[Tainnor]

I think the better way for me would be to form some (really, any) kind of association to more African countries, most of which are a total blur to me. Most other countries I could say something about.

It doesn't help that most of Africa is basically only in the media if there's a disease or war or something.

[frereubu]

That does help for sure - I have friends who are from or have been to Kenya, Zambia, Mali, Gambia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Somalia and a few others, so perhaps I've got a bit of a head start. If you're starting from scratch, one enjoyable way is to read their Wikipedia articles when they come up in the news, that way you don't just get the sensationalised news stories and can form more rounded associations with the country.