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Flags of Africa

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A map of Africa with national flags, excluding dependent territories and partially recognized states

These are the various flags of Africa.

Supranational and international flags

An incomplete list of flags representing intra-African international and supranational organisations, which omits intercontinental organisations such as the United Nations:

Flag Date Use Description
2010 – Flag of the African Union The flag of the African Union is a green flag with the dark green map of the African continent on a white sun, surrounded by a circle of 55 5-pointed gold (yellow) stars.
1945 – Flag of the Arab League The flag of the Arab League is two olive branches and 22 chain-links encircling a crescent and the name of the organisation (in Arabic)
2008 – Flag of the East African Community
2013 – Flag of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
2011 – Flag of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation The flag of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is white with a green crescent and globe, with the Kaaba at the center of the globe.
1960 – Flag of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
1992 – Flag of the Southern African Development Community

Flags of African sovereign states

Flag Date Use Description
1962 – Flag of Algeria
See also: List of Algerian flags		 The flag consists of two equal vertical bars, green and white, charged in the center with a red star and crescent, a symbol of Islam as the nation's prominent faith.
1975 – Flag of Angola The flag has two horizontal bands of red and black with the Machete and Gear emblem in gold in the center consisted of a five pointed-star within a half gear wheel crossed by a machete (resembling the hammer and sickle used on the Soviet flag). As outlined in the Constitution of Angola, the red half of the flag signifies bloodshed – during Angola's colonial period, independence struggle, and in defense of the country. The black half symbolizes Africa. In the central emblem, the gear represents industrial workers and production, the machete represents peasantry, agricultural production and the armed struggle, and the star, shaped like the red star, symbolizes international solidarity and progress. The yellow color of the emblem symbolizes the country's wealth.
1959 – 1975
1990 –		 Flag of Benin As stated in Benin's national anthem, the green of the flag represent the hope of a new democracy. The red represents the courage of the ancestors, and the yellow is for the treasures of the nation. On a continental level, the yellow, green and red represented the Pan-Africanist movement.
1966 – Flag of Botswana The light blue represents water—specifically, in its form of rain, as it is a precious resource in Botswana. The blue also alludes to the motto featured on the coat of arms of Botswana—Pula, which means "Let there be rain" in Setswana —as well as life, which is sustained by water.

The black band with the white frame has two meanings. Firstly, they symbolise the harmony and cooperation between the people of different races who live in Botswana, as well as the racial diversity of the country. Furthermore, they represent the stripes of the zebra, the national animal of Botswana.

1984 – Flag of Burkina Faso
1982 – Flag of Burundi
See also: List of Burundian flags		 The white color of the saltire represents peace, green represents the nation's hopes placed on future development and red symbolizes the suffering of the nation during its freedom struggle. The three stars in triangular configuration stand for the three ethnic groups of Burundi: the Hutu, the Twa and the Tutsi. The three stars also stand for the three elements of the national motto: Unité, Travail, Progrès ("Unity, Work and Progress"), which can be seen on the coat of arms of Burundi. They also represent the loyalty that the citizens of the nations have pledged to their God, king and country.
1975 – Flag of Cameroon
See also: List of Cameroonian flags
1992 – Flag of Cape Verde
Flag of the Central African Republic 1958 – Flag of the Central African Republic
1959 – Flag of Chad The flag of Chad is a vertical tricolour consisting (left to right) of a blue, a gold and a red column. These were intended to be a combination of the colours of blue, white and red as seen on the Flag of France with the Pan-African colours of green, yellow and red.[1] Furthermore, the blue represents the sky and hope; the gold is the sun and desert, and the red signifies the bloodshed over independence.[2]
2001 – Flag of the Comoros
2006 – Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
See also: List of flags of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1959 – 1970
1991 –		 Flag of the Republic of the Congo The colours of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The green symbolizes the agriculture and forests of the Congo, while the yellow represents the "friendship and nobility" of the Congolese people.[3][4] However, the symbolism behind the red was left unexplained.[3] From a continental viewpoint, the green, yellow and red are the colours of the Pan-Africanist movement.;[5]
1977 – Flag of Djibouti
1984 – Flag of Egypt
See also: List of Egyptian flags
1979 – Flag of Equatorial Guinea
See also: List of flags of Equatorial Guinea
1995 – Flag of Eritrea
See also: List of Eritrean flags
1968 – Flag of Eswatini
2009 – Flag of Ethiopia
See also: List of Ethiopian flags
1960 – Flag of Gabon The yellow alludes to the Equator — which cuts across the country[3] — and also symbolizes the sun.[6] The green epitomizes the natural resources of Gabon.[5] [6] The blue represents the sea,[5][6] specifically the South Atlantic Ocean.[3]
1965 – Flag of The Gambia The blue alludes to the Gambia River, which is the nation's key geographical feature and from which the country derives its name.[3] The red evokes the sun – given the Gambia's close proximity to the Equator[3] – as well as the savanna,[7][8] while the thin white stripes represent "unity and peace".[3][8] The green epitomizes the forest[7] and the agricultural goods that the Gambian people are heavily dependent on, both for exports and their personal use.[3]
1957 – 1958
1963 – 1964
1966 –		 Flag of Ghana
See also: List of Ghana flags
1958 – Flag of Guinea
1973 – Flag of Guinea-Bissau
1959 – Flag of Ivory Coast
1963 – Flag of Kenya
See also: List of flags of Kenya
2006 – Flag of Lesotho
1847 – Flag of Liberia
1951 – 1969
2011 –		 Flag of Libya
1958 – Flag of Madagascar
1964 – 2010
2012 –		 Flag of Malawi
1961 – Flag of Mali
2017 – Flag of Mauritania
1968 – Flag of Mauritius
See also: List of Mauritian flags

