Countries in Southern Africa
South Africa
Angola
Mozambique
Malawi
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Botswana
Namibia
Lesotho
Eswatini
About Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost of the continent's five regions, ringed by ocean on three sides and home to a striking mix of economic profiles — from South Africa's industrial diversified economy to small mineral-led economies, low-income agricultural producers, and the kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho. Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Lesotho make up the regional grouping.
People and languages
The Cape and the Highveld supported some of Africa's earliest urbanisation under colonial rule, and the region today is among the most highly urbanised on the continent — particularly South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. English is the most common official language, often shared with one or more Bantu languages: Zulu and Xhosa in South Africa, Setswana in Botswana, Sesotho in Lesotho, Chewa in Malawi, Shona and Ndebele in Zimbabwe. Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique.
Economy
South Africa is the most industrially diversified economy on the continent and dominates the region's GDP. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is the principal regional bloc; the Southern African Customs Union — South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho — is one of the world's oldest. Mining (platinum, gold, diamonds, copper, coal), agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism account for most of the regional output, with newer roles in fintech and renewable energy growing in South Africa and Namibia in particular.
How to read this regional view
Country profiles for each Southern African country follow. To compare the regions side-by-side, return to the regions overview; to see all 54 countries together, the country directory is sortable and searchable.
Last reviewed: 28 April 2026. Figures on the country cards are revised when underlying source organisations publish new releases.