. Strive also has stakes in mobile phone networks in countries such as Burundi and Lesotho. Additionally, he has stakes in fintech and power distribution firms in Africa.

With how much wealth he has amassed, he chooses to give back to society. He is a co-founder of the Higherlife Foundation which is aimed at supporting orphans and the poor in a few African countries. The other owner of this foundation is his wife, Tsitsi Masiyiwa.

The post 12 Richest Black Billionaires, Their Net Worth, and How They Made Their Fortune appeared first on WeAfrique.