Over the course of time, there have been a number of African Empires of varying size and influence throughout Africa's long history pre-colonial era. These empires would dominate over populations of other African states that were distinct from that of the central power. The Empires of Africa were always multicultural assimilating people outside of its founding ethnic stock.

The Largest Empires of Africa by size were:

Fatimid Caliphate - 4.1 million km² (969 AD)
Mamluke Sultanate - 2.1 million km² (in 1400 AD)
Almohad Caliphate - 2.0 million km² (in 1220 AD)
Songhai Empire - 1.4 million km² (in 1590 AD)
Aksumite Empire - 1.25 million km² (in 350 AD)
Mali Empire - 1.10 million km² (in 1380 AD)
Egyptian Empire - 1.00 million km² (in 1300 BC)
Almoravid Caliphate - 1.00 million km² (in 1120 AD))