Landlocked Countries in Africa
All 16 landlocked countries in Africa, with capitals, populations and the ports they rely on.
Last updated: September 2026
Africa has 16 landlocked countries, more than any other continent: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Together they have about 388 million people. Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world, and Chad is Africa's largest landlocked country by area.
| Country | Capital | Region | Population | Area | Main sea ports used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Gaborone | Southern Africa | 2.52 million | 581,730 km² | Durban (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia) |
| Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | West Africa | 23.5 million | 272,967 km² | Abidjan, Lomé, Tema |
| Burundi | Gitega | East Africa | 14.0 million | 27,834 km² | Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) |
| Central African Republic | Bangui | Central Africa | 5.3 million | 622,984 km² | Douala (Cameroon) |
| Chad | N'Djamena | Central Africa | 20.3 million | 1,284,000 km² | Douala (Cameroon) |
| Eswatini | Mbabane | Southern Africa | 1.24 million | 17,364 km² | Maputo (Mozambique), Durban |
| Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | East Africa | 132.1 million | 1,104,300 km² | Djibouti |
| Lesotho | Maseru | Southern Africa | 2.34 million | 30,355 km² | Durban (South Africa) |
| Malawi | Lilongwe | East Africa | 21.7 million | 118,484 km² | Nacala and Beira (Mozambique) |
| Mali | Bamako | West Africa | 24.5 million | 1,240,192 km² | Dakar, Abidjan |
| Niger | Niamey | West Africa | 27.0 million | 1,267,000 km² | Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo) |
| Rwanda | Kigali | East Africa | 14.3 million | 26,338 km² | Mombasa (Kenya), Dar es Salaam |
| South Sudan | Juba | East Africa | 11.9 million | 619,745 km² | Mombasa; oil via Port Sudan |
| Uganda | Kampala | East Africa | 50.0 million | 241,550 km² | Mombasa (Kenya) |
| Zambia | Lusaka | East Africa | 21.3 million | 752,612 km² | Dar es Salaam, Durban, Walvis Bay |
| Zimbabwe | Harare | East Africa | 16.6 million | 390,757 km² | Beira (Mozambique), Durban |
Population: UN 2024 estimates. Regions follow the UN grouping, which places Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in East Africa. Main ports are the usual trade routes, not the only ones.
Landlocked Countries by Region
- East Africa (8): Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- West Africa (3): Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
- Southern Africa (3): Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho
- Central Africa (2): Central African Republic, Chad
- North Africa (0): every North African country has a coastline
What Being Landlocked Means
A landlocked country has no coastline, so its sea trade must cross at least one neighbour to reach a port. This adds cost and delay: goods from Kampala travel over 1,000 km by road or rail to Mombasa, and Ethiopia sends most of its trade through Djibouti. The UN recognises these countries as Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and regional corridors such as the Northern Corridor (Mombasa–Kampala–Kigali) and the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway were built to cut costs.
Being landlocked is not destiny: Botswana grew into an upper-middle-income country on diamond exports, and Rwanda has attracted investment as a services hub. Lesotho is unusual as one of only three countries in the world completely surrounded by another country (South Africa). Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea became independent in 1993, and South Sudan became landlocked on independence in 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many landlocked countries are in Africa?
16: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
What is the largest landlocked country in Africa?
Chad is the largest by area (about 1,284,000 km²), just ahead of Niger and Mali. Ethiopia is the largest by population, with about 132 million people.
Is Ethiopia landlocked?
Yes. Ethiopia has been landlocked since Eritrea became independent in 1993. Most of its foreign trade passes through the port of Djibouti.
Which African country is surrounded by South Africa?
Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa. Eswatini is also landlocked but borders both South Africa and Mozambique.