Africa is home to fifty-four countries and 16 of those countries make up West Africa. This article is an introduction to West Africa’s 16 countries, each captivating in their undiscovered beauty, people, places, cultures and traditions.
In West Africa, the old stands alongside the new in a region of Africa forged by coastlines, beaches, mountains, hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, deserts, and grasslands.
While you won’t see herds of animals that many travelers associate with Africa such as zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, etc., seen in large numbers in East and South Africa, West Africa does have its share of abundant and varied wildlife. Plant life is just as diverse.
West Africa’s unmatched and greatest appeal, by far, is its astonishing diversity of people, and the richness of the vast array of cultures and traditions. From languages to cuisine, to religion and so much more, there is so much to see, do, and discover in West Africa.
Introducing West Africa’s 16 Countries
As it was, and as it is now, West Africa is enchanting, mesmerizing, thought-provoking, challenging, enigmatic and home to some of the world’s friendliest and most welcoming people.
Benin
- Formerly known as the Republic of Dahomey
- Capital city: Porto-Novo
- Most populous city: Cotonou
- National Languages: French, and local languages including, Fon, Bariba, Yoruba, and Dendi
Main Attractions:
Python Temple (Temple des Pythons)
Voodoo Culture and Traditions
Voodoo Festival (January 10)
Slave Route (Route des Eclaves)
Ganvie Stilt Village
Royal Palace of the Ancient Kingdom of Dahomey
History and Art Museums
Beaches
Nightlife
Burkina Faso
- Formerly known as Upper Volta
- Area of ancient kingdoms and empires
- Capital city: Ouagadougou
- Most populous city: Ouagadougou
- National languages: French, Mossi, Peul, Mande
Main Attractions:
Geologic limestone formations
Hiking
Grand Mosque
Village life
Moro-Naba Palace
Royal Court
Sukhalas (traditional painted houses)
Desert architecture
Cabo Verde
- Island country consisting of 10 islands and several islets off the coast of West Africa
- Capital city: Praia
- Most populous city: Praia
- Main island: Santiago
- One of the smallest countries of the world (about the size of Rhode Island in the USA)
- National languages: Portuguese, Creole
Main Attractions:
Beaches
Colonial era architecture
Volcano landscapes
Walking and hiking trails
Water sports
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Capital city: Yamoussoukro
- Most Populous city: Abidjan
- National languages: French and over 70 African languages including Baoule, Diola, Dan, Anyin, Cebaara, and Senufo
Main attractions:
International cuisine
Art galleries
National Museum of Costumes
French colonial architecture
Royal Palace
Crocodiles at Lac aux Caimans
Mountains and waterfalls
Houphouet-Boigny Peace Foundation
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
The Gambia
- Continental Africa’s smallest country (double check this)
- Surrounded by Senegal on three sides
- Capital city: Banjul
- Most populous city: Banjul
- National languages: English, and several African languages including Mandinka, Pulaar, Wolof, Soninke, and Jola (double check)
Main attractions:
Beaches
Fishing villages
Kunteh Kinteh Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Wassau Stones (part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Circles of Senegambia)
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
Birdwatching sites
National parks
Ghana
- One of the most visited countries in West Africa
- Capital city: Accra
- Most populated city: Accra
- National languages: English, and many local languages including Twi, Fante, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Gonja, and Hausa
Main Attractions:
Slave Castles and Dungeons (World Heritage sites)
Asante Traditional Buildings (World Heritage site)
Beaches
Paragliding festival (Easter)
Manhyia Palace at Kumasi
Tafi Monkey Sanctuary
Lake Volta
Seasonal festivals
Nzulezo Stilt Village
Larabanga Mosque
Shea butter country (Tamale)
Mountains, hills, and waterfalls
Guinea
- One of West Africa’s least visited countries
- Capital city: Conakry
- Most populous city: Conakry
- National languages: French, English, Mandinke, Fulani, Arabic, Pular and many other local languages
Main attractions:
Hiking
Hills and waterfalls
Village life
Nature reserves
Beaches
Guinea-Bissau
- Sometimes confused with the country of Guinea
- Capital city: Bissau
- Most populous city: Bissau
- National languages: Portuguese, English, French, Creole, Arabic, Balante, Fulani, and many other local languages
Main Attractions:
Beaches
Sacred saltwater hippos
Historical buildings
Liberia
- Africa’s oldest republic
- Although originally inhabited by Africans, Liberia is said to be founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves
- Capital city: Monrovia
- Most populous city: Monrovia
- National languages: English and more than 20 Liberian languages including Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Dan and Kru
Main Attractions:
Mountains and waterfalls
Hiking
Water sports
Surfing
Birdwatching
Providence Island (World Heritage Site)
Former slave settlements
Mali
- Situated in the Sahel
- Capital city: Bamako
- Most populous city: Bamako
- 8th largest country in Africa
- Ancient center of Islam and learning
- National languages: French, Bambara, Fulani, Songhay, Malinke, Tuareg and several other local languages
- Unfortunately, as of this publication date, travelers are advised to avoid traveling to Mali due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping, according to the U.S. Department of State travel advisory for Mali.
Main Attractions:
Great Mosque of Djenne and Dogon Country
Bandiagara Escarpment
Timbuktu UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Desert landscapes and architecture
Mauritania
- One of Africa’s largest countries
- Capital city: Nouakchott
- Most populated city: Nouakchott
- Most of the country lies in the Sahara Desert region
- National languages: Arabic, French, Wolof, Pulaar, Soninke, Zenaga
Main Attractions:
Desert landscapes
Desert architecture
World Heritage Site (Parc National du Banc d’Arguin)
Birdwatching
Port de Peche (fish market)
Camel market
Niger
- Capital city: Niamey
- Most populated city: Niamey
- Over two-thirds of the country lies within the Sahara Desert
- National languages: French, Arabic, Buduma, Hausa, Kanuri, and many other local languages
Main Attractions:
Desert landscapes
Desert architecture
National parks
Giraffe reserve
Sultan’s Palace
Nigeria
- Capital: Abuja
- Nickname: “Nollywood”
- Most populated city: Lagos
- West Africa’s most populous country, in terms of number and diversity of people
- National languages: English, and more than 500 Nigerian languages, including Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo
Main Attractions:
Art and culture galleries
Beaches
Lagos nightlife
Freedom Park
Zuma Rock
Festivals
Music
Film industry
Fashion
Resorts
Emir’s Palace
Business opportunities
Senegal
- Capital city: Dakar
- Most populous city: Dakar
- Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites
- National languages: French, Wolof, Serer, Fulani and many Senegalese languages
Main Attractions:
National Parks
Goree Island
Bird sanctuaries
Wildlife sanctuaries
Beaches
Jazz Festival (April)
Sine Salaoum Delta
Pink Lake (Lac Rose)
Fishing village
Touba Holy City
Fashion
Music
Art
Senegalese cuisine
Sierra Leone
- Capital city: Freetown
- Most populous city: Freetown
- National language: English, Krio (Creole), Mende, Temne and other local languages
Main Attractions:
Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Beaches
Birdwatching
Wildlife (including pygmy hippos)
National parks
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade History
Togo
- Capital city: Lome
- Most populous city: Lome
- Small narrow country squeezed in between Ghana and Benin
- National languages: French and several local languages including Ewe and Kabiye
Main Attractions:
Beaches
Mountains and hills
Traditional mud tower homes and architecture
World Heritage site at Koutammakou
Art Centre
Traditional villages
Slave House