The flag of Mauritius consists of red, blue, yellow and green bands. Red represents the struggle for freedom and independence. Blue represents the Indian Ocean, in which Mauritius is situated. Yellow represents the new light of independence. Green represents the agriculture of Mauritius and its colour throughout the 12 months of the year.[9]

1915 – Flag of Morocco
See also: List of Moroccan flags
1983 – Flag of Mozambique
1990 – Flag of Namibia
1959 – Flag of Niger
1960 – Flag of Nigeria
2001 – Flag of Rwanda
Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe 1975 – Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe
1960 – Flag of Senegal
1996 – Flag of the Seychelles
1961 – Flag of Sierra Leone
1954 – Flag of Somalia
1994 – Flag of South Africa
See also: List of South African flags
2011 – Flag of South Sudan
1970 – Flag of Sudan
1964 – Flag of Tanzania
1960 – Flag of Togo
1827 – Flag of Tunisia
1962 – Flag of Uganda
1964 – Flag of Zambia
1980 – Flag of Zimbabwe
See also: List of Zimbabwean flags

Flags of African dependencies

Flag Date Use State (status) Description
1982– Flag of the Canary Islands Spain (autonomous community)
Flag of Ceuta Spain (autonomous city)
1982 – Flag of Mayotte France (overseas department)
Flag of Melilla Spain (autonomous city)
2003 – Flag of Réunion France (overseas department)


1984–
2013–
2002–		 Flag of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha United Kingdom (overseas territory)

Disputed or partially recognised states

Flag Date Use State (status) Description
1996 – Flag of Somaliland  Somalia
1975 – Flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic  Morocco (Occupied Lands),  Mauritania (Occupied City of La Agüera),  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (the Free Zone/Liberated Territories and the Claimed Inalienable Area)

Flags of African subdivisions

Angola

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Cabinda Province

Comoros

Flag Date Use Description
2012 – Flag of Anjouan
  Flag of Grande Comore
2003 – Flag of Mohéli

Egypt

Flag Date Use Description
2014 - Flag of the Alexandria Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Aswan Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Asyut Governorate
2010 - Flag of the Beheira Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Beni Suef Governorate
2007 - Flag of the Cairo Governorate
2006 - Flag of the Dakahlia Governorate
Flag of the Damietta Governorate
2011 - Flag of the Faiyum Governorate
2010 - Flag of the Gharbia Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Giza Governorate
Flag of the Ismailia Governorate
2010 - Flag of the Kafr El Sheikh Governorate
2007 - Flag of the Luxor Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Matrouh Governorate
Flag of the Minya Governorate
Flag of the Monufia Governorate
2016 - Flag of the New Valley Governorate
2016 - Flag of the North Sinai Governorate
2011 - Flag of the Port Said Governorate
Flag of the Qalyubiyya Governorate
2016 - Flag of the Qena Governorate
2006 - Flag of the Red Sea Governorate
2010 - Flag of the Sharqia Governorate
Flag of the Sohag Governorate
Flag of the South Sinai Governorate
2006 - Flag of the Suez Governorate

