Sub-Saharan Africa, like the rest of the world, is experiencing an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes alongside other non-communicable diseases. All kinds of type 2 diabetes complications – such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiac complications – are common in sub-Saharan Africa and the prevalence and burden of type 2 diabetes are projected to rise rapidly. Obesity is one of the most potent risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The rate of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality in this region could grow substantially. Forceful actions and positive responses from well informed governments are urgently needed to control the incidence of type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. This aim of this article is to review the prevalence and magnitude of the risk of physical disability and functional impairment originating from type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa