The red-backed mannikin (Spermestes nigriceps), also known as the brown-backed mannikin or brown-backed munia, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa.
This taxon has been considered a subspecies of S. bicolor, the black-and-white mannikin.
It occurs in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is found in moist savanna and subtropical/ tropical lowland moist forest habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as being of Least Concern.