As of 2023, the GDP of Africa was estimated at roughly 3.1 trillion U.S. dollars. This was the highest value since 2010 when the continent's GDP amounted to approximately 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars. The GDP value in Africa generally followed an upward trend in recent years and was estimated to exceed 4.2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2027.

Leading the charge: the three leading African economies

Among the African countries, in 2021, Nigeria had the highest GDP with approximately 442 billion U.S. dollars. South Africa and Egypt followed. These three countries have the largest economies for various reasons. The most notable factors are their population size, natural resources, and level of economic development. Furthermore, Africa was projected to have a real GDP growth rate of 3.9 percent in 2023. Libya was the economy experiencing the highest growth rate in that year.

The Sub-Saharan African economy on the rise

A global comparison showed that Sub-Saharan Africa had the smallest GDP among all world regions in 2021, amounting to 1.87 trillion U.S. dollars. A closer look revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa had a GDP per capita of 1,626.3 U.S. dollars in 2021, again the lowest worldwide. However, the region's economy was forecast to experience continued growth in the following years, with the real GDP increasing by 3.7 percent in 2023.

The statistic shows gross domestic product (GDP) in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. Gross domestic product (GDP) denotes the aggregate value of all services and goods produced within a country in any given year. GDP is an important indicator of a country's economic power. In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa's aggregated gross domestic product amounted to around 1,841.17 billion U.S. dollars.

As of April 2025, South Africa's GDP was estimated at over 410 billion U.S. dollars, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 347 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with nearly 269 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest-growing economies worldwide. Dependency on oil For some African countries, the oil industry represents an enormous source of income. In Nigeria, oil generates over five percent of the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2023. However, economies such as the Libyan, Algerian, or Angolan are even much more dependent on the oil sector. In Libya, for instance, oil rents account for over 40 percent of the GDP. Indeed, Libya is one of the economies most dependent on oil worldwide. Similarly, oil represents for some of Africa’s largest economies a substantial source of export value. The giants do not make the ranking Most of Africa’s largest economies do not appear in the leading ten African countries for GDP per capita. The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population. Therefore, a populated country with a low total GDP will have a low GDP per capita, while a small rich nation has a high GDP per capita. For instance, South Africa has Africa’s highest GDP, but also counts the sixth-largest population, so wealth has to be divided into its big population. The GDP per capita also indicates how a country’s wealth reaches each of its citizens. In Africa, Seychelles has the greatest GDP per capita.

Graph and download economic data for Nominal Gross Domestic Product for South Africa (NGDPNSAXDCZAQ) from Q1 1993 to Q1 2025 about South Africa and GDP.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa was worth 400.26 billion US dollars in 2024, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of South Africa represents 0.38 percent of the world economy. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 0.50 percent in the third quarter of 2025 over the previous quarter. This dataset provides - South Africa GDP Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The statistic shows the growth in real GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa is the area of the African continent south of the Sahara and includes almost all African countries located there. In 2024, real gross domestic product in Sub-Saharan Africa grew by around 3.99 percent compared to the previous year.

South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth data was reported at 1.320 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.565 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.116 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.940 % in 1964 and a record low of -2.137 % in 1992. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. Annual percentage growth rate of GDP at market prices based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2010 U.S. dollars. GDP is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted average;

This dataset provides values for GDP ANNUAL GROWTH RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Central African Republic was worth 2.75 billion US dollars in 2024, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of Central African Republic represents 0 percent of the world economy. This dataset provides - Central African Republic GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPCDSSF) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, income, and GDP.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 2.10 percent in the third quarter of 2025 over the same quarter of the previous year. This dataset provides - South Africa GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product for Central African Republic (MKTGDPCFA646NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Central African Republic and GDP.

South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Industry: Manufacturing data was reported at -0.150 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.909 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Industry: Manufacturing data is updated yearly, averaging 3.159 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.797 % in 1964 and a record low of -10.627 % in 2009. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Gross Value Added: Industry: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. Annual growth rate for manufacturing value added based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2010 U.S. dollars. Manufacturing refers to industries belonging to ISIC divisions 15-37. Value added is the net output of a sector after adding up all outputs and subtracting intermediate inputs. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or depletion and degradation of natural resources. The origin of value added is determined by the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC), revision 3.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted Average; Note: Data for OECD countries are based on ISIC, revision 4.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in South Africa was last recorded at 5708.96 US dollars in 2024. The GDP per Capita in South Africa is equivalent to 45 percent of the world's average. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa GDP per capita - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

This dataset shows Kenyas quarterly Gross Domestic Product reports from 2007 to 2017.

South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: GNI data was reported at 1.042 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.261 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: GNI data is updated yearly, averaging 3.038 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.803 % in 1964 and a record low of -1.828 % in 1983. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: GNI data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. GNI (formerly GNP) is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted average;

South Africa ZA: GDP: Linked Series data was reported at 7,023,994.456 ZAR mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,655,523.778 ZAR mn for 2022. South Africa ZA: GDP: Linked Series data is updated yearly, averaging 2,202,121.887 ZAR mn from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,023,994.456 ZAR mn in 2023 and a record low of 327,231.668 ZAR mn in 1990. South Africa ZA: GDP: Linked Series data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Nominal. GDP is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources. This series has been linked to produce a consistent time series to counteract breaks in series over time due to changes in base years, source data and methodologies. Thus, it may not be comparable with other national accounts series in the database for historical years. Data are in current local currency.;World Bank staff estimates based on World Bank national accounts data archives, OECD National Accounts, and the IMF WEO database.;;

Graph and download economic data for National Accounts: GDP by Expenditure: Current Prices: Gross Domestic Product: Total for South Africa (ZAFGDPNQDSMEI) from Q1 1960 to Q3 2023 about South Africa and GDP.

As of 2022, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of North Africa was estimated at roughly 857 billion U.S. dollars. This was the highest value since 2010, when the region's GDP amounted to approximately 600 billion U.S. dollars. The GDP value in North Africa generally followed an upward trend in recent years. By 2027, it is estimated to exceed 1.1 billion U.S. dollars. Egypt has the largest economy in the region.