Top 10 African Countries to Watch Out For in 2025 by GDP

Summary

• These are the top 10 African countries to watch out for in 2025 based on Economic Projections.
• The projection is based on the World Economic Output report released yearly by the IMF.
• Surprisingly, major players like Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana did not make it to the Top 10 list.

According to experts, the year 2025 holds great prospects for the African continent. A new United Nations report on Africa confirms that Africa is poised for economic growth in 2025, with major recovery measures driven by the continent's leading economies.

Economic projections are anchored on GDP – which is a reflector of a country’s internal policies and measures. GDP scores are important economic indicators that reveal the actual status of a country and the livelihood of its citizens. It is affected by even the smallest indicators such as taxation and the value of goods and services produced in a country, juxtaposed to inflation.

According to the World Economic Output report, released by the International Monetary Fund, sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase in 2025.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, GDP growth is similarly projected to increase, from an estimated 3.6 percent in 2023 to 4.2 percent in 2025, as the adverse impacts of prior weather shocks abate and supply constraints gradually ease,” the report states.

Why are Economic Projections Important?

Economic projections are important, especially for developing countries, because they are perhaps the most accurate dictators of the overall improvement and performance rates across various areas.

Generally, investors are drawn to countries with projections of rapid GDP growth. It indicates a trajectory for a robust economy with high potential returns on investment. A good and accurate forecast is one that is released by a reputable organization, and it is interpreted by both domestic and foreign investors as an invitation to engage in local industries in the country.

Top 10 African Countries to Watch Out For in 2025 Based on Economic Projection

10. Ethiopia: The coffee giants are on track to attract more international investments in the new year with a GDP projection of 6.5%. According to the government of the country, Ethiopia's economy grew by 7.1% in 2022/23, and by 7.2% in 2023.

9. The Republic of Benin: With the same GDP projection score as Ethiopia, Benin Republic makes the list at number nine. With a score of 6.5%, the cotton production kings in Africa are bound to attract more investments in the new year.

8. Rwanda: Another 6.5% score brings Rwanda to the list. Rwanda is rich in natural minerals such as gemstones, silica sands, kaolin, vermiculite, diatomite, clays, limestone, talcum, gypsum, and pozzolan. Small-scale mining accounts for around 80 percent of the country's mineral output.

7. Zambia: Known for its copper, emeralds, and cobalt, the southern African landlocked country has a GDP score of 6.6%. Experts say that the economic growth projection reflects the hard work of locals who have sustained the mining industry in the country.

6. Niger: Niger Republic’s economy is anchored mainly on agriculture and mining. The country is landlocked in West Africa and is considered one of the world's poorest nations. However, it now has a good prospect to look up to in the new year with a score of 7.3%.

5. Uganda: The "Kwa Mungu na nchi yangu" – "For God and My Country" African nation comes in number five with a 7.5% score. The country which is known for its largely untapped reserves of crude oil and natural gas could attract big investors in 2025.

4. Sudan: Sudan recorded a score of 8.3% to make it to number four. The country is rich in arable land, natural resources, a young workforce, and agricultural opportunities. Its natural resources include natural gas, gold, silver, chromite, manganese, and gypsum.

3. Senegal: Senegal's economic strengths include its natural resources, tourism, and agricultural sector. The country is also considered to have a stable political environment. The country makes it to the top three with a GDP growth score of 9.3%.

2. Libya: The economic strengths of Libya include its oil and gas reserves, its potential for renewable energy, and its raw construction materials. The country hit double figures at 13.7% and would take a major step towards restabilizing its economy in 2025.

1. South Sudan: The presence of South Sudan as number one on the list with a score of 27.2% came as a huge surprise to many social observers. The economy of South Sudan has been affected by decades of civil war, but the prospects for 2025 are bright. Up to 95 percent of South Sudanese depend on subsistence farming, fishing, or herding for food and income, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Conclusion

The International Monetary Fund report is in agreement with the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and the United Nations that sub-Saharan Africa's GDP growth will increase in 2025. Perhaps one of the major drivers of this growth is the decision by African leaders to ease the supply constraints and improve regional integration within the continent.

Worthy of mention is Côte d'Ivoire – the country is projected to have strong economic growth in 2025 due to its cocoa boom and public capital spending. In addition, Tanzania is projected to have a strong macroeconomic outlook, with exports expected to exceed that of neighbouring Kenya.

Africa's GDP currently sits at $2.8 trillion, which is the combined economic output of 1.4 billion people. The top five African economies by GDP are; South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.