Had the December 7, 2025, coup attempt in Benin succeeded, it would have marked the ninth military takeover in West Africa over the past five years, thereby worsening regional instability. 

Using insights from Voice of America (VOA) Research, this graphic shows the trend of coups across African countries. 

TL;DR

• Africa has been the world’s coup capital since 1950, with 220 attempted coups and 109 successful ones, outpacing Latin America.
• West Africa leads with about 47% of attempts and 57% of successes.

African Countries and Their Coup Trends

Since 1950, Sudan has experienced the most coup attempts in Africa, with 18, followed by Burundi with 11. 

Countries like Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Sierra Leone each faced about 10 tries. 

This illustrates the challenges many post-colonial African nations face in achieving political stability.

Countries With the Most Successful Coups

In terms of successful coups, Burkina Faso leads with nine, followed by Sudan, Benin, and Nigeria, each with six. 

This pattern reveals countries that tend to experience military takeovers lasting up to 7 days. 

Often, these successful coups occur because leaders are unable to address extremism (especially religious), economic problems, or abuses of power (as seen recently in Burkina Faso and Mali).

Sudan also has the most failed coup attempts, with 12. Burundi has 6, and countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone each have 5. 

However, the persistence of coups reflects deep-seated problems that undermine the legitimacy of governments in fragile nations.

Half of All Coups in the Continent Happened in West Africa

West Africa accounts for nearly half of Africa’s coup attempts since 1950, comprising approximately 47% of the total of 220 attempts. 

In all, there have been 103 attempts and 59 successful coups in the region. 

This includes the Sahel region, where numerous attempts are underway amid multifaceted challenges, including poverty and security issues.

Most of the successful coups in Africa have occurred in West Africa, accounting for approximately 57% of the continent’s 109 successful coups. 

Here, Burkina Faso has recorded the highest number, at 9, followed by Nigeria at 6. 

North Africa isn’t far behind, with Sudan alone having 18 coup attempts and six successful ones.

The Sahel area, which stretches across West and Central Africa, often sees coups because of the ongoing jihadist insurgencies and widespread poverty that make the region unstable. 

However, Southern Africa is commendable for having the fewest coups, with only 10 attempts and four successes. 

So, What Really Drives Coups in Africa? 

Weak institutions are a significant factor contributing to many coups in Africa. 

Problems such as mismanagement of diversity, human rights abuses, and constitutional amendments can weaken governance. 

As a result, poorer countries with unstable democracies are most at risk, and twelve out of fifteen vulnerable African states that have experienced successful coups are proof of this. 

Economic difficulties also contribute. 

In Mali and Gabon, coups happened after elections that many thought were unfair or irregular.

International factors also play a role. When the UN fails to act due to vetoes, it allows military groups to act with impunity. 

This creates a cycle of coups and ongoing power struggles. 

How Africa Compares Globally

Source: Powell and Thyne’s data

Africa has the highest number of coup attempts worldwide since 1950, with 220 recorded instances. 

That’s more than Latin America’s 146 and way more than other regions. 

Approximately 45% of all 492 attempts occurred in Africa, underscoring the continent’s vulnerability to political instability.

ELI5: Trend of Coups in African Countries

Coup d’états are surprise takeovers in which the military seizes control of a nation’s government. Africa has experienced more coups than any other region since 1950, with 220 attempts and 109 successes, surpassing even Latin America. 

Many countries face problems that weaken their governments, with Sudan recording the highest number of coups, including 18 trials and six successful ones. 

West Africa is the worst region, claiming nearly half of all coups and over half of the successes, especially in the dry Sahel area, where insurgencies and corrupt leaders cause issues.

Sources: 

VOA News | Journal of Peace Research | Powell and Thyne’s data