Landlocked Countries in Africa
All 16 landlocked countries in Africa, with capitals, regions and populations.
| Country | Capital | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Gaborone | Southern Africa | 2,630,000 |
| Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | West Africa | 23,300,000 |
| Burundi | Gitega | East Africa | 13,200,000 |
| Central African Republic | Bangui | Central Africa | 5,500,000 |
| Chad | N'Djamena | Central Africa | 17,700,000 |
| Eswatini | Mbabane | Southern Africa | 1,200,000 |
| Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | East Africa | 126,500,000 |
| Lesotho | Maseru | Southern Africa | 2,300,000 |
| Malawi | Lilongwe | Southern Africa | 20,900,000 |
| Mali | Bamako | West Africa | 22,600,000 |
| Niger | Niamey | West Africa | 26,200,000 |
| Rwanda | Kigali | East Africa | 13,800,000 |
| South Sudan | Juba | East Africa | 11,000,000 |
| Uganda | Kampala | East Africa | 47,200,000 |
| Zambia | Lusaka | Southern Africa | 20,000,000 |
| Zimbabwe | Harare | Southern Africa | 16,300,000 |
What Does Landlocked Mean for African Countries?
A landlocked country has no direct access to the sea. In Africa this can be a serious economic constraint — international trade must travel overland through neighbouring countries to reach a port, adding cost and time. Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are recognized by the UN as a special category needing infrastructure investment.
However, several African landlocked nations — Botswana, Rwanda and Ethiopia — have built strong economies despite this challenge through good governance and regional cooperation.