Top 10 African Countries with the Highest Rates of Obesity in 2025

In Summary

• Across Africa, obesity is rising faster in urban centres than rural areas, showing how food access, transport systems, and city lifestyles shape health outcomes.
• Women in many African countries record obesity rates twice as high as men. This gender gap links to cultural ideals of body size, and economic pressures
• Egypt combines one of the continent’s highest obesity rates with some of its strongest policies, including a tax on sugary drinks and school food reforms.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, September 1 – Obesity has become one of the most measurable shifts in African health. It cuts across income levels, affects both adults and children, and forces governments to reconsider how they manage non-communicable diseases. 

Urbanisation is at the centre of the trend. In many cities, fast food and processed imports are cheaper and more accessible than fresh produce. Sedentary jobs, long commutes, and reduced physical activity add to the risk. Cultural expectations also play a role. In some societies, larger body sizes continue to signal prosperity or beauty, reinforcing the acceptance of weight gain even as health risks increase.

Yet, this story is not only about rising numbers. Governments, communities, and health advocates are responding with policies that tax sugary drinks, regulate school diets, and encourage active living. Once overshadowed by processed imports, traditional African foods are being revived for their nutritional value. The result is a continent confronting obesity with a blend of modern policy and cultural renewal.

In this article, we bring you the ten African countries with the highest obesity rates in 2025. It explains the data, the local drivers, and the specific actions underway, offering a clear view of the challenges and responses shaping the continent’s health future.

10. Mauritius 

Obesity in Mauritius stands at 13.07 percent in 2025. The trend is shaped by the island’s long history of sugar production, which influences both local food preferences and national trade. Today, processed imports and sugary drinks dominate many diets, especially in urban areas, where service jobs and busy schedules reduce reliance on traditional cooking methods. These shifts in lifestyle and consumption patterns have made obesity a persistent health concern.

The burden is visible in the rise of diabetes and hypertension, two conditions already common across the population. Health facilities are seeing growing demand for screening and treatment, stretching the resources of a system designed for smaller-scale needs. This makes obesity not just a personal risk but a wider challenge for community health planning and sustainability.

Mauritius has begun addressing the issue with national strategies that focus on prevention. Schools now run nutrition awareness campaigns and pilot healthier meal plans, while community programmes encourage the use of local produce and fresh fish. The country also benefits from its size, which allows new policies to be tested and monitored quickly. By combining school reform, dietary education, and community screening, Mauritius is creating an integrated model that other small African states can learn from.

9. Morocco 

In Morocco, 13.79 percent of adults were obese in 2025, and the pattern shows clear differences between urban and rural areas. Cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech reflect the sharpest increases, driven by changing diets, more sedentary jobs, and the rapid spread of processed and fast foods. Rural communities still rely more on traditional staples, but even there, the influence of packaged goods and sugary drinks is growing, reshaping eating habits across generations.

The health effects are already apparent. Rising obesity rates have contributed to higher cases of diabetes and hypertension, illnesses that now account for a growing share of outpatient visits. Women are more affected than men, with obesity prevalence often double, a gap shaped by cultural norms around body image and reduced access to active spaces. This gender disparity highlights how health outcomes are tied not just to food but also to social structures.

Morocco has taken important steps to confront the trend. National campaigns promote balanced diets and encourage physical activity, while urban planning projects have introduced more walkways and recreational spaces in major cities. Efforts are also underway to strengthen school nutrition by limiting access to sugary snacks and encouraging traditional meals. These measures remain early, but they signal a shift in policy and public awareness that recognises obesity as a long-term challenge for national health.

8. South Africa 

South Africa records 14.5 percent adult obesity in 2025, one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The challenge is shaped by rapid urbanisation, a large fast-food industry, and long working hours that leave many households dependent on convenience foods. Sugary drinks are a major contributor, with consumption among the highest on the continent. 

The health toll is visible in the high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases. Women bear the greatest impact, with obesity rates more than twice those of men, a reflection of cultural norms, limited access to exercise spaces, and targeted marketing of calorie-dense foods. Childhood obesity is also a growing concern in urban areas, where access to healthy school meals is uneven and sedentary leisure activities dominate.

