African women of reproductive age have the highest death risk from maternal causes of any women in the world.

The lifetime chance of maternal death is 1 in 21 in Africa as compared to 1 in 54 in Asia, which ranks second.

Using published data, this paper examines the level and correlates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Africa.

The data indicates that MMR greatly differs among the countries of Africa.

High MMR is found in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, while countries of Northern Africa are characterized by relatively low maternal death.

Reasons for high MMR in sub-Saharan Africa are explored in detail.