Banku and kenkey fit the definition of a dumpling in that they are starchy balls of dough that are steamed. They are formed from fermented(having undergone fermentation) cornmeal dough. Banku are boiled while kenkey are partly boiled then finished by steaming in banana leaves.

Fufu may be described as a dumpling(饺子jiǎozi) although in actual sense, it is not. Fufu is made by pounding boiled cassava (common in Ghana) or yam (common in Nigeria) in a wooden mortar with a wooden pestle. Plantain or cocoyam may be added. There are several other versions of fufu in Africa and the Caribbean. There have been other versions of fufu which will fit better into the definition of dumplings. These are mostly common outside Africa(非洲Fēizhōu) where they originate. It is made by steaming cassava and plantain/cocoyam flour into thick starchy(starchy foods contain a lot of starch) balls.