Roads, total network in Africa
Africa: Roads, total network was 39,477 km in 2006. ◆ Volatile
Roads, total network in Africa, 1990–2006
Source: International Road Federation, World Road Statistics and electronic files, except where noted. Measured in km.
Analysis
The most recent figure for roads, total network in Africa is 39,477 km, measured in 2006. That is the lowest value across all 17 years on record.
The figure is down 76.9% on the previous year and down 97.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, roads, total network in Africa peaked at 1.88 million km in 1996 and was at its lowest, 39,477 km, in 2006.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Roads, total network in Africa, year by year
| Year | km | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.40 million km | — |
| 1991 | 1.24 million km | -11.4% |
| 1992 | 1.28 million km | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 1.61 million km | +25.9% |
| 1994 | 1.37 million km | -14.9% |
| 1995 | 1.75 million km | +28.1% |
| 1996 | 1.88 million km | +7.5% |
| 1997 | 1.77 million km | -6.1% |
| 1998 | 1.59 million km | -9.8% |
| 1999 | 1.70 million km | +6.7% |
| 2000 | 1.70 million km | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 682,968 km | -59.7% |
| 2002 | 289,603 km | -57.6% |
| 2003 | 408,911 km | +41.2% |
| 2004 | 1.14 million km | +178.7% |
| 2005 | 170,680 km | -85.0% |
| 2006 | 39,477 km | -76.9% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Roads, total network in Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +178.7% | 408,911 km | 1.14 million km |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.56 million km | 1.24 million km | 1.88 million km | 10 |
| 2000s | 632,520 km | 39,477 km | 1.70 million km | 7 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 1 South Africa 362,099 km compare
- 2 Nigeria 193,200 km compare
- 3 Democratic Republic of Congo 153,497 km compare
- 4 Egypt 137,430 km
- 5 Algeria 113,655 km compare
More infrastructure data for Africa
- Proportion of children moderately or severely stunted 30.3% (2024)
- Proportion of children moderately or severely overweight 4.5% (2024)
- Proportion of the target population who received 3 doses of 76.0% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.9% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.6% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 2.7% (2024)
- Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global 1.8% (2024)
- Total official flows for infrastructure, by recipient countries 17,916 (2024)
- Total reserves in months of imports 8.09 (2024)
- Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk of extinction 28.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is roads, total network in Africa?
- Roads, total network in Africa was 39,477 km in 2006, according to International Road Federation, World Road Statistics and electronic files, except where noted.
- What is the highest roads, total network recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.88 million km in 1996.
- What is the lowest roads, total network recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 39,477 km in 2006.
- How does Africa rank for roads, total network?
- Africa ranks 2nd out of 4 groups with data for 2006.
- Is roads, total network rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 97.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Road Federation, World Road Statistics and electronic files, except where noted, published as part of Roads, total network (km). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total road network includes motorways, highways, and main or national roads, secondary or regional roads, and all other roads in a country. A motorway is a road designed and built for motor traffic that separates the traffic flowing in opposite directions.