Africa is a continent of unmatched diversity, with 54 countries, thousands of languages, rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a wide variety of wildlife. It’s no surprise that trivia about Africa can be both entertaining and educational. Whether you’re a teacher, student, quiz enthusiast, or curious learner, these Africa trivia questions and answers will give you an insightful glimpse into the wonders of this incredible continent.
Africa Trivia Questions and Answers
Here’s a complete set of 101 Africa Trivia Questions and Answers, categorized with 10 Q&As per section and formatted as requested.
Geography of Africa
Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth, covering over 30 million square kilometers. Its geographical diversity makes it a treasure trove for trivia enthusiasts.
Table: Key African Geographical Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Largest Country | Algeria |
| Longest River | Nile River (6,650 km) |
| Highest Mountain | Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) |
| Largest Desert | Sahara Desert |
| Most Lakes | Uganda |
Q: What is the longest river in Africa?
A: The Nile River
Q: Which African country has the most pyramids?
A: Sudan
Q: What is the largest desert in Africa?
A: The Sahara Desert
Q: Which African lake is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area?
A: Lake Victoria
Q: What is the highest mountain in Africa?
A: Mount Kilimanjaro
Q: What ocean lies to the east of Africa?
A: Indian Ocean
Q: Which African country is landlocked and surrounded by South Africa?
A: Lesotho
Q: What is the capital city of Nigeria?
A: Abuja
Q: What river flows through the Congo Rainforest?
A: The Congo River
Q: Which African island nation is famous for its unique biodiversity?
A: Madagascar
African History
Africa’s history spans thousands of years, from ancient civilizations to post-colonial struggles and modern independence movements.
Table: Influential African Leaders
| Leader | Country | Contribution |
| Nelson Mandela | South Africa | Anti-apartheid hero |
| Mansa Musa | Mali | Wealthiest ruler in history |
| Kwame Nkrumah | Ghana | Led Ghana to independence |
| Haile Selassie | Ethiopia | Modernized Ethiopia |
Q: Which ancient civilization built the Great Pyramids?
A: Ancient Egypt
Q: Who was the first president of independent Ghana?
A: Kwame Nkrumah
Q: What was the name of the trade route that crossed the Sahara Desert?
A: The Trans-Saharan Trade Route
Q: Which empire was known for its wealth and ruled in Mali during the 14th century?
A: The Mali Empire
Q: What African country was founded by freed American slaves?
A: Liberia
Q: Which famous ancient library was located in Egypt?
A: The Library of Alexandria
Q: Who was the legendary king of the Mali Empire known for his pilgrimage to Mecca?
A: Mansa Musa
Q: What year did South Africa officially end apartheid?
A: 1994
Q: Who was the first Black president of South Africa?
A: Nelson Mandela
Q: What was the name of the South African policy of racial segregation?
A: Apartheid
African Culture
Africa is home to thousands of ethnic groups, each with their own unique customs, festivals, music, and dress codes.
Table: African Cultural Highlights
| Culture Item | Origin | Significance |
| Afrobeat | Nigeria | Popular music genre |
| Osun Festival | Nigeria | Sacred cultural event |
| Maasai Attire | Kenya/Tanzania | Cultural identity |
| Coffee Ceremony | Ethiopia | Social and cultural tradition |
Q: What is the traditional clothing worn by many Maasai people?
A: Shúkà
Q: What is the name of the African drum often used in ceremonies?
A: Djembe
Q: What popular genre of music originated in Nigeria and Ghana?
A: Afrobeats
Q: What African language is widely spoken in East Africa?
A: Swahili
Q: Which African country is known for its storytelling tradition called griots?
A: Mali
Q: What is the name of the traditional Zulu dance?
A: Indlamu
Q: Which festival in Nigeria celebrates the Yoruba culture and heritage?
A: Osun-Osogbo Festival
Q: What is the staple food made from cassava or maize in many African countries?
A: Fufu
Q: What colorful African fabric is widely worn in West Africa?
A: Kente
Q: What is the name of the Moroccan traditional garment with a hood?
A: Djellaba
African Wildlife
Africa is globally renowned for its biodiversity, with animals like elephants, lions, and gorillas roaming freely in its national parks.
Table: Iconic African Animals
| Animal | Notable Location | Unique Feature |
| Lion | East and Southern Africa | Apex predator |
| Gorilla | Rwanda/Uganda | Endangered species |
| Elephant | Botswana | Largest land mammal |
| Cheetah | Namibia | Fastest land animal |
Q: What is the largest land animal in Africa?
A: African Elephant
Q: Which big cat is native to Africa and known for living in prides?
A: Lion
Q: What animal is the fastest land mammal found in Africa?
A: Cheetah
Q: Which animal is known for its long neck and is native to Africa?
A: Giraffe
Q: What is the name of the annual animal migration in the Serengeti?
A: The Great Migration
Q: Which African animal has a name meaning “river horse” in Greek?
A: Hippopotamus
Q: What black-and-white striped animal is common in Africa?
A: Zebra
Q: What African bird is the largest living bird by height?
A: Ostrich
Q: Which reptile is known for basking along Africa’s rivers?
A: Nile Crocodile
Q: What endangered African animal has a horn and is targeted by poachers?
A: Rhinoceros
African Flags and Symbols
Q: What color is NOT commonly found on African national flags?
A: Purple
Q: What three colors are known as the Pan-African colors?