Ethiopia

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Afar Region
Flag of the Amhara Region
Flag of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region
Flag of the Gambela Region
Flag of the Harari Region
Flag of the Oromia Region
Flag of the Sidama Region
Flag of the Somali Region
Flag of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region
Flag of the South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region
Flag of the Tigray Region

Kenya

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Baringo County
Flag of Bomet County
Flag of Busia County
Flag of Elgeyo Marakwet County
Flag of Homa Bay County
Flag of Kilifi County
Flag of Laikipia County
Flag of Machakos County
Flag of Marsabit County
Flag of Meru County
Flag of Mombasa County
Flag of Nairobi County

Liberia

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Bomi County
Flag of Bong County
Flag of Gbarpolu County
Flag of Grand Bassa County
Flag of Grand Cape Mount County
Flag of Grand Gedeh County
Flag of Grand Kru County
Flag of Lofa County
Flag of Margibi County
Flag of Maryland County
Flag of Montserrado County
Flag of Nimba County
Flag of Rivercess County
Flag of River Gee County
Flag of Sinoe County

Nigeria

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Akwa Ibom State
Flag of Anambra State
Flag of Bayelsa State
Flag of Gombe State
Flag of Kano State
Flag of Katsina State
Flag of Osun State

São Tomé and Príncipe

Flag Date Use Description
2011 – Flag of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe

Somalia

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Banaadir
2015 – Flag of Galmudug
Flag of Hirshabelle
2013 – Flag of Jubaland
2009 – Flag of Puntland
Flag of South West

South Africa

Flag Date Use Description
1996 – Flag of Mpumalanga

Tanzania

Flag Date Use Description
2005 – Flag of Zanzibar

Flags of African cities

Main article: List of city flags in Africa

Flags of cities with over 1 million inhabitants.

Ethnic flags

Flag Date Use Description
  Batwa flag
  Bemba flag
1998 – Berber flag
  Bubi flag
2005 – Coptic flag
  Ewe flag
  Lozi flag
  Maasai flag
1997 – Merina flag
1920 – Pan-African flag

