Africa has produced Guinness World Records holders in athletics, football, cooking, visual arts, entertainment, education and other unusual fields. Some have broken records at major international sporting competitions, while others have achieved extraordinary feats in their home countries.
The following are 30 remarkable records achieved by Africans from different countries and across different fields.
1. Wayde van Niekerk – Fastest 400 Meters by a Male Athlete
Country: South Africa
Wayde van Niekerk made athletics history at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games when he ran the men's 400 meters in 43.03 seconds.
He achieved the record on 14 August 2016 while winning Olympic gold. His performance broke the previous world record of 43.18 seconds, which American athlete Michael Johnson had held since 1999.
Van Niekerk became the first athlete to run the distance in under 43.10 seconds, establishing one of the most memorable performances in Olympic athletics history.
2. Haile Gebrselassie – Six World Championship Medals in the Men's 10,000 Meters
Country: Ethiopia
Ethiopian distance-running legend Haile Gebrselassie won six medals in the men's 10,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships between 1993 and 2003.
His collection included four consecutive gold medals in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999, followed by bronze in 2001 and silver in 2003.
Guinness World Records recognizes his six-medal achievement in the event, reflecting his remarkable consistency across three decades.
3. Kenenisa Bekele – Six World Cross Country Championship Long-Course Titles
Country: Ethiopia
Kenenisa Bekele established himself as one of the greatest cross-country runners through his performances at the World Cross Country Championships.
He won the men's long-course individual title six times, securing victories in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Bekele also won the short-course individual competition five consecutive times between 2002 and 2006. His achievements placed him among the most successful athletes in the history of international cross-country running.
4. Lamecha Girma – Fastest 3,000-Metre Steeplechase
Country: Ethiopia
On 9 June 2023, Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma set the men's 3,000-metre steeplechase world record at a Diamond League meeting in Paris, France.
He completed the distance in 7 minutes 52.11 seconds, taking approximately 1.5 seconds off the previous world record, which had stood for 19 years.
The performance established Girma as the first athlete to run the event in under 7 minutes 53 seconds.
5. Emmanuel Wanyonyi – Fastest 1,000 Metres by a Male Athlete
Country: Kenya
Kenyan middle-distance runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi added another international record to his achievements on 10 July 2026.
Competing at a Diamond League meeting in Monaco, he completed the 1,000 meters in 2 minutes 11.83 seconds.
His performance broke the previous record of 2 minutes 11.96 seconds, which had been set by fellow Kenyan Noah Ngeny in 1999.
Wanyonyi achieved the record during his first competitive appearance at the distance.
6. Faith Kipyegon – Fastest 1,500 Meters by a Female Athlete
Country: Kenya
Faith Kipyegon has repeatedly rewritten the record books in women's middle-distance running.
On 5 July 2025, she ran the 1,500 meters in 3 minutes 48.68 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, United States.
She improved her own previous world record by 0.36 seconds.
The achievement added another milestone to a career that already included multiple Olympic and World Athletics Championship titles.
7. Beatrice Chebet – First Woman to Run 5,000 Meters Under 14 Minutes
Country: Kenya
Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet made history on 5 July 2025 when she completed the women's 5,000 meters in 13 minutes 58.06 seconds.
The race took place at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
Chebet became the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the event. Her performance established a new world record and represented a significant milestone in women's distance running.
8. Sabastian Sawe – First Man to Run a Competitive Marathon Under Two Hours
Country: Kenya
Sabastian Sawe entered athletics history on 26 April 2026 at the London Marathon.
He completed the 42.195-kilometre race in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, becoming the first man to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.
His performance broke the previous world record by more than one minute.
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha also finished under two hours in the same race, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo finished third.
9. Tamirat Tola – Fastest New York City Marathon by a Male Runner
Country: Ethiopia
Ethiopian distance runner Tamirat Tola set a new men's course record at the New York City Marathon on 5 November 2023.
He completed the race in 2 hours 4 minutes 58 seconds, breaking a course record that had stood for 12 years.
Tola was already an established international athlete, having won the marathon world championship in 2022.
His New York performance added another major international achievement to Ethiopia's history in long-distance running.
10. Tuedon Morgan – Half Marathons Across Seven Continents and the North Pole
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian runner Tuedon Morgan achieved an unusual endurance record by completing a half marathon on every continent and the North Pole Marathon.
Between 8 February and 12 April 2015, she completed the required races in 62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds.
Her journey included races in Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Antarctica, followed by the North Pole Marathon.
The achievement earned her a Guinness World Records title for the fastest time to complete a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole Marathon by a female runner.
11. Chinonso Eche – 133 Consecutive Football Touches While Balancing a Ball on His Head
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian football freestyler Chinonso Eche, popularly known as Amazing Kid Eche, has achieved several Guinness World Records titles.
