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Africa's largest economy: Egypt on the verge of topping the list
8 African countries have a combined GDP exceeding $100 billion
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
Eight African countries top the list of Africa's largest economies, by GDP Total exceeds $100 billionThis reflects the concentration of the continent's economic weight in a limited number of major economies.
South Africa and Egypt are the largest economies in Africa
According to the published nominal GDP data for African countries for the year 2025 estimates in billions of dollars, South Africa tops the list with about 410.3 billion dollars, followed by Egypt with 347.3 billion dollars, and then Algeria with 268.9 billion dollars.
Nigeria ranks fourth with $188.3 billion, followed by Morocco in fifth place with $165.8 billion, then Ethiopia with $131.7 billion, Kenya with $108.9 billion, Angola with $113.3 billion, Ivory Coast with $94.5 billion, and Tanzania with $88.3 billion.
Egypt leads according to purchasing power parity
When calculating output according to purchasing power parity (PPP), Egypt leads the African economies, followed by Nigeria, while Nigeria's decline in the nominal ranking is attributed to the impact of monetary policies and the devaluation of the local currency.
Purchasing power parity (PPP) is an economic theory and measure that compares different currencies by measuring their actual cost of purchasing the same basket of goods and services in their respective countries..
Egypt could surpass South Africa by 2028
The Nigerian website Business Day quoted the latest IMF GDP forecasts, stating that Egypt is on track to surpass South Africa to become Africa’s largest economy by 2028, a first in decades, more than 50 years.
The data indicated that Egypt’s economy is expected to grow to $485.3 billion, surpassing South Africa – currently ranked first on the continent – whose GDP is expected to reach $458.4 billion. Nigeria is expected to rank third with a GDP of $375.9 billion, followed by Algeria ($297.3 billion) and Morocco ($222.2 billion).
As for Egypt, currently the continent's second-largest economy, growth momentum has been significantly boosted, with the economy expanding by 5.31 TP3T in the third quarter of 2025, marking its fastest pace of growth in more than three years, supported by gains in the non-oil industries, tourism and communications sectors, according to Egyptian government statements.