Historical flags

Flag Date Use Description
2012 – 2013 Flag of Azawad
1975 – 1990 Flag of the People's Republic of Benin
1967 Flag of the Republic of Benin
1967 – 1970 Flag of the Republic of Biafra
1962 – 1966 Flag of the Kingdom of Burundi
1966 Flag of the Republic of Burundi
1966 – 1967 Flag of the Republic of Burundi
1967 – 1982 Flag of the Republic of Burundi
1922 – 1961 Flag of British Cameroon
1957 – 1961 Flag of Cameroon
1961 – 1975 Flag of Cameroon
1876 – 1910 Flag of the Cape Colony
1975 – 1992 Flag of Cape Verde
1963 – 1975 Flag of the Comoros
1975 – 1978 Flag of the Comoros
1978 – 1992 Flag of the Comoros
1992 – 1996 Flag of the Comoros
1996 – 2001 Flag of the Comoros
1885 – 1960 Flag of the Congo Free State / the Belgian Congo
1960 – 1963 Flag of Congo-Léopoldville
File:Flag of the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) (1963–1964); Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1964–1966).svg 1963 – 1966 Flag of Congo-Léopoldville / the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1966 – 1971 Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1997 – 2003 Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
2003 – 2006 Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1970 – 1991 Flag of the People's Republic of the Congo
1949 – 1951 Flag of the Emirate of Cyrenaica
1922 – 1958 Flag of Egypt
1968 – 1973 Flag of Equatorial Guinea
1973 – 1979 Flag of Equatorial Guinea
1952 – 1962 Flag of Eritrea
1993 – 1995 Flag of Eritrea
1897 – 1914 Flag of Ethiopia
1914 – 1936, 1941 – 1974 Flag of Ethiopia
1974 – 1975 Flag of Ethiopia
1975 – 1987 Flag of Ethiopia
1987 – 1991 Flag of Ethiopia
1991 – 1996 Flag of Ethiopia
1996 – 2009 Flag of Ethiopia
1958 – 1959 Flag of French Sudan
1959 – 1960 Flag of Gabon
1889 – 1965 Flag of The Gambia
1964 – 1966 Flag of Ghana
1877 – 1957 Flag of the Gold Coast
1960 – 1963 Flag of the State of Katanga
1895 – 1921 Flag of Kenya
1921 – 1963 Flag of Kenya
1886 – 1906 Flag of the Lagos Colony
1966 – 1987 Flag of Lesotho
1987 – 2006 Flag of Lesotho
1969 – 1972 Flag of Libya
1977 – 2011 Flag of Libya
1885 – 1896 Flag of the Malagasy Protectorate
2010 – 2012 Flag of Malawi
1959 – 1961 Flag of Mali
1854 – 1857 Flag of the Republic of Maryland
1959 – 2017 Flag of Mauritania
1869 – 1906 Flag of Mauritius
1906 – 1923 Flag of Mauritius
1923 – 1968 Flag of Mauritius
1974 – 1975 Flag of Mozambique
1975 – 1983 Flag of Mozambique
1983 Flag of Mozambique
1839 – 1843 Flag of the Natalia Republic
1884 – 1888 Flag of the Nieuwe Republiek
1900 – 1914 Flag of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate
1900 – 1914 Flag of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate
1914 – 1953 Flag of Nigeria
1953 – 1960 Flag of Nigeria
1914 – 1919 Flag of Nyasaland
1919 – 1925 Flag of Nyasaland
1925 – 1964 Flag of Nyasaland
1857 – 1902 Flag of the Orange Free State
1904 – 1910 Flag of the Orange River Colony
1939 – 1964 Flag of Northern Rhodesia
1924 – 1964 Flag of Southern Rhodesia
1964 – 1968 Flag of Southern Rhodesia / Rhodesia
1968 – 1979 Flag of Rhodesia
1979 Flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
1921 – 1926 Flag of the Republic of the Rif
1959 – 1961 Flag of Rwanda
1961 – 1962 Flag of Rwanda
1962 – 2001 Flag of Rwanda
1874 – 1984 Flag of Saint Helena
1958 – 1959 Flag of Senegal
1903 – 1961 Flag of the Seychelles
1961 – 1976 Flag of the Seychelles
1976 – 1977 Flag of the Seychelles
1977 – 1996 Flag of the Seychelles
1889 – 1916 Flag of Sierra Leone
1916 – 1961 Flag of Sierra Leone
1903 – 1950 Flag of British Somaliland
1950 – 1953 Flag of British Somaliland
1953 – 1960 Flag of British Somaliland
1960 Flag of the State of Somaliland
1991 – 1996 Flag of the Republic of Somaliland
1857 – 1874, 1875 – 1877, 1881 – 1902 Flag of the South African Republic
1874 – 1875 Flag of the South African Republic
1910 – 1912 Flag of South Africa
1912 – 1928 Flag of South Africa
1928 – 1994 Flag of South Africa
1883 Flag of Stellaland
1883 – 1885 Flag of Stellaland
1956 – 1970 Flag of Sudan
1890 – 1894 Flag of Swaziland
1894 – 1902 Flag of Swaziland
1968 – 2011 Flag of Swaziland
1923 – 1961 Flag of Tanganyika Territory
1961 – 1964 Flag of Tanganyika
1957 – 1958 Flag of Togo
1958 – 1960 Flag of Togo
1914 – 1962 Flag of Uganda
1962 Flag of Uganda
1959 – 1984 Flag of Upper Volta
1971 – 1997 Flag of Zaire
1964 – 1996 Flag of Zambia
1963 – 1964 Flag of the Sultanate of Zanzibar
1964 Flag of the People's Republic of Zanzibar
1964 Flag of the People's Republic of Zanzibar

Supranational and international flags

Flag Date Use Description
1961 – 1985 Flag of the African and Malagasy Union
1948 – 1961 Flag of the East Africa High Commission
pre–2013 Flag of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
1970 – 2002, 2004 – 2010 Flag of the Organisation of African Unity / the African Union
1980 – 1992 Flag of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference
1958 – 1961 Flag of the Union of African States
1961 – 1963 Flag of the Union of African States

See also

Lists of flags of African countries
Other pages about African flags

References

  1. ^ MacDonald, Ian (20 November 2013). "Chad". Flags of the World. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ^ Minahan, James (2010). The complete guide to national symbols and emblems. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Greenwood Press. p. 806. ISBN 978-0-313-34496-1. OCLC 436221284.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Smith, Whitney. "Gambia, flag of The". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved May 21, 2014. (subscription required)
  4. ^ "Congo, Republic Of The". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley. 6 January 2009. p. 92. ISBN 9780756654863.
  6. ^ a b c "Gabon". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b Dorling Kindersley 2008, p. 77.
  8. ^ a b "Gambia, The". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  9. ^ The Government Gazette of Mauritius (2015). "THE NATIONAL FLAG ACT 2015" (PDF). The Government Gazette of Mauritius.
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