South Africa has, however, become a leader in policy response. The government introduced a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, which has already reduced consumption, and expanded school feeding programmes to encourage healthier diets. Public campaigns highlight the risks of processed foods while promoting traditional staples such as maize, beans, and vegetables. These efforts show that while obesity remains a pressing concern, South Africa is also one of the countries taking the boldest steps to curb its growth.

7. Eswatini 

Eswatini’s adult obesity rate stands at 15.62 percent in 2025. The country’s small size makes national trends more visible, and urban areas in particular show rising dependence on processed foods and sugary beverages. Limited economic options and long periods of unemployment contribute to sedentary lifestyles, while the influence of westernised diets has increasingly displaced traditional foods like sorghum and beans.

Patterns of obesity in Eswatini show clear gender and social differences. Women record higher rates than men, reflecting cultural preferences for fuller body sizes, as well as fewer accessible options for structured physical activity. Urban households tend to have greater exposure to processed foods, while rural communities rely more on traditional diets but are not immune to the shift. These contrasts reveal how health outcomes are linked to both culture and changing economies rather than a single cause.

Eswatini has begun to act through public campaigns and health programmes that promote balanced diets and regular exercise. Schools run awareness drives, and initiatives are encouraging urban households to return to locally grown foods. Community health workers are also increasingly involved in screening and counselling. While resources remain limited, these steps show the country’s effort to slow obesity’s rise and protect younger generations from its long-term effects.

6. Algeria

Algeria records an adult obesity rate of 16.03 percent in 2025, a figure shaped by steady urbanisation and dietary changes across its major cities. The spread of packaged foods, sweetened drinks, and reduced physical activity has shifted the nutritional balance, especially in younger populations who spend more time in school or office settings. Traditional Mediterranean foods such as couscous, lentils, and vegetables remain central to Algerian diets, but their role has been gradually overshadowed by quick-service meals.

Recognising this, Algeria has invested in nationwide health awareness campaigns that encourage families to return to balanced diets rooted in traditional staples. Schools are adopting nutrition programmes to teach children the importance of portion control and daily exercise, while television and radio campaigns emphasise practical changes like reducing sugary drinks and favouring home-cooked meals. These initiatives aim not only to inform but also to shift household choices in accessible ways.

The government has also prioritised community-level solutions, such as public exercise spaces in urban centres and collaborations with local food producers to make fresh produce more affordable. Together with screening programmes for weight-related conditions, these efforts reflect Algeria’s broader strategy of preventing obesity through both education and improved access to healthier lifestyles. The approach shows a balance between recognising the challenge and strengthening cultural traditions as part of the solution.

5. Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea records 16.61 percent adult obesity in 2025. The figure reflects a clear nutrition transition concentrated in urban centres such as Port Moresby and Lae. Imported processed foods and sugary drinks have become more available while many households shift away from traditional staples like sweet potato, sago, and fresh fish. At the same time transport and work patterns in growing towns mean less daily physical activity for many people.

The pattern is mixed across the country. Rural and highland communities continue diets tied to subsistence farming and tend to show lower obesity levels. Urban households face greater exposure to packaged foods and convenience meals. Women record higher obesity in some areas, a result of social roles, economic barriers, and uneven access to safe spaces for exercise. These differences show the role of food systems and social structure rather than a single cause.

Solutions are already in place and expanding. Government and partners support school nutrition programmes that use local produce, and community gardens supply fresh food to peri-urban markets. Mobile clinics and local health workers offer routine screening and counselling. NGOs and cultural groups promote traditional foods and community activities such as dance as accessible physical activity. A distinctive local step is the Port Moresby pilot that links school feeding with nearby gardens, replacing processed snacks with root crops and vegetables. Scaling such integrated approaches ties healthier diets to local livelihoods and offers a practical path forward.

4. Tunisia

Tunisia’s adult obesity rate in 2025 is 19.92 percent, placing it among the highest in North Africa. The rise is closely linked to rapid urban living, with many households relying on quick and inexpensive meals instead of traditional home cooking. The younger generation, particularly in urban centres like Tunis and Sfax, is more exposed to processed foods and reduced physical activity, a shift that contrasts with older generations who grew up on vegetable-rich Mediterranean diets.

