10 Biggest Economies In Africa 2026
- Africauptodate
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its World Economic Outlook report published in April 2026, provided its 2026 estimates for global economies of the world including African economies. The estimates are in Gross Domestic Product alias GDP (Nominal). The latter is the market value in US$, of all goods and services generated by each nation in 2026.
According to the IMF estimates, Africa's total GDP (Nominal) in 2026 is US$3119.416 billion or US$3.119 trillion, of which the bulk is contributed by the continent's 10 biggest economies. More specifically, the 10 biggest economies' share of the continental GDP (Nominal) is staggering 79%, while that of over 40 remaining economies is only 21.0%.
The 10 biggest economies in Africa in 2026 in GDP (Nominal) including their share of Africa's total GDP (Nominal) in 2026, as well as their GDP (Nominal) per Capita, and ranked starting with the economy on top position, are presented in the video above, as well as in the description below.
1) SOUTH AFRICA
GDP (Nominal): US$479.96 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 15.4%
GDP per Capita: US$7503
2) EGYPT
GDP (Nominal): US$429.65 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 13.8%
GDP per Capita: US$3904
3) NIGERIA
GDP (Nominal): US$377.37 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 12.1%
GDP per Capita: US$1556
4) ALGERIA
GDP (Nominal): US$317.17 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 10.2%
GDP per Capita: US$6628
5) MOROCCO
GDP (Nominal): US$194.33 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 6.2%
GDP per Capita: US$5107
6) ANGOLA
GDP (Nominal): US$152.35 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 4.9%
GDP per Capita: US$3754
7) KENYA
GDP (Nominal): US$147.27 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 4.7%
GDP per Capita: US$2714
8) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
GDP (Nominal): US$123.41 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 4.0%
GDP per Capita: US$1122
9) ETHIOPIA
GDP (Nominal): US$121.53 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 3.9%
GDP per Capita: US$1081
10) GHANA
GDP (Nominal): US$118.29 Billion
Share of Africa Total GDP: 3.8%
GDP per Capita: US$3314
When compared with the 2025 ranking of 10 biggest economies in Africa, the 2026 ranking shows that all countries on the ranking witnessed annual increase in their GDP (Nominal) albeit to varying extents.
More specifically, Nigeria stands out as having the biggest annual GDP (Nominal) increase of almost US$200 billion. The colossal annual GDP (Nominal) surge enabled Nigeria to climb up the ranking from the 4th position in 2025 to the 3rd position in 2026, hence dethroning Algeria that despite its excellent annual GDP (Nominal) increase of almost US$60 billion, moves down the ranking to the 4th position.
Also, South Africa and Egypt excelled economically in 2026, each recording annual GDP (Nominal) increase of over US$60 billion that enabled them to retain their previous year's 1st and 2nd positions respectively, on the 2026 ranking.
Furthermore, Angola with annual GDP (Nominal) increase of about US$40 billion, economically outpaced Kenya on the 2026 ranking, taking the 6th position while Kenya with its annual GDP (Nominal) increase of US$16 billion dropped to the 7th position.
Finally but not least, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in making its debut on the ranking of 10 biggest economies in Africa, took the 2026 ranking by storm by immediately claiming the 8th position. The triumphant arrival of DRC on the ranking coupled with Angola's good economic performance in 2026, was catastrophic for Ethiopia that was compelled to take the 9th position down from the 7th position it held in the 2025 ranking. At the same time, Ivory Coast with its GDP (Nominal) of US$112.12 billion in 2026, and that has been a veteran on the prestigious continental ranking, lost its place there partly due to the dramatic arrival of DRC as well as Ghana's formidable fight for survival on the ranking that enabled it to retain the 10th position it held last year.
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