Nigeria now holds the second-largest road network in Africa and sits at 28th worldwide, according to Global Firepower’s 2026 logistics data.
The country’s total usable roadway coverage is estimated at 195,000 kilometres. That puts Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia and Kenya on the continent, but still well behind Africa’s leader, South Africa, which has about 750,000 kilometres.
Globally, Nigeria trails far behind the biggest networks. The United States leads with 6.59 million kilometres, followed by India with 6.37 million kilometres and China with roughly 5.2 million kilometres. Brazil and Russia round out the global top five. South Africa is the only African country in the world’s top 20, coming in at 11th.
Within Africa, the ranking shapes up like this:
- 1. South Africa: 750,000 km
- 2. Nigeria: 195,000 km
- 3. Ethiopia: 180,000 km
- 4. Kenya: 161,452 km
- 5. DR Congo: 152,373 km
- 6. Tanzania: 145,203 km
- 7. Mali: 139,107 km
- 8. Algeria: 112,696 km
- 9. Zimbabwe: 97,267 km
- 10. South Sudan: 90,200 km
Global Firepower notes that the figures cover total usable roadways and are part of its broader infrastructure and logistics assessment for 2026. The organisation says road length reflects a country’s infrastructure reach and its ability to connect industrial zones, ports and terminals.
The ranking does not measure road quality, paving rate, or maintenance. It only counts total usable length.
The report was published 2 hours ago by Rachael Omidiji for Tribune Online.