On 1 February 2023, he completed 133 consecutive football touches in one minute while balancing a football on his head.
The achievement took place on the television programme Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, Italy.
Eche had previously established multiple football freestyle records, including 197 touches while seated and balancing a ball on his head in one minute.
12. Paul Kehinde – 221-Kilogram Para Powerlifting Record
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian para powerlifter Paul Kehinde achieved an outstanding strength record in the men's under-65-kilogram category.
On 19 February 2018, he lifted 221 kilograms at the 9th Fazza World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Kehinde broke his own previous record of 220.5 kilograms, which he had established at the World Championships in December 2017.
His achievement demonstrated the high level of competition in international para powerlifting.
13. Hilda Baci – Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian chef Hilda Baci, whose real name is Hilda Effiong Bassey, became internationally recognised in May 2023 after completing a cooking marathon lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes.
Her attempt took place in Lagos between 11 and 15 May 2023.
She cooked more than 100 pots of food during the attempt. Guinness World Records officially confirmed the achievement on 13 June 2023 after reviewing the evidence.
Although she initially attempted 100 hours, nearly seven hours were deducted because of an issue involving her permitted rest breaks.
Her record was subsequently broken by Ireland's Alan Fisher in November 2023, followed by Liberian-born Australian chef Evette Quoibia in February 2024.
14. Hilda Baci – Largest Serving of Nigerian-Style Jollof Rice
Country: Nigeria
Hilda Baci returned to the Guinness World Records in September 2025 with another major cooking achievement.
Working with Nigerian food brand Gino, she prepared 8,780 kilograms of Nigerian-style jollof rice in Victoria Island, Lagos, on 12 September 2025.
The enormous serving earned the Guinness World Records title for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
More than 16,600 portions were distributed after the cooking event, including food supplied to local communities.
15. Samson Ajao – Longest Marathon Reading Aloud
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian reader Samson Ajao set the record for the longest marathon reading aloud after completing an extraordinary reading session lasting 215 hours and 2 seconds.
His attempt took place in Osogbo, Osun State, between 6 and 15 May 2024.
Ajao's achievement surpassed the previous record and attracted attention to reading and literacy in Nigeria.
The Guinness World Records title recognized the total duration of his verified reading marathon.
16. Roselyn Akosua Mantey – Longest Marathon Applying Makeup
Country: Ghana
Ghanaian makeup artist Roselyn Akosua Mantey established the record for the longest marathon applying makeup.
She completed an attempt lasting 103 hours, 25 minutes and 33 seconds in Legon, Ghana, on 3 April 2024.
Mantey had more than eight years of experience in the beauty industry before undertaking the record attempt.
Her achievement became one of the notable Guinness World Records performances associated with Ghana's growing beauty and creative industries.
17. Godwin Chika – Longest Painting Marathon
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian artist Godwin Chika set the record for the longest painting marathon after painting continuously for 200 hours and 40 minutes.
The attempt took place in Victoria Island, Lagos, from 3 to 12 April 2025.
During the marathon, Chika completed 144 paintings, demonstrating his endurance and artistic output over the extended session.
He undertook the attempt to promote art and increase recognition of African artists.
18. Sharon Dede Padi – Largest Leaf-Print Painting
Country: Ghana
Ghanaian visual artist Sharon Dede Padi achieved the record for the largest leaf-print painting with an artwork measuring 54.33 square meters.
The artwork was created in Accra, Ghana, and officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2025.
She used natural leaves, including plantain, neem and other varieties, to produce the painting.
The artwork incorporated Ghanaian cultural and national imagery, making the achievement a notable addition to the country's visual arts records.
19. Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke – Largest Art Canvas
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian young artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke achieved the Guinness World Records title for the largest art canvas.
His artwork measured 12,381.02 square meters, with the record verified on 2 April 2025.
The painting, titled Impossibility Is a Myth, was completed in November 2024 and publicly unveiled in Abuja on World Autism Acceptance Day.
Kanyeyachukwu, who is autistic, used the artwork to promote awareness, inclusion and acceptance of people with autism.
20. Percy Maimela – Largest Coffee Grounds Mosaic
Country: South Africa
South African artist Percy Maimela and BrainFarm (Pty) Ltd created the world's largest coffee grounds mosaic on 12 September 2019.
The artwork measured 25.96 square meters and was completed in Sandton, Gauteng.
The mosaic depicted the face of South African DJ and music producer Black Coffee.
The project earned official Guinness World Records recognition for the largest image created using coffee grounds.
21. Gielie Basson – Longest Barbecue Marathon
Country: South Africa
South African braai enthusiast Gielie Basson set the record for the longest barbecue marathon on 24 September 2025.
