From iconic historical figures to cultural symbols, each statue below represents a unique narrative and a testament to the artistic prowess of the nations that house them. Below are the Top 7 Tallest Statues in Africa as of 2024.
Top 7 Tallest Statues In Africa, 2024
1. African Renaissance Monument, Senegal (161 feet)
The African Renaissance Monument is a 49 meter tall bronze statue located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles, outside Dakar, Senegal tops the list tallest statues in Africa.
The tallest statue in Africa was designed by Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby after an idea presented by president Abdoulaye Wade and was built by Mansudae Overseas Projects, a company from North Korea.
The Construction of the bronze statue which eas estimated to had cost about $27m began in April 2008, and was completed in 2010.
2. The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt (66 feet)
The Great Sphinx of Giza is second on the list tallest statues in Africa. The statue is an immense stone sculpture of a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.
Although it no longer holds the record for the tallest statue in Africa, it still can boast of something.. Till date it still remains the largest structure created from a single piece of stone.
The greatest monumental sculpture in the ancient world, it is carved out of a single ridge of limestone 240 feet (73 meters) long and 66 feet (20 meters) high.
Modern Egyptology largely agrees that the Sphinx was built around 2500 BC during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre.
See also: 13 horrifying facts Africa you’d hate know
3. Colossi of Memnon, Egypt (60 feet)
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during Dynasty XVIII (18th Dynasty).
Each statue stands about 18 meters high (making them the third tallest statue in Africa) and resemble Amenhotep III himself. They are located on the West Bank, directly across the Nile from Thebes.
Although Both statues are quite damaged, with the features above the waist virtually unrecognizable they are still standing. And still attract a lot of tourists.
4. Moremi statue of liberty, Nigeria (42 feet)
Standing at 42-feet, Moremi Statue of Liberty in Ile-Ife, Nigeria is the tallest statue in Nigeria and fourth on the list of tallest statues in Africa.
The statue was indigenously constructed by a team of about 200 Nigerian youths with materials sourced locally from the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
See also: 5 most bizarre cultural practices from around Africa
5. Ramesses II statue, Egypt (36 feet)
The black granite statue, depicts the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Ramesses II.
Damaged during an earthquake in the fourth century. The statue was fully restored this year for the first time since its 1958–60 discovery by an archaeological team led by Mohamed Abdel-Qader when it was found in 58 pieces.
Now Measuring at 36 feet tall, the newly restored statue was unveiled on April 18 2017.. at the Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile.
6. Nelson Mandela statue, South Africa (29 feet)
There are several statues of Mandela around the world, but the statue at the Union Buildings, government headquarters, Pretoria is the tallest statue of Mandela yet.
The statue is made out of bronze, weighs 3.5 tons and had cost the South African Government R8 million to build.
The statue was created by South African sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren and was unveiled on 16 December 2013 -the Day of Reconciliation- at the Union Buildings.
7. “Jesus de Greatest”, Nigeria (28 feet)
Standing at 28 feet, “Jesus de Greatest” statue is the tallest statue of Jesus christ in Africa. It is located in St. Aloysius Catholic Church in the Abajah local government area of Imo state, Nigeria.
The magnificient statue which was carved in white marble, was commissioned in 2014 and was completed in 2016 by a Chinese company is thevseventh tallest statue in Africa.#
Modified in September, 2024
