The lowest IQ countries in Africa brings to the fore the argument about whether intelligence is in born, or arises from external factors. This is one of the most contentious issues in the world, and it is one that will probably not get resolved for some time to come.
It is not even clear how this data was gathered, or the intended purposes of the publishers. However, one good that can come from this knowledge is that Africa knows where it lags behind, and can fashion out policies to get better.
Top 20 Lowest IQ Countries In Africa
1. Equatorial Guinea
Average IQ: 59
Equatorial Guinea is a country in central Africa; actually on the western coast of central Africa. This country has a population of 1.6 million people. Unfortunately, despite amazing oil wealth the country has not been able to develop to its full potential in terms of infrastructure, education, and the quality of life of its people.
Aside from the lack of quality education, the country also suffers from a lack of press freedom and access to information. This makes the country lag behind its peers in technology, in adapting to new ways of doing things, and in finding ways to build a better society.
Subsistence agriculture still dominates the country’s food production, and this greatly inhibits the chances of the country growing through agriculture. The problem with Equatorial Guinea has been traced to leadership; successive regimes have not made it their priority to elevate the living conditions of the people.
2. Mozambique
Average IQ: 64
Mozambique is a country in southeastern Africa; it has a population of 32 million. The country is described as a heavily indebted poor country; this is partly due to a bloody and costly war which raged from 1977 to 1992.
Nevertheless, the country has been seeing some economic growth and stability; with the result that the country has largely rebounded.
Mozambique still has a long way to go in terms of making education available to its people; and as a result it has one of the lowest IQs in Africa. This low IQ is evident in its position on the human development index, and also in the fact there is very little manufacturing ongoing in Mozambique; the country makes most of its revenue from mining; and the export of raw materials.
3. Gabon
Average IQ: 64
Gabon is a country in central Africa; also on the western coast of central Africa. The country has a population of around 2.3 million people, which makes it one of the smallest on the continent.
Gabon is not a very developed country; it scores quite low on the human development index, and also has an average IQ of 64. That explains why there is little manufacturing going on there, no creativity to speak of, and even in the area of sports the country is not at par with the continental powerhouses.
There is still quite some potential in Gabon; it is an important oil producer, which means there are enough resources to put towards growth and infrastructure such as education so as to create a better future for the children.
4. Cameroon
Average IQ: 64
Cameroon is located in central Africa; also on the West Coast of Central Africa. This country has a population of 27 million people; and enjoys great diversity in its population and the languages they speak, as well as religion.
Cameroon has been led by a single leader since 1982. This has left Cameroon behind in terms of the development of its political landscape; and by every other available metrics one can think of. The country has a repressed press; and as such there is very little criticism of the government, or access to information available in the country.
Without access to information the people will suffer in ignorance; and with an average IQ of 64, there is very little doubt that the country is indeed suffering in ignorance.
5. The Gambia
Average IQ: 66
The Gambia is a small country in West Africa; it is almost an enclave in Senegal, except for its western coast which meets the Atlantic Ocean. This is a very small country; its population is just about 1.8 million people.
Unfortunately these people live in poverty, and on a low level of human development. The Gambia has not had an easy political history; in this small country it is too easy to form a cult of personality and to refuse to step down after the conclusion of one’s tenure.
This lack of accountability may be because there is little access to information among the common people; and the rate of literacy is also low. This is why The Gambia has an average IQ of 66.
6. Sao Tome and Principe
Average IQ: 67
Sao Tome and Principe is a small country that is technically part of Central Africa; but that is actually located in the Gulf of Guinea. This country was actually uninhabited until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1470; and so it can be said that the country was established from its founding as a part of the Portuguese empire.
Nevertheless, this small country of around 220 thousand people has a lot of room for improvement in the structure of its society, and in the accessibility of information. The country has an average IQ of 67- which is quite poor.
But not everything about Sao Tome and Principe is poor; the country is one of Africa’s most stable economies and the democracy is also quite well entrenched.
7. Liberia
Average IQ: 67
Liberia is a country in West Africa; it has a population of around 5 million people. The country enjoys quite a lot of diversity; there are over 20 languages spoken. The land is also quite good; aside from the coasts which meets the Atlantic Ocean; there is also plenty of arable land, which means there is plenty of potential for agriculture and forestry.
Unfortunately that potential has not really been pursued; Liberia suffers from poverty, lack of infrastructure, lack of access to information, and poor healthcare delivery. The result is evident in the poor state of education in the country; the average IQ is 67.
8. Guinea-Bissau
Average IQ: 67
Guinea-Bissau is a small country in West Africa; with a population of 2 million people. Portuguese is the official language of the country; and this is only one of the very few Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.
Unfortunately, Guinea Bissau has not benefited much from its association with Portugal; this is one of the least developed countries on the continent; the country has suffered a great deal of political instability, with only one democratically elected president completing a 5 year term.
The country has been quite suppressive, and access to information is prohibitively low. The result is that the country has an average IQ of 67, and scores very low on the human development index.
9. Guinea
Average IQ: 67
Guinea is also a West African country; it is in fact a sister country to Guinea Bissau. Guinea has a population of 13 million, and is strategically located along the West African coast; giving it access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Guinea too has suffered a great deal of political instability which has stunted its growth; Guinea has not been able to make the needed investments in education, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure.
Without access to information, and such a low literacy rate, it is even surprising that the country has an average IQ of 67.
10. Eswatini
Average IQ: 68
Eswatini is a small country in southern Africa; most people still know it by its old name Swaziland. The country has a population of 1.6 million, and a land area of 17,364km2. That land is sandwiched between Mozambique and South Africa.
Eswatini has much of the influences of South Africa; it even uses the South African Rand. However, it has largely failed to adopt the high standards of education in South Africa; it is one of the countries with the lowest IQs in Africa and the world.
The following is a more extensive list of the lowest IQ countries in Africa
| Rank | Country | Average IQ | Location |
| 1 | Equatorial Guinea | 59 | West Africa |
| 2 | Mozambique | 64 | Southern Africa |
| 3 | Gabon | 64 | Central Africa |
| 4 | Cameroon | 64 | Central Africa |
| 5 | The Gambia | 66 | West Africa |
| 6 | Sao tome and Principe | 67 | Central Africa |
| 7 | Liberia | 67 | West Africa |
| 8 | Guinea-Bissau | 67 | West Africa |
| 9 | Guinea | 67 | West Africa |
| 10 | Swaziland | 68 | Southern Africa |
| 11 | Somalia | 68 | East Africa |
| 12 | Djibouti | 68 | East Africa |
| 13 | Chad | 68 | Central Africa |
| 14 | Burkina Faso | 68 | West Africa |
| 15 | Angola | 68 | Southern Africa |
| 16 | Niger | 69 | West Africa |
| 17 | Malawi | 69 | East Africa |
| 18 | Ethiopia | 69 | East Africa |
| 19 | Côte d’Ivoire | 69 | West Africa |
| 20 | Burundi | 69 | East Africa |
Related:
- Smartest Countries In Africa
- Most Intelligent Countries In The World
- Most Intelligent Prime Ministers In The World
Closing
The lowest IQ countries are mostly in west and central Africa; that proves that most of North Africa, and also Southern and Eastern Africa have done well in providing good education to their citizens, and in enabling the people to reach their full potentials.