He completed a barbecue session lasting 98 hours and 8 minutes in Calitzdorp, Western Cape.
During the attempt, he prepared different foods associated with South African barbecue culture, including boerewors, chicken, pork, beef and corn on the cob.
The achievement brought international recognition to South Africa's braai tradition.
22. Raymond Kahuma – Largest Ugandan Rolex
Country: Uganda
Ugandan chef Raymond Kahuma created an enormous version of the country's popular street food known as a Rolex.
On 4 November 2021, he and his team prepared a Ugandan Rolex weighing 204.6 kilograms in Kasokoso, Wakiso District.
The giant food item measured 2.32 meters in length and 0.66 meters at its thickest diameter.
The achievement earned Kahuma a Guinness World Records title for the largest Ugandan Rolex.
23. Favour Ogechi Ani – Highest Number Counted Out Loud
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian record breaker Favour Ogechi Ani achieved the record for the highest number counted out loud after reaching 1,070,000.
She completed the achievement in Rivers State, Nigeria, on 16 December 2025.
Her counting marathon began on 8 October 2025 and was completed over 70 consecutive days through a series of live YouTube broadcasts.
The achievement was officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
24. Dr Chiggy Chiagorom – Most Television Interviews in 12 Hours
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian broadcaster Dr Chiggy Chiagorom set a Guinness World Records title for the most television interviews conducted in 12 hours.
He completed 101 interviews at the International Conference Centre in Enugu, Nigeria, on 14 February 2026.
His achievement surpassed the previous record of 43 interviews within the same period.
The record demonstrated an unusual feat in broadcasting and television journalism.
25. Ibitoye Kingfahd – Longest Magic Show by an Individual
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian magician Ibitoye Kingfahd, popularly known as Faddothegreat, achieved the record for the longest magic show by an individual.
His performance lasted 50 hours in Lagos between 27 and 29 November 2025.
The attempt brought attention to stage magic and entertainment in Nigeria, where the performer sought greater recognition for the art.
Guinness World Records officially recognized the achievement.
26. Kevwe Dolor – Longest Stand-Up Comedy Show by an Individual
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian comedian Kevwe Dolor set the record for the longest stand-up comedy show by an individual.
He performed for 60 hours in Lagos, with the achievement recorded on 27 February 2025.
His performance surpassed the previous record of 40 hours, 16 minutes and 48 seconds.
The achievement added another unusual entertainment record to Nigeria's growing list of Guinness World Records holders.
27. Joshua Olusanya – Longest Marathon Playing the Trumpet
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian musician Joshua Olusanya achieved the record for the longest marathon playing the trumpet.
He performed continuously for 25 hours, 30 minutes and 36 seconds at Terra Kulture in Lagos on 9 May 2025.
His attempt highlighted instrumental music and the work of musicians who perform outside the more widely recognized singing and recording categories.
Guinness World Records officially recognized the achievement.
28. Abasifreke Idem – Longest Whistling Marathon
Country: Nigeria
Nigerian record breaker Abasifreke Idem achieved the longest whistling marathon on 20 July 2025.
He completed the attempt in Lagos, recording a total of 40 hours, 1 minute and 2 seconds.
Idem also has a separate Guinness World Records achievement involving a recording marathon with multiple artists.
His whistling achievement added another unusual category to the range of records held by Nigerians.
29. Truphena Muthoni – Longest Marathon Hugging a Tree
Country: Kenya
Kenyan environmental activist Truphena Muthoni achieved the record for the longest marathon hugging a tree after completing a 72-hour attempt.
She undertook the challenge between 8 and 11 December 2025 in Kenya.
The achievement surpassed her earlier 48-hour record, which she had established in February 2025.
Guinness World Records officially confirmed the 72-hour achievement in January 2026. Her record attempt was connected to her campaign for the protection of indigenous trees and environmental conservation.
30. Grace Lubega Matovu and the Clap For Jesus Team – Longest Applause
Country: Uganda
Ugandan participants led by Grace Lubega Matovu and the Clap For Jesus Team established the record for the longest applause.
The team completed an applause session lasting 3 hours, 16 minutes and 1 second in Kampala, Uganda, on 30 July 2023.
The attempt was organized as a group event and officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
It stands out among African records because it involved coordinated participation by a group rather than an individual competitor.
Guinness World Records Set by Africans Across Different Fields
The 30 achievements cover several countries and disciplines, including athletics, cooking, visual arts, entertainment, food, broadcasting and group participation.
This is a selected compilation, not a ranking from first to thirtieth. Records were selected based on their verified Guinness World Records recognition, the measurable achievement involved, the significance of the performance and the diversity of fields represented.
The list includes both current and historical record achievements. Where a record has subsequently been broken, the original holder and achievement are identified by their actual dates rather than being described as the current world record holder.
