Africa’s economic landscape is as diverse as its cultures, and a quick glance at the Africa GDP ranking for 2025 proves it. While the richest country in Africa by nominal GDP is South Africa, the rest of the continent’s heavyweights reveal a blend of oil-rich states, agricultural powerhouses, and rapidly diversifying markets. This list of the top African economies 2025 highlights nations whose total output now rivals that of mid-sized European countries—showing how hydrocarbons, minerals, manufacturing, tourism, and tech collectively power growth. Understanding what drives these numbers sheds light on the vast natural resources in Africa, the policy choices that unlock them, and the untapped potential still ahead.

South Africa – $410 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Mining (gold, platinum, diamonds)
  • Manufacturing (vehicles, machinery, chemicals)
  • Services (financial services, tourism)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Gold, platinum, diamonds
  • Coal, chromium, manganese, iron ore
  • Uranium and other minerals

South Africa’s economy is the most industrialized and diversified in Africa. Mining has historically been a driving force of its GDP, and the country remains a top global producer of several minerals. A robust financial sector, modern infrastructure, and a well-developed services industry also contribute significantly to its high GDP.

Egypt – $347 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Tourism, agriculture, textiles
  • Chemicals, food processing, construction
  • Oil and gas
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Oil and natural gas
  • Phosphates, iron ore
  • Fertile Nile Valley farmland

Egypt’s mixed economy benefits from a large domestic market and diverse sectors. Petroleum and natural-gas exports, a strong tourism industry, and a sizeable agricultural base drive GDP. The Suez Canal’s strategic location adds foreign revenue, while infrastructure and ICT investments sustain high output.

Algeria – $269 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas)
  • Mining, construction, agriculture
  • Limited manufacturing
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Vast oil and gas reserves
  • Iron ore, phosphates, zinc
  • Arable land for farming

Oil and gas are the backbone of Algeria’s economy, accounting for most export earnings and a large share of GDP. High global energy prices and export volumes underpin its wealth, while agriculture and construction add support. The economy’s strength, however, remains tied to hydrocarbons.

Nigeria – $188 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Oil and gas
  • Agriculture (cassava, yams, sorghum)
  • Manufacturing (cement, chemicals, food)
  • Services (telecom, banking, entertainment)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Crude oil and natural gas
  • Coal, iron ore, tin, limestone
  • Fertile land for cocoa, palm oil, peanuts

Nigeria’s GDP is driven by its massive population and oil wealth. As Africa’s top oil exporter, petroleum provides the bulk of foreign exchange. A large domestic market fuels trade, banking, and telecom, while agriculture and services broaden economic activity despite oil price volatility.

Morocco – $166 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Manufacturing (autos, aerospace, textiles)
  • Tourism, agriculture, mining
  • Services (banking, telecom)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • World-leading phosphate reserves
  • Fish resources, silver, lead, zinc, copper
  • Fertile land for citrus, olives, vegetables

Morocco’s diversified economy relies on a strong agricultural base and a booming manufacturing sector that makes it Africa’s leading car producer. Significant phosphate exports, flourishing tourism, and steady foreign investment in industry and textiles sustain its high GDP.

Kenya – $132 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Agriculture (tea, coffee, horticulture)
  • Services (finance, tourism, trade)
  • Manufacturing (food processing, textiles)
  • Construction
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Fertile agricultural land
  • Wildlife resources for safari tourism
  • Soda ash, limestone, fluorspar, titanium sands
  • Geothermal energy

Kenya’s position as East Africa’s financial and transportation hub, combined with a diversified economy, fuels GDP growth. Agriculture remains crucial, while an expanding services sector and infrastructure investments solidify Nairobi’s status as a regional business center.

Ethiopia – $117 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Agriculture (coffee, grains, oilseeds, livestock)
  • Manufacturing (textiles, leather, food processing)
  • Construction and infrastructure
  • Services (trade, transport)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Fertile soil and abundant water
  • Gold, tantalum, geothermal potential
  • Coffee (largest African producer)

Ethiopia’s rapid growth stems from large-scale public infrastructure investment and improvements in agricultural productivity. Agriculture remains the economic engine, while pushes for industrialization and rising exports (coffee, textiles) boost GDP in Africa’s second-most-populous nation.

Angola – $113 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Oil and gas
  • Diamond mining
  • Agriculture (coffee, subsistence crops)
  • Fisheries, banking, services
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Offshore petroleum and natural gas
  • Diamonds, iron ore, copper, gold
  • Fertile land for maize, cassava, bananas

Angola’s GDP is overwhelmingly driven by oil revenues, with crude exports financing post-war reconstruction and public spending. Diamond mining also contributes greatly to export earnings, while efforts to diversify into agriculture and infrastructure continue alongside petroleum wealth.

Côte d’Ivoire – $94 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Agriculture (cocoa, cashews, coffee, palm oil)
  • Services (banking, transport, telecom)
  • Mining (gold, manganese)
  • Light manufacturing (food, textiles)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • World-leading cocoa and cashew production
  • Palm oil, rubber, timber
  • Gold, manganese, offshore oil and gas

Ivory Coast’s high GDP is driven by agriculture and export trade. Cocoa alone provides a large share of export earnings, while political stability, a major port in Abidjan, and investment in infrastructure bolster growth. Commodity exports, especially cocoa and cashews, remain the main GDP drivers.

Ghana – $88 billion

• Main Industries:
  
  • Mining (gold)
  • Oil and gas
  • Agriculture (cocoa, timber, fishing)
  • Services (banking, telecom, trade)
• Key Natural Resources:
  
  • Gold (second-largest African producer)
  • Offshore crude oil
  • Cocoa, bauxite, manganese, diamonds
  • Forest resources for timber

Ghana’s economy thrives on gold, cocoa, and oil, which together dominate exports. High gold prices and expanding offshore oil production elevate GDP. Political stability, a vibrant services sector, and diverse natural wealth make Ghana one of Africa’s richest economies.

Beyond Numbers: The Future of Africa’s GDP Giants

Taken together, these ten nations illustrate the many paths to becoming a rich African economy. Some leverage abundant oil and gas reserves; others capitalize on fertile farmland, booming tourism, or sophisticated financial sectors. Yet all face a common challenge: turning resource-driven or population-driven gains into sustainable, broad-based prosperity. As governments push to diversify exports, invest in infrastructure, and foster innovation, the leaderboard of African countries by wealth will keep evolving. For investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, monitoring these GDP giants offers a snapshot of where opportunity and resilience converge on the continent—and signals where the next wave of growth may emerge.

FAQ

What is the richest country in Africa by GDP?

South Africa currently tops the list with an estimated GDP of about $410 billion in 2025, thanks to its diversified economy spanning mining, manufacturing, and services.

Which African countries have the highest GDP growth potential?

Beyond the current leaders, nations like Ethiopia and Kenya show strong growth momentum due to infrastructure investment, expanding services sectors, and youthful populations.

How does natural resource wealth affect Africa’s GDP ranking?

Countries rich in oil, gas, or minerals—such as Algeria, Nigeria, and Angola—often post high GDP figures because hydrocarbons generate significant export revenue and government income.

Why isn’t GDP per capita used to rank the richest African countries here?

This list focuses on total nominal GDP to highlight overall economic size; GDP per capita ranks wealth on an individual basis and would produce a different order.

Which sectors drive economic diversification in Africa’s largest economies?

Manufacturing, tourism, financial services, and technology are increasingly important, helping nations like Morocco and Kenya reduce reliance on traditional commodities.