To address this, Tunisia has expanded public health campaigns that highlight the value of local produce and traditional meals. Schools are central to this effort, with nutrition education included in curricula and projects that introduce children to gardening and cooking with fresh ingredients. Civil society groups also organise community walks, cycling initiatives, and wellness events that encourage active lifestyles in cities where sedentary habits are more common.

Policies are being strengthened as well. The government has placed greater focus on regulating advertising for sugary snacks, particularly those targeting children, and is exploring incentives for farmers’ markets to supply fresh and affordable produce. These steps show Tunisia’s recognition that solutions must combine cultural pride in food traditions with modern public health measures. Rather than simply framing obesity as a health problem, the country is positioning its cultural identity and community involvement as part of the response.

3. Seychelles

Seychelles reports an adult obesity rate of 20.58 percent in 2025, the highest among island nations in Africa. The country’s small size and reliance on food imports play a large role in shaping eating habits. Imported processed foods are often cheaper and more widely available than fresh produce, making them a common choice in both urban and rural households. This shift has gradually reduced dependence on traditional seafood- and vegetable-based diets that once defined Seychellois cuisine.

In response, the government has integrated nutrition into its national development strategies. Health campaigns promote reduced sugar intake and encourage the consumption of local fish and fresh vegetables, while schools have introduced stronger guidelines for healthy meals. Partnerships with local farmers and fishermen also aim to make traditional produce more accessible and affordable, reducing the dominance of imported processed foods.

The country has also invested in promoting physical activity as a lifestyle. Public fitness programmes, beach sports initiatives, and active tourism campaigns not only target health but also strengthen community life. By aligning cultural traditions with modern health policies, Seychelles is addressing obesity in a way that protects public well-being while also reinforcing the island’s identity.

2. Libya

Libya’s adult obesity rate is 28.08 percent in 2025, making it the third highest in Africa. The country’s oil wealth and urban lifestyle shifts have long influenced food consumption patterns. A heavy reliance on imported foods, combined with limited opportunities for structured physical activity, has shaped rising rates of obesity. In many Libyan households, energy-dense meals and sweetened drinks are part of daily routines, while active recreation is less accessible, particularly in cities.

To counter these trends, health authorities and civil groups have turned towards education and community mobilisation. Campaigns stress moderation in diet and highlight the importance of returning to traditional foods such as dates, grains, and olive oil. In schools, nutrition lessons are paired with sports initiatives to reintroduce active routines among young people. The focus has been on teaching practical lifestyle changes that can be applied even in households heavily reliant on imported goods.

Despite challenges, Libya has seen promising local initiatives. Urban health centres now host wellness programmes, while neighbourhood groups organise collective walks and community sports to encourage participation beyond formal gyms. These efforts show that solutions are not only state-driven but also community-based, helping people engage with healthier practices despite broader national constraints. Libya’s path reflects how even in complex environments, small but steady actions can create healthier futures.

1. Egypt

Egypt records the highest obesity rate in Africa in 2025, with 32.48 percent of adults affected. The rise is shaped by rapid population growth, urban living, and dietary changes that have shifted away from traditional staples like beans, vegetables, and whole grains. Fast food chains, processed snacks, and sweetened drinks are now widely available across cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, making calorie-dense diets a daily reality. Combined with sedentary work patterns and reduced physical activity, these factors have driven Egypt’s obesity levels far above the continental average.

The government has responded by scaling up policies that directly target unhealthy consumption. A sugar tax was introduced on soft drinks, while advertising restrictions now limit the marketing of high-calorie foods to children. School feeding programmes are being redesigned to include more fruits and vegetables, and urban planning projects are beginning to integrate walking tracks and recreational parks. These measures are part of a larger push to address non-communicable diseases through prevention rather than treatment.

Beyond state policy, Egyptian civil society has become increasingly active in promoting healthier living. Fitness campaigns on television and social media have gained traction, while community-led initiatives encourage exercise through sports clubs, group walks, and women-focused health programmes. By combining cultural awareness with practical reforms, Egypt is recognising obesity not just as a medical issue but as a national priority that requires collective effort across society.