The huge 'nation' that doesn't exist yet but could become Africa's newest country

By Max Parry, News Reporter

Panoramic view at the city bussiness district of Kigali (Image: Getty)

The creation of brand-new countries is rare and can be troublesome, but that doesn't stop some from trying to make it happen. One of the most significant and most likely to be created in the near future is the East African Federation (EAF).

The EAF is not a new idea. It actually originates from the early 1960s, although some of the states in line for involvement in the EAF at the time no longer exist.

The original line-up that would dissolve to form the EAF was Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar. Tanganyika and Zanzibar and no longer exist, with the pair combining to form Tanzania in 1964.

Now, the EAF would comprise eight states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia and Uganda.

The DRC is rich in resources (Image: Getty)

At 2,104,147 sq mi, the EAF would be the second-largest continent's largest country, and the world’s seventh, surpassing India. It would also span the breadth of the African continent, with coasts looking out of the Indian Ocean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

The new country would have around 350 million people, around 15 million more than the United States. The rough GDP per capita would be $2,991 (£2,315). 

Plus, if it came to pass, the EAF would have a GDP of approximately $275 billion (£212bn). That would make it one of Africa’s largest economies. Only South Africa at $401 billion (£310bn) and Egypt at $348 billion (£269bn) would be larger.

However, there are some major obstacles.

There remains high tensions between many states in the proposed federation (Image: Getty)

There are tensions between Rwanda and Burundi. In January 2024, the border was closed and the UK government strongly advises UK nationals not to travel there as its too dangerous.

There are also dangers associated with travel between the borders of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. "The eastern part of DRC near the Rwanda border remains unstable, and conflict can happen with little notice", the UK Foreign Office website states.

If the EAF is to happen, it is presumed that these tensions would need to be quelled.