Nigeria has the second-longest road network in Africa, covering about 195,000 kilometres, according to data published by Global Firepower in 2026.
South Africa tops the continent with 750,000km of roads and ranks 11th globally. Nigeria comes 28th worldwide, ahead of Ethiopia and Kenya.
Ethiopia ranks third in Africa with 180,000km, followed by Kenya with 161,452km. The Democratic Republic of Congo is fifth with 152,373km, while Tanzania occupies sixth place with 145,203km.
Mali ranks seventh with 139,107km, followed by Algeria (112,696km), Zimbabwe (97,267km) and South Sudan (90,200km).
According to Global Firepower’s 2026 publication, the figures represent the “total usable or useful roadway coverage” and form part of its logistics ranking.
The organisation noted that road networks are an indicator of infrastructure development, providing access to industrial areas, ports and other key terminals.
Globally, the United States has the world’s largest road network at 6,586,610km, followed by India with 6,371,847km and China with about 5.2 million kilometres. Brazil ranks fourth with roughly 2 million kilometres, while Russia is fifth with 1,283,387km.
South Africa is the only other African country among the global top 20, ranking 11th. Nigeria’s 195,000km places it 28th globally, while Ethiopia and Kenya rank 30th and 32nd respectively.
The ranking focuses on the length of roadway coverage, rather than the quality or condition of the roads or the percentage that is paved.
