African Christmas food is as rich, and diverse as the continent itself and Christmas across Africa is less about a single menu and more about shared joy, flavour, and togetherness.
Across the continent, Christmas meals often feature fish or poultry, starchy sides like rice, yams, plantains, or maize, and seasoned soups, stews, and grilled meats.
Here are 10 of the most popular dishes Africans enjoy on Christmas Day. 
10 Dishes Africans Eat on Christmas Day
1. Nyama Choma (East Africa)
Nyama Choma, which means “roasted meat” in Swahili, is a festive staple in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is typically made with goat meat slow-roasted over an open flame.
This dish is synonymous with celebration and is commonly served with ugali (cornmeal) and kachumbari (fresh tomato-onion salad). Christmas in East Africa is hardly complete without a Nyama Choma feast shared among family and friends.
2. Mombasa Pumpkin Pudding (Kenya)
This indulgent Kenyan dessert is a Christmas favourite along the coast. Mombasa Pumpkin Pudding is made with pumpkin, coconut milk, sugar, and warm spices like nutmeg and cloves.
It is cooked slowly until it becomes thick and custard-like, it’s often topped with grated coconut and enjoyed as a comforting post-Christmas meal treat.
3. Tanzanian Fish Delicacies
Fish plays a major role in Tanzanian Christmas meals, especially in coastal areas. Popular festive dishes include kifimbo (grilled, herb-seasoned fish) and samaki wa nazi (fried fish cooked in coconut sauce).
These dishes reflect Tanzania’s love for fresh seafood.
4. Moroccan Couscous (North Africa)
Couscous is a celebratory dish across Morocco and much of North Africa. It is a Christmas favourite meal that is traditionally steamed over a rich meat or vegetable stew.
Moroccan couscous is fluffy, flavourful, and filling and best served with beef, chicken, or vegetables.
5. Jollof Rice (West Africa)
Few dishes unite West Africa like Jollof Rice. The meal is popular in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, and cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices.
It is often served with fried plantains, chicken, beef, or goat meat. Jollof Rice is a must-have on many West African Christmas tables.
RELATED: The Best Jollof Rice Recipe You Need This Christmas
6. Pap and Chakalaka (South Africa)
This is a classic South African festive pairing that is perfect for Christmas gatherings and outdoor celebrations.
Pap is a maize-based dish similar to porridge, while chakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish made with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and curry spices. It is easy to prepare in large quantities.
7. Sosatie (South Africa)
Sosatie is a traditional South African skewered meat dish, often made with marinated lamb, vegetables, and bay leaves.
The marinade blends spices like ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and even dried apricots, creating a sweet-savoury balance that makes sosatie a festive grill favourite during Christmas.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: 10 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts Under ₦50k for Nigerians
8. Doro Wat (Ethiopia)
Doro Wat is a rich, slow-cooked chicken stew made with onions, garlic, ginger, and berbere spice. It is traditionally served with injera (a sourdough flatbread), this dish is especially popular during major celebrations like Ethiopian Christmas (Genna).
9. Liberian Chicken Gravy (West Africa)
Chicken Gravy is a Christmas essential in Liberia. The meal is a thick, spicy sauce made with chicken, onions, and spices like cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, and allspice. It’s commonly served with jollof rice or boiled plantains.
10. Fufu and Light Soup (Ghana)
A beloved Christmas meal in Ghana, is fufu and light Soup. The dish is both comforting and celebratory. The light soup is a fragrant broth cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, often featuring chicken, goat meat, or fish.
About The Author
