Kwame Nkrumah Ghanaian nationalist leader Kwame Nkrumah, shown here with Ghana's flag, led the push for independence from Britain and became prime minister of the newly independent country in 1957. (more) What Is the First Sub-Saharan African Country to Gain Independence? Written by Amy McKenna Amy McKenna is a senior editor, primarily focused on geography and history matters pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. She joined Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2004. She was previously employed by Standard... Amy McKenna Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 10, 2026 •History Following a long period of European administration in Africa, in the 20th century many colonies agitated to regain their freedom. In sub-Saharan Africa, the first European colony to gain independence was Great Britain’s Gold Coast, which became independent under the name of Ghana on March 6, 1957. Beginning in the 1400s, European powers explored the world and staked their claims, including in Africa. Beginning in the late 1800s, with the so-called Scramble for Africa, colonization...

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