Top 10 Richest African Countries in Early 2025

In Summary

• Africa’s total economic output crossed $2.8 trillion in 2025, with the top 10 economies accounting for more than 76% of the continent’s GDP. Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa remain at the forefront, but resource-driven countries like Algeria and Angola saw notable gains due to increased demand for fossil fuels and metals.
• Algeria recorded the highest year-on-year GDP growth among the top 10, expanding by over 4.5%, thanks to high energy exports, strong foreign reserves, and government-led public spending. Angola also rebounded after years of stagnation, driven by IMF-backed reforms and surging crude oil prices.
• The presence of Ethiopia and Kenya on the list reflects a growing shift from extractive-based wealth to service-led economies, as both nations saw rising investment in telecom, logistics, and fintech, supported by regional integration efforts under AfCFTA and infrastructure development across East Africa.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria - GDP remains one of the most important economic indicators for understanding how a country is performing, but the number alone doesn’t capture the full story. Africa’s richest countries in 2025 are not just generating wealth; they are also revealing critical trends about diversification, global trade, and governance. Some countries are consolidating their traditional advantages, such as oil or minerals, while others are forging new paths through innovation, technology, and investment reforms.

The role of global dynamics, rising energy prices, interest rate hikes, climate shocks, and geopolitical realignments can’t be ignored. Africa’s biggest economies are increasingly integrated into global value chains, making them more exposed to volatility but also more attractive to investors seeking long-term growth in untapped markets. The IMF projects that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth will average 4.0% in 2025, but that figure masks large disparities. What’s clear is that the composition of Africa’s top 10 economies tells a story of both opportunity and caution.

10. Central African Republic

In early 2025, the Central African Republic had a GDP of approximately $2.81 billion, accounting for 0.1% of Africa’s total economic output. Despite its modest size, the country is mineral-rich, with reserves of gold, diamonds, and uranium yet to be fully exploited. Political instability and limited infrastructure remain major constraints, but gradual peacebuilding efforts and donor-funded infrastructure projects are slowly unlocking sectors like artisanal mining and forestry.

The government is also engaging in reforms to improve transparency and investor confidence. Programs focused on road development around Bangui, as well as agricultural resilience, aim to reconnect the country to regional markets. Although still fragile, the CAR's slow progress offers signs of economic recovery, driven by natural endowments and multilateral support.

9. Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a small island nation just off the coast of West Africa, with a GDP of $2.72 billion in 2025, for only 0.1% of Africa as a whole. It has a tourism- and services-based economy that generates wealth through good governance, stable democratic institutions, and strong digital connectivity among its diaspora.

Cape Verde has been investing aggressively in renewable energy in recent years, intent on reaching a state with a billion clean energy generation by 2030. It has prioritized education, health, and culturally dependent formation, and has attracted partnerships or green financing bids from the EU. The blue economy and pasture-based eco-tourism are garnering the attention they need to become a key sustainable contributor to growth in the face of a changing climate.

8. Burundi

Burundi's GDP is $3.08 billion in 2025, or 0.11% of the continent's economy. The country is still an agriculturally dependent economy and is making steady progress in its post-conflict recovery efforts. Coffee and tea continue to be the leading products of export, with the government making sustained reforms with the coffee and tea industry to develop a predominantly lower-quality product and expand access to global markets.

New rural electrification projects have begun, along with recent investments in logistics by regiobillionaires and organizations like COMESA; these efforts are enabling Burundi to position itself for growth. While food insecurity and political instability continue to be difficult hurdles to overcome, initial macroeconomic statistics, including decreasing inflation and fiscal discipline, show a positive sign for the future.

7. Chad

For early 2025, Chad's projected GDP is $18.70 billion, or 0.66% of Africa's total economy. The economy is still oil-dependent, where oil receipts represent more than 60% of government revenue. In recent months, there has been an effort to promote growth outside of oil, and the government is implementing various investments into livestock, renewable energy, and cross-border trade with Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

While Chad’s location and membership in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) can help it to leverage some degree of regional trade, infrastructure, and security constraints keep it from being a game changer. Nevertheless, the country has experienced a rise in Chinese investments into oil pipelines and refining, which should increase revenues if it’s managed correctly.

