Africa is a continent of diverse cultures and histories, shaped by a complex blend of ancient traditions and colonial legacies. While many African nations reclaimed their identities by renaming themselves after independence, a few still retain names given during colonial rule. These names, often tied to foreign explorers, concepts, or languages, remain a testament to historical connections that continue to shape modern national identities. Below are five African countries still using their colonial names.
- Nigeria
The name Nigeria originates from the River Niger, which flows through the country. It was coined in the late 19th century by British journalist Flora Shaw, who later became Lady Lugard. Derived from the Latin word niger, meaning “black,” the name reflects the European perception of the region. Despite gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has retained this colonial designation, which overshadows the nation’s rich ethnic and linguistic diversity.
- Sudan
Derived from the Arabic term Bilad al-Sudan, meaning “Land of the Blacks,” the name Sudan was used by Arab traders long before European colonisation. However, the British and Egyptians solidified their use during their joint rule over the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following independence in 1956, Sudan kept its colonial-era name, despite the name’s connection to external narratives about race and geography.
- Ghana
While Ghana itself does not fit this list, as it adopted a precolonial name upon independence, its neighbouring country, the Gold Coast, kept its colonial name. Historically linked to European traders’ pursuit of gold, it was renamed Ghana to harken back Africa’s status.
- Sierra Leone
Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra named the area Serra Leoa (“Lion Mountains”) in 1462, inspired by the mountainous landscape near present-day Freetown. The British later adopted and anglicised the name during their colonisation of the region in the 19th century. The country’s official name, Sierra Leone, still reflects its colonial origins despite its independence in 1961.
- Gabon
Gabon’s name comes from the Portuguese word Gabão, meaning “cloak,” referring to the shape of the Komo River estuary, which resembles a hooded cloak. The name was adopted during early Portuguese exploration in the 15th century and persisted under French colonial rule. After gaining independence in 1960, Gabon chose to keep the colonial-era name, which holds little connection to local languages or cultures.
- Cameroon
Cameroon derives its name from the Portuguese word Rio dos Camarões (“River of Prawns”), a reference to the abundance of shrimp in the Wouri River. German colonisers later simplified the name to Kamerun, and the French and British adopted the anglicised Cameroon during their mandates over the region. Since independence in 1960, the name has remained unchanged, despite its colonial and European roots.