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.

Egypt was the largest economy in North Africa in 2022. In that year, its GDP amounted to 435.6 billion U.S. dollars, the second-highest in Africa after Nigeria. Algeria and Morocco followed, with the GDP totaling around 194 billion and 133 billion U.S. dollars, respectively.

Seychelles had the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Africa as of 2024. The value amounted to 21.87 thousand U.S. dollars. Mauritius followed with around 13 thousand U.S. dollars, whereas Gabon registered 9.31 thousand U.S. dollars. GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population, meaning that some of the largest economies are not ranked within the leading ten. Impact of COVID-19 on North Africa’s GDP When looking at the GDP growth rate in Africa in 2024, Libya had the largest estimated growth in Northern Africa, a value of 7.8 percent compared to the previous year. Niger and Senegal were at the top of the list with rates of 10.4 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the economy was severe. The growth of the North African real GDP was estimated at minus 1.1 percent in 2020. However, estimations for 2022 looked much brighter, as it was set that the region would see a GDP growth of six percent, compared to four percent in 2021.
Contribution of Tourism Various countries in Africa are dependent on tourism, contributing to the economy. In 2023, travel and tourism were estimated to contribute 182.6 billion U.S. dollars, a clear increase from 96.5 in 2020 following COVID-19. As of 2024, South Africa, Mauritius, and Egypt led tourism in the continent according to the Travel & Tourism Development Index.

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 real gross domestic product (GDP) of Niger is estimated to have grown by 11.9 percent in 2022, which is the highest estimated growth rate across all African countries. In comparison, Libya's economy is estimated to have contracted by 9.6 percent.

Key information about South Africa Real GDP Growth

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 1.3 % YoY in Dec 2022, following a growth of 4.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Real GDP Growth YoY data in South Africa is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1961 to Dec 2022, with an average rate of 3.0 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19.4 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of -17.0 % in Jun 2020.

CEIC calculates Real GDP Growth from quarterly Real GDP. Statistics South Africa provides Real GDP in local currency, at 2015 prices. Real GDP Growth prior to Q1 1994 is calculated from Real GDP at 2010 prices.


Related information about South Africa Real GDP Growth

• In the latest reports, Nominal GDP of South Africa reached 98.8 USD bn in Sep 2022.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 4.7 % in Sep 2022.
• GDP Per Capita in South Africa reached 6,966.1 USD in Dec 2021.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 15.6 % in Sep 2022.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 14.8 % in Dec 2022.
• Public Consumption accounted for 19.9 % in Dec 2022.
• Private Consumption accounted for 66.6 % in Dec 2022.

The average for 2023 based on 14 countries was 19.06 percent. The highest value was in Algeria: 41.23 percent and the lowest value was in the Seychelles: 3.16 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2025, Ethiopia's GDP was forecast to reach almost 121 billion U.S. dollars, the highest in East Africa. Kenya followed, with an expected GDP of around 117 billion U.S. dollars. Comoros, on the other hand, had some of the lowest GDPs, at just over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

The average for 2022 based on 46 countries was 1107.49 million U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Ethiopia: 4925.6 million U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Equatorial Guinea: 11.18 million U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2024, projections show that three out of the five African regions will have an increased growth margin as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to 2023, showing hope for economic recovery post-COVID-19 restrictions. In 2023, the region of East Africa is projected to have the highest share of GDP growth in Africa. It will have an estimated five percent growth rate. Furthermore, compared to the 2022 projections, 2023 showed decreased growth rate, with the exception of West Africa. However, the growth rate may now be decreasing in 2023 compared to 2022 projections due to a number of factors, including a decrease in government stimulus, ongoing uncertainty related to the pandemic, and the potential for economic headwinds such as rising inflation and interest rates. In 2021, Africa's economy was projected to recover following the impact of the pandemic, with the regional real GDPs growing significantly. In 2020, Southern Africa registered the sharpest decline in GDP growth rate in the continent, at -5.6 percent. Southern and Central Africa were the regions that suffered the most in that year, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic's impacts on economic growth in Africa.

Key information about South Africa Nominal GDP Growth

• South Africa Nominal GDP Growth was reported at 4.279 % in Dec 2024.
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.471 % for Sep 2024.
• South Africa Nominal GDP Growth data is updated quarterly, averaging 11.455 % from Mar 1961 to Dec 2024, with 256 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 34.616 % in Sep 1980 and a record low of -13.481 % in Jun 2020.
• South Africa Nominal GDP Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: Nominal GDP: Y-o-Y Growth: Quarterly: Seasonally Adjusted.

CEIC calculates quarterly Nominal GDP Growth from quarterly Nominal GDP. South African Reserve Bank provides Nominal GDP in local currency.

Key information about South Africa External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP

• South Africa External Debt: Short Term accounted for 8.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2023, compared with the ratio of 8.4 % in the previous year.
• South Africa External Debt: Short Term: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from 1994 to 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9.2 % in 2016 and a record low of 4.4 % in 2004.

CEIC calculates Short Term External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Short Term External Debt and annual Nominal GDP. Short Term External Debt is calculated as the sum of Short Term External Debt breakdowns for Public Authorities, Public Corporations, Monetary Authorities, Banking Sector and Other Sector. South African Reserve Bank provides Short Term External Debt in USD. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal GDP in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Short Term External Debt prior to 2002 is sourced from the World Bank.


Related information about South Africa External Debt: Short Term: % of GDP

• In the latest reports of South Africa, Current Account recorded a deficit of 932.5 USD mn in Mar 2023.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 1.3 USD bn in Mar 2024.
• South Africa Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 246.7 USD mn in Mar 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment fell by 2.8 USD bn in Mar 2024.
• South Africa External Debt: Short Term value stood at 33.6 USD bn in Dec 2023.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 95.9 USD bn in Mar 2023.

The average for 2022 based on 34 countries was 19403 kilograms. The highest value was in South Africa: 88883 kilograms and the lowest value was in Burundi: 42 kilograms. The indicator is available from 2001 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 69.69 percent. The highest value was in Somalia: 123.53 percent and the lowest value was in Libya: 32.42 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2021 based on 51 countries was 0.166 index points. The highest value was in South Africa: 0.546 index points and the lowest value was in the Central African Republic: 0.042 index points. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2022 based on 42 countries was 1.49 percent. The highest value was in Togo: 5.44 percent and the lowest value was in Mauritius: 0.17 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Central African Republic gdp growth rate for 2023 was 0.87%, a 0.37% increase from 2022.

• Central African Republic gdp growth rate for 2022 was 0.50%, a 0.48% decline from 2021.
• Central African Republic gdp growth rate for 2021 was 0.98%, a 0.08% increase from 2020.
• Central African Republic gdp growth rate for 2020 was 0.90%, a 2.2% decline from 2019.

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.

The average for 2022 based on 53 countries was 1.12 million kilowatts. The highest value was in South Africa: 10.51 million kilowatts and the lowest value was in the Gambia: 0 million kilowatts. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

South Africa's GDP amounted to just over 418 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, the highest in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe ranked second, with a GDP worth around 37 billion U.S. dollars. Lesotho, on the other hand, ranked the lowest with a GDP of over 2.4 billion U.S. dollars.

The average for 2022 based on 18 countries was 23.06 percent. The highest value was in Algeria: 53.4 percent and the lowest value was in Tanzania: 5.43 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.