The age of consent in Africa for sexual activity varies by jurisdiction across the continent, codified in laws which may also stipulate the specific activities that are permitted or the gender of participants for different ages. Other variables may exist, such as close-in-age exemptions. Six nations in Africa Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Niger and Madagascar have a higher age of consent for same-sex sexual relations than opposite-sex ones; every other African country either has an equal age of consent for both acts or bans homosexual acts altogether regardless of age.
The highlighted age refers to an age at or above which an individual can engage in unfettered sexual relations with another person who is also at or above that age.
Other variables are stated when relevant. Scope: all jurisdictions per list of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa. The age of consent in Algeria is 16 for vaginal intercourse , as specified in Article of the penal code. As well as all same-sex sexual conduct, Article , and "outrages to public decency", Article The punishment for both the first two activities with those under 19 years of age is more severe for the older participant.
The age of consent in Angola is 14 but sexual activity with persons under 16 is prohibited if a person over 18 years of age "takes advantage of their inexperience or a situation of particular need". These laws are covered under articles and of the penal codeβsexual abuse of a minor under 14, and sexual abuse of a minor under Some online sources incorrectly list the age of consent as 12, but article criminalizes all sexual acts with persons under 14 penalties are aggravated if there is penetration or if the victim is under The age of consent for homosexual acts "indecent acts or acts against nature" is The age of consent is 18 , as of the Penal Code Amendment Bill Section of the penal code criminalizes "indecent assaults" against minors at least 15 but less than Section makes it illegal to incite to debauchery or promote the corruption of minors.
Under the new Penal Code of in French , the age of consent in Burundi for heterosexuals both men and women is 18 years. The minimum age of consent in Cameroon is 16 , as specified in article of the penal code. However, article of the same code states; "Whoever, in order to satisfy the desires of another person, habitually excites, encourages or facilitates the debauch or corruption of any person under?
