African countries that have significant number of Igbo population apart from Nigeria
The Igbo are one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. This large ethnic group is also found in many countries in Africa, with a large population in some. In this article, we take a look at African countries other than Nigeria which have significant numbers of Igbo population.
Angola
The Igbo people of Angola have a presence in the Angolan Province of Zaire, in the Northeast part of the country. They are said to have a population of about 500,000 people, who live mostly in the towns and villages along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. These Igbo immigrants are believed to have come to Angola from Nigeria during the mid-1800s and early 1900s, in search of better economic opportunities. They have been known to work in the oil, diamond and timber industries and are traditionally engaged in farming and fishing. Some of the major Igbo communities in Angola are in the towns of Sena, Quilenda and Belize.
Cameroon
The Igbo people of Cameroon are believed to be of Nigerian origin and are found mostly in the Southwest Province of Cameroon. It is estimated that around 500,000 Igbo people live in Cameroon, with the majority of them concentrated in the areas around Ebolowa and Kribi. These Igbo immigrants are thought to have migrated to Cameroon in the 19th and early 20th centuries, in search of new economic opportunities. They are traditionally engaged in fishing and farming. and have a presence in the timber, oil and diamond industries as well.
Ghana
The Igbo people of Ghana are believed to have migrated to Ghana from Nigeria in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of better economic opportunities. They are mostly concentrated in the regions of Ashanti and Volta, where they are traditionally engaged in fishing and farming. Ghana has an Igbo population of around 900,000, with the majority of them concentrated in the towns of Akatsi and Ho. In addition, the Igbo people are also found in the major cities of Accra and Kumasi.
Guinea
The Igbo people of Guinea are believed to have a population of about 70,000, with the majority of them living in the coastal regions of Guinea. These immigrants are believed to have migrated to Guinea from Nigeria in the mid-1800s and early 1900s in search of better economic opportunities. They are traditionally engaged in agriculture and fishing, but are also present in the diamond, oil and timber industries. The Igbo communities in Guinea can be found mostly in the towns of Kankan, Siguiri and Conakry.
Liberia
The Igbo people of Liberia are believed to have migrated to Liberia from Nigeria in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of new economic opportunities. It is estimated that around 800,000 Igbo people live in Liberia, with the majority of them concentrated in the regions of Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount. These immigrants are traditionally engaged in agriculture and fishing, but are also present in the timber, oil and diamond industries. The major Igbo communities in Liberia are in the towns of Buchanan, Harper, Monro and Fish Town.
Sierra Leone
The Igbo people of Sierra Leone are believed to have migrated to Sierra Leone from Nigeria in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is estimated that around 400,000 Igbo people live in Sierra Leone, with the majority of them concentrated in the Northern Province. These immigrants are traditionally engaged in farming and fishing but also have a presence in the diamond, oil and timber industries as well. The major Igbo communities in Sierra Leone can be found in the towns of Bo and Makeni.
It is clear that the Igbo people are not only found in Nigeria but also in many African countries. Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone all have significant Igbo populations. These immigrants are believed to have migrated to these countries in search of better economic opportunities, and they are largely found in the coastal regions where they are traditionally engaged in fishing and farming. In addition, they also have a presence in the diamond, oil and timber industries.
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