6. Benin

Benin started 2025 with a GDP estimated at $21.37 billion, representing approximately 0.76% of the continental GDP. The country has gradually made a case as an important trade route, thanks to new infrastructure at the Port of Cotonou, and the new transport routes being built to Niger & Burkina Faso. Cotton remains the key export, with the government attempting to diversify manufacturing and agri-processing.

There have been recent reforms around customs digitalization, transparency in the public business-friendly government incentives to small and medium−sized enterprises (SMEs). While a digital ID system has been put in place and tax reforms put forward to improve the delivery of public services and tax collection, the country is well-positioned as a gateway economy for the Sahel region, largely thanks to political stability, good fiscal management, and an overall more business-friendly climate.

5. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso recorded a GDP of $21.90 billion in early 2025, representing about 0.78% of Africa’s total GDP. Despite ongoing security challenges in its northern and eastern regions, the country has continued to grow through its resilient agriculture sector and expanding gold mining industry. Gold now accounts for over 70% of the country’s export revenue, driven by both industrial mining and artisanal operations.

Recent partnerships with Canadian and Australian firms have boosted investments in the mining sector, while donor support and regional cooperation have helped stabilize parts of the economy. The government has also launched programs to modernize farming techniques, improve irrigation, and expand access to rural credit. While insecurity remains a concern, Burkina Faso’s economic fundamentals, including a young population, abundant resources, and regional trade links, point to potential for inclusive growth.

4. Botswana

Botswana’s economy reached $21.42 billion in GDP for early 2025, accounting for approximately 0.76% of Africa’s total output. Known for its political stability, prudent macroeconomic policies, and transparent governance, Botswana continues to stand out in Southern Africa. The diamond sector remains the backbone of its economy, but recent moves toward diversification are gaining traction.

Tourism, financial services, and green energy are rising in Botswana’s economic roadmap. The government has attracted attention for its investment in infrastructure and efforts to digitize public services. With low levels of public debt, strong foreign reserves, and a supportive business environment, Botswana remains one of the continent’s most fiscally responsible and investor-friendly economies.

3. Cameroon

Cameroon posted a GDP of $53.20 billion in 2025, which gives it a 1.89% share of Africa’s GDP. The country is an economic heavyweight in Central Africa due to its diverse economy spanning agriculture, energy, forestry, mining, and services. Oil and gas continue to play a key role, especially with the government’s renewed offshore drilling contracts and LNG export deals.

Cameroon’s infrastructure development, particularly in roads, ports, and energy, is being driven by Chinese partnerships and regional integration programs. The government’s efforts to enhance its fiscal discipline and manage inflation have contributed to overall stability, although political tensions in the Anglophone regions remain a drag on investor confidence. Nevertheless, Cameroon’s central location, resource base, and large domestic market make it a key player in regional trade and development.

2. Angola

With a GDP of $92.12 billion, Angola ranks second in Africa’s 2025 economic standings, representing 3.27% of the continent’s GDP. The country has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, moving from an oil-dominated economy to one actively pursuing diversification. While oil still contributes heavily to national revenues, investments in agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing are growing steadily.

The Luanda government has implemented aggressive privatization and reform programs, supported by the IMF and World Bank. It has also made strides in debt restructuring and reducing inflation. Angola’s infrastructure has seen marked improvements, particularly in energy access and transport networks, helping to unlock potential in rural areas. Its economic rebound is further bolstered by political reforms and efforts to fight corruption, boosting international investor confidence.

1. Algeria

Algeria remains Africa’s richest country in early 2025, with a commanding GDP of $266.78 billion, making up 9.47% of the continent’s total economic output. A hydrocarbon giant, Algeria continues to benefit from high global oil and gas prices, with hydrocarbons accounting for nearly 95% of export earnings and 60% of government revenues. But unlike in previous decades, the government is now heavily investing in non-oil sectors.

Major industrial zones, renewable energy projects, and investments in technology are part of Algeria’s national plan to reduce reliance on oil and gas. The country has also expanded trade with Europe and China while deepening ties within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With foreign reserves exceeding $90 billion and inflation under control, Algeria is positioning itself as not just a resource-rich state, but a potential manufacturing and energy hub for North Africa and beyond.