Official Dates of African Independence

Listing of African independence dates from colonization as well as information about independence from which foreign powers.

Education is the key that unlocks any door

African independence took place mainly in the 1960s.

African Independence From Colonization Official Dates

Algeria

After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950's to achieve independence in 1962.

Angola

In 1483 Portuguese arrive at then Luanda; Portuguese is the official language of Angola.

Benin

Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975.

Botswana

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, upon independence in 1966 changed its name to Botswana.

Burkina Faso

Formerly Upper Volta achieved independence from France in 1960 changed its name to Burkina Faso.

Burundi

In 1962, Urundi is separated from Ruanda-Urundi and becomes an independent kingdom of Burundi under King Mwambutsa IV.

Cameroon

Was under Portuguese, Germany, British, and French control. In 1960 French Cameroon granted independence and becomes the Republic of Cameroon, 1961 Northern Cameroon joins Nigeria.

Central African Republic

In 1960 The Central African Republic becomes independent from the French.

Chad

In 1960 Chad becomes independent from the French.

Comoros

Is actually three islands, Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore are collectively known as Union of the Comoros.

Congo

In 1960 Congo becomes independent with Fulbert Youlou as president

Cote d'Ivoire

Formally the Ivory Coast, in 1985 the government requested that the country be known officially as Côte d'Ivoire.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

1960 Congo becomes independent from Belgian. 1997 Rwandan- and Ugandan-backed rebels depose President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire; Laurent Kabila becomes president of Zaire, which is renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Djibouti

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977.

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, upon independence in 1966 changed its name to Botswana

Fishing in Botswana

Egypt

7000 BC - Settlement of Nile Valley begins, a unified kingdom arose around 3200 B.C., Assyrians ruled, then the Persians, and then Rome, the Turks, British and in1953 Coup leader Muhammad Najib becomes president as Egypt is declared a republic.

Equatorial Guinea

This Spanish speaking African country gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule.

Eritrea

After independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952.

Ethiopia

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41.

Gabon

Occupied by the Portuguese and French. El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba was one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world from 1967-2009 following independence from France in 1960.

The Gambia

Gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and is geographically surrounded by Senegal.

Ghana

Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana fought and won independence from France.

Guinea

In 1891 France declares Guinea to be a colony, separate from Senegal. Guinea fought and won independence from France in 1958.

Guinea-Bissau

1446-47 Guinea-Bissau is an important Portuguese slave trade hub, 1879 Guinea-Bissau becomes a separate colony of the Portuguese, 1951 Guinea-Bissau declared a province of Portugal, 1951 Guinea-Bissau declared a province of Portugal. 1956 Amilcar Cabral establishes the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, 1963-74 - the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde battles for independence, 1973 Cabral assassinated the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde declares Guinea-Bissau independent and names their country Guinea-Bissau, 1974 Portugal awards Guinea-Bissau independence.

Kenya

1963 Kenya gains independence, with Kenyatta as prime minister. Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo Kenyatta led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978.

July 1847 Liberia becomes independent and is Africa's oldest republic.

Growing up in Liberia

Lesotho

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966.

Liberia

July 1847 Liberia becomes independent and is Africa's oldest republic.

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Libya)

In the 16th century - Libya becomes part of the Ottoman Empire, 1912 Italy seizes control, 1942 the French and British expel the Italians from Libya which they then divided. Colonel Gaddafi deposed the king in 1969.

Madagascar

From 1880-1960 Madagascar is under French rule. On June 26, 1960, Madagascar gains independence from France with Philibert Tsiranana as president.

Malawi

From 1790-1860 Malawi is a major slave trading region. In 1891 Britain names Malawi British Central African Protectorate, then in1907 Britain names Malawi Nyasaland. In 1958 Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, "the black messiah", denounces the federation and returns from the US and the UK to lead the Nyasaland African Congress. On July 6, 1966 Banda becomes president of the Republic of Malawi.

Mali

The14th-15th centuries Timbuktu was historically important as a focal point of Islamic culture and a trading post on the trans-Saharan caravan route. In 1960 Mali becomes independent.

