The estimate places Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia (138.9 million) and Egypt (120.1 million), which rank second and third respectively.
Africa as a whole remains the world’s fastest-growing continent, with its population projected to surpass 2.5 billion by 2050, driven by youthful demographics, high fertility rates, and improved healthcare.
Nigeria’s last official census was conducted in 2006, when the population stood at 140.4 million. Since then, growth has been tracked through projections, with the World Bank estimating a 2.1% growth rate in 2025.
The country’s median age of 18 years and fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman continue to fuel rapid expansion.
Africa’s Top 10 Most Populous Countries (2026)Nigeria - 242.4 million, Ethiopia -138.9 million, Egypt, 120.1 million, Democratic Republic of Congo, — 116.5 million,Tanzania — 72.6 million, South Africa — 65.5 million, Kenya — 58.6 million, Sudan — 53.3 million, Uganda — 52.8 million, Algeria — 48 million.
Experts say Africa’s rising population will reshape markets, investment flows, and labour dynamics, with Nigeria expected to remain a central driver of the continent’s economic growth in the coming decades.
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