Share of countries where same-sex acts between adults are legal in Africa 2020

In Africa, 22 countries did not criminalize homosexual acts in private in 2020, accounting for 41 percent of all African countries. These countries were: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and South Africa.

Homosexuality is still criminalized

Worldwide, 71 countries criminalize homosexuality as of 2021. Most of them are located in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In 11 countries, the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility for private, consensual same-sex sexual activity. As of 2020, homosexual relations were criminalized in 32 countries in Africa. In four countries, the legislation foresees even the death for homosexual acts. These countries were Nigeria, Mauritania, Sudan, and Somalia.

LGBT+ rights in South Africa

South Africa is the only African country that has legalized same-sex marriage as well as adoption for same-sex couples. It also ranks as the second most-friendly destination in Africa for LGBT+ travelers after La Réunion. In South Africa, indeed, acceptance of homosexuality s generally higher than in other African countries. Nonetheless, also other countries in Africa have introduced laws to protect people victims of discrimination and violence motivated by their sexual orientation.