Mauritania

1904 France establishes Mauritania as a colonial territory and in 1958 Mauritania gains independence. In 1976 Mauritania and Morocco divide up Spanish Sahara, now known as Western Sahara after Spain pulls out. The Polisario front, aiming to establish an independent state in the territory, fights the forces of both countries.

Mauritius

settled by the Dutch who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van Nassau in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, the British captured the island in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars, Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968.

Morocco

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century, 1904 France and Spain carve-up Morocco, 1976 Moroccan and Algerian troops clash in Western Sahara. Morocco fought and won independence from France. Algeria announces the formation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a government-in-exile. Morocco and Mauritania divide-up Western Sahara and 2014 Morocco is disqualified from the 2015 African Cup of Nations after refusing to host the tournament over concerns about the spread of Ebola.

Mozambique

18th-19th centuries become major Portugal slave-trading epicenter. In1975 Mozambique becomes independent from Portugal.

Namibia

1915 South Africa occupies the country, 1968 South West Africa officially renamed Namibia by UN General Assembly, and in March 1990 Namibia becomes independent, with Sam Nujoma as the first president.

Niger

1890 occupied by France, became independent from France in 1960.

Nigeria

During the16-18th centuries Nigerians are sold into the slave trade in 1960 received independence.

Republic of Cabo Verde

1975 Cape Verde becomes independent

Reunion

Is still currently a French overseas territory.

Rwanda

1890 Rwanda becomes part of German East Africa, 1916 Belgian forces occupy Rwanda, 1962 Rwanda becomes independent with a Hutu, Gregoire Kayibanda, as president; many Tutsis leave the country, Forces of the rebel, mainly Tutsi, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) invaded Rwanda from Uganda, 1994-96 - Refugee camps in Zaire fall under the control of the Hutu militias responsible for the genocide in Rwanda. 2001 December - A new flag and national anthem are unveiled to try to promote national unity and reconciliation.

Sao Tome and Principe

In the 16th century colonized by the Portuguese becomes a post for the slave trade. Granted independence in 1975.

Senegal

The12-14th centuries the Jolof empire ruled. In 1588 Dutch establish slave port on the island of Goree. In 1960 Senegal becomes independent.

Seychelles

1976 Seychelles become independent and are governed by a coalition, with James Mancham as president and France Rene as prime minister.

Sierra Leone

In 1787 British abolitionists and sponsors establish a settlement in Freetown for repatriated and rescued slaves, 1961 becomes independent.

Somalia

Somalia has been under Egyptian, French, British, and Italian control in 1960 becomes independent.

A young Nelson Mandela and his son who passed away very young

South Africa

1816-1826 - Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu empire.1835-1840 - Boers begin The 'Great Trek'. 1899 -The second Anglo-Boer War begins. 1910 - Formation of Union of South Africa. 1948 - Policy of apartheid adopted. 1964 - ANC leader Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment. 1990 - Mandela released after 27 years in prison. Namibia becomes independent. Eleven languages are recognized as official.

South Sudan

Independence was backed by 99% of South Sudanese in the 2011 referendum spiting from Northern Sudan.

Sudan

Sudan fought and won independence from France. Sudan, once the largest country in Africa, split into two countries in July 2011.

Former Swaziland officially eSwatini

Ingwenyama Mswati III has been king of Eswatini since 1986. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in April 2018. Eswatini has surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Tanzania

Tanzania has been in Portuguese, Arab, German, and British control. In 1964 Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to become Tanzania.

Togo

1884 German protectorate of Togoland established. Togo was occupied since the 1700s by the Danish, Germans, British and French received independence in 1960 with Sylvanus Olympio elected as the first president.

Tunisia

1100 BC the city of Carthage, near the site of present-day Tunisia becomes a naval power. Tunisia has been in Roman, Arab, Berber, Turkish Ottoman Empire, and French control; in 1956 Tunisia becomes independent. Tunisia fought and won independence from France.

Uganda

1890 Britain and Germany sign treaty giving Britain rights to what was to become Uganda. The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962.

Zambia

Was known as the territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the British 1891-1923 until it was taken over by the United Kingdom in 1923. The name was changed from Northern Rhodesia to Zambia upon independence in 1964 from the United Kingdom.

Zimbabwe

Formally Rhodesia, UN sanctions and a revolution finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence as Zimbabwe in 1980. [Read Next: Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa]

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