Top 10 countries in Africa with the largest size of parliament in 2024

LAGOS, NIGERIA - When it comes to running a country, having enough representatives in parliament plays an important role, especially in African nations where there's a wide variety of people and cultures. A large parliament helps ensure that the voices of different regions and communities are heard.

In some African countries, this means having hundreds of members working together to make decisions, create laws, and push for development. This article takes a look at the top 10 African countries with the biggest parliaments, showing how their legislative systems reflect the diversity of their people and the needs of their societies.

 10. Kenya

Total Members: 416 members

Kenya’s National Assembly has 349 members, and the Senate has 67. The National Assembly represents constituencies and passes laws, while the Senate safeguards the interests of Kenya’s 47 counties, ensuring that regional governments have a say in national governance. Kenya’s parliament has been instrumental in managing the country’s devolved system of government, which was introduced after the 2010 constitution. This system ensures that power is shared between the national and county governments, promoting a more balanced distribution of resources and political power.

 9. Nigeria

Total Members: 469 members

Nigeria, with its vast population and regions, has a House of Representatives with 360 members and a Senate with 109 members. Nigeria's National Assembly is a bicameral body, meaning it has two chambers that work together to create laws. The House of Representatives focuses on representing constituencies, while the Senate ensures equal representation of all 36 states. This structure helps Nigeria manage its complex federal system, ensuring that even minority groups and smaller states have a voice in national decisions.

 8. South Africa

Total Members: 490 members

South Africa has a National Assembly with 400 members and a Senate with 90 members. The National Assembly is responsible for lawmaking and overseeing the executive branch, while the Senate represents the provinces. Since the end of apartheid, South Africa's parliament has been instrumental in shaping laws that promote equality and human rights. The mix of proportional representation and regional representation ensures that the parliament reflects the country’s diverse population, giving voice to various political parties and movements.

 7. Sudan

Total Members: 500 members

Sudan’s parliament is made up of 450 members in the National Legislature and 50 in the Council of States. The National Legislature handles lawmaking, while the Council of States represents Sudan’s diverse regions. Following Sudan’s recent political transition, the parliament has played a crucial role in guiding the country through its ongoing democratization process. With a large number of representatives, the parliament is better equipped to address the challenges of governance, peacebuilding, and development in a country with significant regional differences and a history of conflict.

 6. Uganda

Total Members: 529 members

Uganda’s parliament, made up of 529 members, is responsible for representing the country's different regions and ensuring that policies are made to improve the lives of all citizens. In addition to regular members, Uganda’s parliament includes representatives for special interest groups, such as women, youth, and the disabled. This ensures that marginalized communities have a direct voice in the legislative process. The parliament also plays a critical role in shaping Uganda’s democracy, especially with its efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms.

 5. Algeria

Total Members: 606 members

Algeria has a National People's Assembly with 462 members and a Council of the Nation with 144 members. The National People's Assembly serves as the lower house, where laws are proposed and debated, while the Council of the Nation reviews and approves the laws. Algeria’s parliament plays an important role in the country's semi-presidential system, where power is shared between the president and the legislature. The large number of representatives reflects the need to manage the country’s complex political landscape, particularly in balancing regional demands and national interests.

 4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Total Members: 608 members

The DRC has 500 members in its National Assembly and 108 in its Senate. The National Assembly is tasked with lawmaking and oversight of the executive, while the Senate represents the provinces and provides regional balance. The DRC’s parliament has been crucial in mediating conflicts and passing laws to strengthen the central government’s reach across its vast territory. Given the country's history of conflict, the parliament plays an essential role in peace-building and promoting national cohesion.

 3. Ethiopia

Total Members: 655 members

Ethiopia's parliament consists of the House of Peoples' Representatives with 547 members and the House of Federation with 108 members. The House of Peoples' Representatives is the lower house, where laws are debated and passed. Meanwhile, the House of Federation plays a unique role by representing the country's ethnic groups and ensuring that regional interests are protected. In Ethiopia, ethnic federalism is a significant aspect of governance, making the representation of different groups critical to maintaining unity in such a diverse nation.

2. Morocco

Total Members: 665 members

Morocco’s parliament consists of 395 members in the House of Representatives and 270 in the House of Councillors. The bicameral system allows for both popular and regional representation. The House of Representatives is directly elected, while the House of Councillors is made up of representatives from local authorities, professional chambers, and trade unions. This ensures that Morocco's parliament not only reflects the will of the people but also integrates the perspectives of professionals and regional leaders in its decision-making process.

1. Egypt:

Total Members: 896 members

Egypt has the largest parliamentary body in Africa, with 596 members in the House of Representatives and 300 in the Senate. The House of Representatives holds legislative power, while the Senate acts as a consultative body. Egypt’s parliament is known for its role in stabilizing the political landscape, especially after the country's revolution in 2011. Its size allows for comprehensive debate on issues ranging from constitutional reforms to international diplomacy, ensuring the government’s accountability to its people.