How many countries in Africa drive on the left?

Fourteen countries in Africa drive on the left. They are concentrated in Southern and Eastern Africa, plus two island nations in the Indian Ocean. The rest of the continent follows right-hand traffic. This distribution largely reflects historical ties to Britain and regional alignment for cross-border travel and trade.

Where driving on the left is the law

The following is the definitive list of sovereign African countries that use left-hand traffic (drive on the left) as of 2025. Listed in alphabetical order, these nations generally use right-hand-drive vehicles and share regulatory practices that accommodate cross-border movement with neighboring right-hand-traffic states.

• Botswana
• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Taken together, these countries form a largely contiguous bloc from South Africa through much of Southern Africa into East Africa, with Mauritius and Seychelles as island outliers. Many of these states border right-hand-traffic neighbors, so road authorities manage lane crossover at border posts and harmonize signage to ensure safety.

Notes, exceptions and recent developments

Territories, not countries

Several African territories that are not sovereign states also drive on the left. These are often administered by the United Kingdom and follow British-style traffic rules.

• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)

These territories are geographically within the African region but are not independent countries. By contrast, French territories in or near Africa such as Réunion and Mayotte drive on the right, reflecting French traffic norms.

Countries considering or discussed switching

Rwanda and Burundi, both in the East African Community, currently drive on the right. Rwanda has periodically studied whether to switch to left-hand traffic to harmonize with regional partners, but no change has been enacted as of 2025. Most of West and North Africa, regardless of colonial history, are firmly right-hand-traffic.

Terminology and practicalities

“Left-hand traffic” (LHT) means vehicles keep to the left side of the road; most vehicles in LHT countries are right-hand-drive (RHD), with the steering wheel on the right. Travelers should note that vehicle rental fleets, road signage, and driver training in LHT countries are built around this convention, and cross-border trucking often adjusts via specialized logistics and designated lane-switch points at borders.

Why it matters

For drivers, understanding which side of the road is used affects safety, rental car choices, and route planning. For policymakers and businesses, the split influences vehicle import markets (notably from Japan and the UK for RHD vehicles), road design, and cross-border trade efficiency across Southern and Eastern Africa.

Summary

Africa has 14 left-driving countries: a Southern–Eastern corridor plus Mauritius and Seychelles. Everywhere else on the continent uses right-hand traffic. No switches have been implemented or announced that change this count as of 2025.

Why does South Africa drive on the left?

South Africa drives on the left because it was formerly part of the British Empire, and the British Empire established and enforced the rule of driving on the left. This practice was codified into law in Britain by the 18th and 19th centuries and carried over to its colonies, including South Africa. Driving on the left was also a common practice in ancient times because it allowed right-handed people to keep their sword arm free for protection.
 
Historical Context

• Ancient Origins: Historically, many people traveled on the left side of the road, particularly in societies where most people were right-handed. This kept the dominant sword arm facing oncoming traffic, providing protection. 
• British Law: In Britain, the practice of keeping to the left was eventually made law in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Highway Act of 1835 making it a nationwide rule. 
• Colonial Rule: As the British Empire expanded, it established its laws and customs in its colonies. South Africa, being a former British colony, adopted the British rule of the road to drive on the left. 

Why South Africa Kept Left

• Legacy of the British Empire: Opens in new tabThe primary reason is the enduring influence of British colonial rule, which implemented left-hand driving in South Africa. 
• Inertia and Infrastructure: Opens in new tabEven after gaining independence, changing from left-hand to right-hand driving would have been incredibly expensive and complex due to the entrenched infrastructure. 

How many countries in the world drive on the left?

Only about 70 nations stick to the left these days—accounting for around 30% of the world population—but that wasn’t always the case. Historians say ancient Romans steering chariots, Japanese samurai following narrow footpaths, and medieval pilgrims trudging to cathedrals all traveled on the left.

Why do the UK drive on the left?

The UK drives on the left due to its origins in the Middle Ages, when right-handed people kept left to keep their sword arm free for defense against oncoming strangers. This practice continued with horse-drawn carriages and was reinforced by traffic laws in 18th-century London to reduce collisions. Britain, resisting Napoleon’s influence, maintained left-hand traffic, which was then codified into law and spread to its colonies.
 
Historical Roots

• Self-Defense: Opens in new tabThe most popular theory for left-hand driving is rooted in the need for self-defense. Most people are right-handed, so traveling on the left allowed a person to keep their dominant right hand free to draw a sword or other weapon if a stranger passed by. 
• Horseback Riding: Opens in new tabWhen people rode horses, they would typically mount from the left, away from traffic. Left-hand travel also made it easier to pass another rider, keeping the right hand free to greet or defend against an approaching stranger. 

Evolution into Law

• Early Regulations: The practice was first officially enforced in Britain in the 18th century to manage increasing traffic congestion in places like London. A law was passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left. 
• The Highway Act: This “keep left” rule was adopted and formalized in the Highway Act of 1835, making left-hand driving mandatory and establishing the practice for the whole of Great Britain. 

Cultural and Political Influence

• Resistance to Napoleon: Napoleon Bonaparte’s conquests spread right-hand driving across much of Europe, as it was associated with democracy. Britain, however, continued its tradition of left-hand traffic. 
• Colonial Legacy: Britain’s left-hand traffic system was adopted by many of its former colonies, a practice that continues in various parts of the world today. 

Why does Mozambique drive on the left?

Mozambique drives on the left because, although a former Portuguese colony, it maintained the tradition of left-hand driving due to its borders with neighboring former British colonies that also drive on the left. This pragmatic approach prevented costly and unnecessary changes in traffic laws to align with different neighboring countries.
 
Here’s why this system persists:

• Historical Context: Left-hand driving was a widespread historical norm, particularly in parts of Europe, before large-scale road networks and the dominance of right-hand driving due to Napoleon’s influence. 
• Geographical Proximity: Mozambique shares borders with other countries, such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, which all drive on the left due to their past as British colonies. 
• Economic and Social Factors: Portugal itself only switched to right-hand traffic in 1928, and in many of its colonies, like Mozambique, the existing left-hand driving system was maintained. This was a practical decision to avoid disruption and the expense of changing the entire infrastructure and driver habits of the territory. 
• Lack of Intervention: Because Mozambique already had a system of left-hand driving in place and it aligned with the systems of its neighboring states, there was little incentive to implement the change to right-hand driving, which was adopted by continental Europe.