- While many African countries have renamed themselves to shed colonial legacies, some have opted to retain their colonial names
- Nigeria, South Africa, and Mali are among the countries that retained names rooted in colonial history
- TheRadar compiled seven of the African countries that kept their colonial names after independence
Many African nations have opted to change their names for various reasons, including political motivations and a desire to foster national pride following independence.
However, some African countries have retained their colonial names, reflecting a different approach to their historical legacies.
Here are seven African countries that have kept their colonial names:
1. Nigeria
Nigeria attained full independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960, becoming the Federation of Nigeria. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the country’s first Prime Minister.
The term "Nigeria" was introduced by British journalist Flora Shaw on January 8, 1897. The name was coined from the Niger River, which flows through the nation.
2. Guinea
Guinea officially gained independence from France on October 2, 1958, following a referendum held on September 28 regarding the French Fifth Republic’s constitution. Ahmed Sékou Touré, a leftist leader and member of the Malinké ethnic group, was designated the first president by the Constituent Assembly.
The name "Guinea" was derived from the Guinea region, which spans from the Gulf of Guinea into tropical forests and extends into the Sahel. The term originates from the Portuguese word "Guiné," first used in the 15th century to refer to the lands populated by African people south of the Senegal River.
In 1978, Guinea adopted the official name of the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea. After the passing of Sékou Touré in 1984, the nation reverted to the name Republic of Guinea.
3. South Africa
South Africa gained independence from British rule on May 31, 1910, though it underwent significant political transformation, it gained full democracy in 1994.
The name "South Africa" reflects its geographical position at the southern tip of the African continent. The name was adopted by European settlers and has been retained as a national identity since independence, signifying the country’s unique place in the continent’s geography.
4. Mali
Mali gained independence from France on September 22, 1960, with Modibo Keïta as its first president. The name "Mali" was derived from the ancient Mali Empire, which was a powerful and influential state in West Africa from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
The term "Mali" means "hippopotamus" in the Bambara language, symbolising strength and resilience. The historical significance of the Mali Empire was known for its wealth, and trade routes.
5. Cameroon
The region now referred to as Cameroon was originally named “Rio dos Camarões” (River of Prawns) by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, owing to the abundance of shrimp in the Wouri River. Over time, this name transformed into “Cameroon” during the period of British and French colonial rule. In 1884, the area was established as a German colony called Kamerun.
Following World War I, the territory was divided between France and the United Kingdom as part of League of Nations mandates, with France taking control of four-fifths of the land and the UK administering the remaining one-fifth.
Cameroon achieved independence from France in 1960 and subsequently gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961.
6. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone gained independence from British colonial rule on April 27, 1961. The name "Sierra Leone" was given by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Cintra in the 15th century, meaning "Lion Mountains."
This name was inspired by the mountainous terrain observed along the coastline, and it reflects the natural beauty of the region. The Portuguese term evolved, with the English colonial administration retaining the name as a marker of the area’s geographic features.
7. The Gambia
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland and is known for its rich diversity of ethnic groups, including the Mandinka, Fula, and Wolof.
The country gained independence from Britain on February 18, 1965. The name "Gambia" was derived from the Mandinka word "Kambra," which means "the river," specifically referring to the Gambia River that flows through the country.
This river has been central to the lives of the Gambian people, serving as a source of sustenance, transportation, and trade for centuries. Retaining the name "Gambia" at independence was a way to honour the country's natural geography and cultural heritage.
7 African countries that changed names after gaining independence
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that many African nations were named by colonial rulers like the British, French, Portuguese, Italians, and Dutch, reflecting centuries of colonisation, and foreign aggression in Africa's history.
TheRadar compiled seven of the African countries that changed their names after independence.