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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPKDSSA) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, and GDP.

Historical chart and dataset showing Sub-Saharan Africa GDP by year from 1960 to 2023.

The statistic shows gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2019 to 2023, with projections up until 2029. GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year. It is considered to be a very important indicator of the economic strength of a country and a positive change is an indicator of economic growth. In 2023, aggregated GDP per capita in Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to around 5,178.62 U.S. dollars.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 2302.22 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in the Seychelles: 16715.27 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Burundi: 262.17 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

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

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPCDSSA) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, and GDP.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 0.04 percent. The highest value was in South Africa: 0.36 percent and the lowest value was in Burundi: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

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 average for 2022 based on 40 countries was -3.88 percent. The highest value was in Equatorial Guinea: 11.9 percent and the lowest value was in Ghana: -11.8 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, services were the main economic sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing almost ** percent to the GDP. Industries made up the second-leading sector, with a GDP contribution of approximately ** percent. Some ** percent of Sub-Saharan Africa's economy was, on the other hand, represented by agricultural activities.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPMKTPCDSSA) from 1960 to 2023 about Sub-Saharan Africa and GDP.

Historical chart and dataset showing Sub-Saharan Africa GDP per capita by year from 1960 to 2023.

The average for 2023 based on 36 countries was 14.07 percent. The highest value was in Burundi: 30.51 percent and the lowest value was in Chad: 4.21 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

AFR Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for Sub-Saharan Africa is prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall. Data are consistent with the projections underlying the WEO. REO aggregate data may differ from WEO aggregates due to differences in group membership. Composite data for country groups are weighted averages of data for individual countries. Arithmetic weighted averages are used for all concepts except for inflation and broad money, for which geometric averages are used. PPP GDP weights from the WEO database are used for the aggregation of real GDP growth, real non-oil GDP growth, real per capita GDP growth, investment, national savings, broad money, claims on the nonfinancial private sector, and real and nominal effective exchange rates. Aggregates for other concepts are weighted by GDP in U.S. dollars at market exchange rates.

The average for 2023 based on 45 countries was 18.74 percent. The highest value was in Niger: 47.81 percent and the lowest value was in Botswana: 1.58 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

South Africa's GDP was estimated at just over 403 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 380 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with about 260 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.

United States - Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa was 1581.05683 2010 U.S. $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa reached a record high of 1688.32725 in January of 2015 and a record low of 1110.44074 in January of 1961. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Among major economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya might present the strongest GDP growth rate in 2021, at *** percent. According to forecasts, the country will recover from a weak *** percent expansion in 2020, boosted by developments in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Similarly, Senegal and Tanzania might register a GDP growth of *** percent each, returning to similar levels pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Additionally, South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which recorded an economic shrink in 2020, might rebound in 2021, with positive growth rates.