Fastest-Growing Economies in Africa
Several smaller African economies have experienced rapid GDP growth between 2023 and 2025. Topping the list is Burundi, with a remarkable +58.9% GDP growth, driven by economic reforms and improved political stability. Africa’s total GDP in 2025 is projected at $2.8 trillion by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from the World Economic Outlook estimates. 2024 GDP estimates are presented in our previous post.
Other notable fast-growing African economies include:
- Guinea: +32.3%
- Sierra Leone: +31.1%
- Niger: +30.1%
- Burkina Faso: +27.7%
Largest African Economies in 2025 (GDP Projections)
Despite economic challenges, several African powerhouses remain the largest economies on the continent based on the 2025 GDP projections (in USD billions):
- South Africa: $410.3B
- Egypt: $347.3B
- Algeria: $268.9B
- Nigeria: $188.3B
- Morocco: $165.8B
Read about 2024 GDP rankings of African countries in this post.
African Economies Projected to Decline
While growth dominates much of the continent, GDP of a few major African economies are projected to shrink in 2025:
- Nigeria: -48.3%
- Ethiopia: -26.5%
- Sudan: -14.8%
- Egypt: -11.8%
Challenges such as currency devaluation, political instability, and over-reliance on volatile sectors (like oil) contribute to these downturns. The African Development Bank is now calling for a recalibration of GDP calculation to reflect Africa’s vast natural resources. See below the complete list of Africa’s 2025 GDP as projected by the IMF.
[…] In summary, the GDP data for African countries underscores the continent’s economic diversity, with certain nations emerging as economic powerhouses while others grapple with significant developmental challenges. Effectively addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and economic diversification will foster inclusive growth and unlock Africa’s full potential within the global economy. Below is a list of African countries with the reported GDP performance, as of May 2024. Read about 2025 GDP rankings in this post. […]