A: Red, Green, and Yellow
Q: Which country has a green flag with a white star in the center?
A: Somalia
Q: What is the symbol in the center of Kenya’s flag?
A: A shield and spears
Q: What African country’s flag has a red triangle and black star?
A: Ghana
Q: The flag of South Africa has how many different colors?
A: Six
Q: Which country’s flag features a machete and star?
A: Angola
Q: What African nation has a blue flag with a yellow cross?
A: Rwanda (old flag – note: the current flag has blue, yellow, green bands with a sun)
Q: Which African country has a cedar tree on its flag?
A: None; cedar trees appear on the Lebanese flag, not African
Q: Which animal is found on the coat of arms of Uganda?
A: Crested Crane
African Nations and Capitals
Q: What is the capital city of Kenya?
A: Nairobi
Q: What is the capital of Egypt?
A: Cairo
Q: What is the capital of Ethiopia?
A: Addis Ababa
Q: What is the capital of South Africa?
A: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Q: What is the capital of Ghana?
A: Accra
Q: What is the capital of Morocco?
A: Rabat
Q: What is the capital of Algeria?
A: Algiers
Q: What is the capital of Senegal?
A: Dakar
Q: What is the capital of Tunisia?
A: Tunis
Q: What is the capital of Uganda?
A: Kampala
African Landmarks
Q: What is the famous waterfall between Zambia and Zimbabwe?
A: Victoria Falls
Q: What ancient rock-hewn churches can be found in Ethiopia?
A: Lalibela Churches
Q: What desert covers most of North Africa?
A: Sahara Desert
Q: What famous structure in Egypt is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
A: The Great Pyramid of Giza
Q: What is the name of the ancient city in Mali known for its mud-brick architecture?
A: Timbuktu
Q: What volcanic mountain is a popular trekking destination in Tanzania?
A: Mount Kilimanjaro
Q: What pink lake is a popular tourist attraction in Senegal?
A: Lake Retba (Lac Rose)
Q: What natural landmark is shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC and is home to mountain gorillas?
A: The Virunga Mountains
Q: What huge canyon in Namibia is one of the largest in the world?
A: Fish River Canyon
Q: What rock formation in Nigeria is a national monument?
A: Zuma Rock
African Economy and Resources
Q: Which African country is the largest oil producer?
A: Nigeria
Q: What is the currency used in South Africa?
A: Rand
Q: What metal is heavily mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
A: Cobalt
Q: Which African country is a top producer of gold?
A: South Africa
Q: What crop is Ivory Coast the world’s largest exporter of?
A: Cocoa
Q: What is the primary export of Angola?
A: Oil
Q: What natural resource makes Botswana economically stable?
A: Diamonds
Q: Which East African country is famous for its coffee exports?
A: Ethiopia
Q: What North African country is a major exporter of phosphates?
A: Morocco
Q: What is a common form of informal economy in Africa?
A: Street vending
African Sports and Entertainment
Q: Which African country hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
A: South Africa
Q: Who is the famous long-distance runner from Kenya?
A: Eliud Kipchoge
Q: What sport is most popular in Nigeria?
A: Football (Soccer)
Q: What is the biggest football tournament in Africa?
A: Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Q: Who is the famous Senegalese-American singer and producer?
A: Akon
Q: What Nigerian artist is known for the hit song “Essence”?
A: Wizkid
Q: What country is known for producing top marathon runners?
A: Kenya
Q: What is the traditional wrestling sport of Senegal?
A: Laamb
Q: What African country is known for its Nollywood film industry?
A: Nigeria
Q: What famous South African comedian hosted “The Daily Show”?
A: Trevor Noah
African Politics and Leaders
Q: Who is known as the “Father of Modern Africa”?
A: Kwame Nkrumah
Q: Who was the longtime leader of Libya until 2011?
A: Muammar Gaddafi
Q: Who is the current President of Rwanda known for development reforms?
A: Paul Kagame
Q: What is the African Union’s headquarters city?
A: Addis Ababa
Q: Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for fighting apartheid?
A: Desmond Tutu
Q: What is the legislative body of South Africa called?
A: Parliament
Q: Who was Ethiopia’s last emperor?
A: Haile Selassie
Q: What was Nelson Mandela’s political party?
A: African National Congress (ANC)
Q: Which African country had a female president named Ellen Johnson Sirleaf?
A: Liberia
Q: What African leader won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019?
A: Abiy Ahmed
FAQs About Africa Trivia Questions and Answers
Q1: What is the richest country in Africa by GDP?
A: Nigeria
Q2: Which African country is the most visited by tourists?
A: Morocco
Q3: What is the name of the island group located northwest of Africa?
A: Cape Verde
Q4: Which African river flows through Egypt?
A: Nile River
Q5: Which African nation is known as the “Rainbow Nation”?
A: South Africa
Conclusion
Africa’s incredible history, dynamic cultures, vibrant cities, and stunning landscapes make it a continent worth exploring—not just physically, but intellectually. Through trivia, we can uncover fascinating facts that not only inform but also deepen our appreciation of Africa’s vast diversity. Whether you’re using this article for educational purposes, quiz nights, or personal interest, the trivia questions and answers provide a solid foundation for understanding one of the world’s most captivating continents.
So next time someone mentions Africa, you’ll be ready to share not just one, but hundreds of amazing facts that bring this continent to life.
