Major Occupations in all 54 African Countries
Check the major occupations in all 54 African countries in 2024. Africa is a continent with diverse economies and occupations, heavily influenced by geography, resources, and cultural traditions. Below is an overview of the major occupations in each African country, categorized by region and economic activities.
North Africa
The economies in North Africa are often driven by oil, gas, and agriculture, with growing tourism and services sectors.
- Algeria: Oil and gas extraction, agriculture (dates, grains), and construction.
- Egypt: Tourism, agriculture (cotton, wheat), and manufacturing (textiles, chemicals).
- Libya: Oil and gas production, government services, and trade.
- Morocco: Agriculture (olives, citrus), mining (phosphates), and handicrafts.
- Sudan: Agriculture (sorghum, sesame), livestock herding, and gold mining.
- Tunisia: Tourism, textiles, and agriculture (olive oil, dates).
West Africa
West Africa’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, mining, and trade playing dominant roles.
- Benin: Agriculture (cotton, palm oil), fishing, and trade.
- Burkina Faso: Subsistence farming (millet, sorghum) and gold mining.
- Cape Verde: Tourism, fishing, and remittances.
- Côte d’Ivoire: Cocoa and coffee farming, rubber, and oil production.
- Gambia: Tourism, groundnut farming, and fishing.
- Ghana: Gold mining, cocoa farming, and oil production.
- Guinea: Bauxite mining, agriculture, and fishing.
- Guinea-Bissau: Cashew production, fishing, and subsistence farming.
- Liberia: Rubber production, iron ore mining, and subsistence farming.
- Mali: Gold mining, livestock herding, and cotton farming.
- Niger: Uranium mining, subsistence farming, and livestock.
- Nigeria: Oil and gas production, agriculture (cassava, yams), and trade.
- Senegal: Fishing, peanut farming, and tourism.
- Sierra Leone: Diamond mining, fishing, and rice farming.
- Togo: Phosphate mining, cotton farming, and trade.
Central Africa
Central Africa’s economies are largely resource-based, with forestry and mining being key.
- Angola: Oil and diamond production, agriculture, and fishing.
- Cameroon: Cocoa and coffee farming, timber, and oil production.
- Central African Republic: Diamond mining, subsistence farming, and forestry.
- Chad: Cotton farming, livestock, and oil production.
- Congo (Brazzaville): Oil production, timber, and fishing.
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Mining (cobalt, copper), agriculture, and forestry.
- Equatorial Guinea: Oil production, timber, and fishing.
- Gabon: Oil production, logging, and manganese mining.
East Africa
East Africa is known for agriculture, tourism, and emerging tech industries.
- Burundi: Subsistence farming (coffee, tea), livestock, and trade.
- Comoros: Vanilla, ylang-ylang farming, and fishing.
- Djibouti: Trade and logistics, livestock, and tourism.
- Eritrea: Agriculture, fishing, and mining (gold, copper).
- Ethiopia: Coffee farming, textiles, and tourism.
- Kenya: Tea and coffee farming, tourism, and technology.
- Madagascar: Vanilla farming, fishing, and textile production.
- Mauritius: Tourism, sugarcane farming, and financial services.
- Rwanda: Coffee farming, tourism, and technology.
- Seychelles: Tourism, fishing, and trade.
- Somalia: Livestock herding, fishing, and trade.
- South Sudan: Oil production, subsistence farming, and fishing.
- Tanzania: Tourism, coffee farming, and mining.
- Uganda: Coffee farming, fishing, and technology.
Southern Africa
The region has a mix of mining, agriculture, and services, with strong tourism sectors.
- Botswana: Diamond mining, cattle ranching, and tourism.
- Eswatini (Swaziland): Sugarcane farming, forestry, and textiles.
- Lesotho: Textile manufacturing, subsistence farming, and remittances.
- Malawi: Tobacco farming, fishing, and tea production.
- Mozambique: Fishing, agriculture (cashews, sugar), and natural gas.
- Namibia: Diamond mining, livestock, and fishing.
- South Africa: Mining (gold, platinum), manufacturing, and services.
- Zambia: Copper mining, maize farming, and tourism.
- Zimbabwe: Tobacco farming, mining, and services.
Key Trends Across Africa
- Agriculture:
Many African nations rely heavily on farming, with crops like cocoa, coffee, cotton, and tea being major exports. - Mining and Natural Resources:
Africa is rich in minerals like gold, diamonds, uranium, and oil, making mining a significant occupation. - Tourism:
Countries with natural attractions, such as Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa, have thriving tourism industries. - Emerging Industries:
Technology hubs are rising in East and West Africa, with Kenya and Nigeria becoming key players. - Fishing and Livestock:
Coastal countries and regions with vast savannahs depend on fishing and livestock herding.
These occupations highlight the rich diversity of Africa’s economies, shaped by its geography, natural resources, and cultural heritage.