Top 20 Richest Countries in Africa by GDP Per Capita

Africa is full of growing economies and natural wealth, but when we talk about the richest countries, we’re not just looking at the total size of the economy. Instead, we focus on GDP per capita, which means the average income per person in a country. This helps us understand how wealthy people in a country are, rather than how big the economy is.

Let’s count down the top 20 wealthiest countries in Africa based on GDP per capita (2024–2025 estimates) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

18. Ghana – $2,400

Ghana is one of the fastest-growing economies in West Africa. Gold, oil, and cocoa are the main sources of income. Ghana’s middle class is expanding, and digital businesses are booming in cities like Accra.

🔗 Ghana Economy – World Bank Overview

17. Nigeria – $2,500

Nigeria has Africa’s largest economy by size (GDP), but its huge population means income per person is lower. Still, sectors like tech, oil, and finance keep Nigeria among Africa’s richest nations.

🔗 IMF Nigeria GDP Stats

16. Kenya – $2,700

Kenya is East Africa’s tech and innovation leader. Its economy is powered by agriculture, mobile banking (like M-Pesa), and tourism. Nairobi is one of Africa’s most developed cities.

15. Angola – $3,100

Angola is one of Africa’s top oil exporters. While poverty still exists, oil revenues make it one of the wealthier countries per capita in Sub-Saharan Africa.

14. Ivory Coast – $3,200

Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) is the world’s largest cocoa producer and has a fast-growing economy with better roads, ports, and digital systems in recent years.

13. Morocco – $4,100

Morocco has a stable and growing economy supported by tourism, agriculture, car manufacturing, and renewable energy projects. Cities like Casablanca and Rabat are modern and business-friendly.

🔗 Morocco Economy – World Bank

12. Egypt – $4,400

Egypt has one of Africa’s largest and most diverse economies. Its income per person is rising thanks to tourism, the Suez Canal, and industrial growth.

11. Tunisia – $4,600

Tunisia has a mixed economy with tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Political reforms are helping stabilize and grow the economy.

10. Namibia – $4,900

Namibia has a small population but rich mineral resources like uranium and diamonds. The government has also invested in education and infrastructure.

9. South Africa – $5,200

South Africa is one of the most industrialized nations in Africa. It has a well-developed banking system, manufacturing, and strong legal systems. However, inequality remains a big issue.

🔗 South Africa Economy – Britannica

8. Botswana – $6,800

Botswana is a landlocked country in Africa and it is known for diamonds, good governance, and a strong economy. It has low corruption, high credit ratings, and a growing middle class.

7. Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) – $7,100

Cape Verde is a small island nation that thrives on tourism, services, and foreign remittances. Its economy is stable and peaceful.

6. Gabon – $8,100

Gabon is rich in oil and has a small population, which makes income per person relatively high. It’s one of Central Africa’s wealthiest countries.

5. Equatorial Guinea – $8,700

Equatorial Guinea became wealthy due to oil. However, the wealth is not evenly shared, and poverty remains for many citizens despite the high GDP per capita.

4. Algeria – $9,000

Algeria’s oil and gas resources make it one of North Africa’s richest countries. It’s also investing in education and infrastructure.

3. Mauritius – $10,500

Mauritius has moved from a sugar-based economy to a service-based economy. It earns from tourism, banking, and ICT. It is also a top destination for expats and investors. It is also one of the neatest countries in Africa.

🔗 Mauritius Country Profile – World Bank

2. Libya – $11,200

Libya has some of the largest oil reserves in Africa. Despite years of conflict, oil exports still make Libya one of the wealthiest countries per person.

1. Seychelles – $14,500

Seychelles is the richest country in Africa by GDP per capita. It’s a small island nation with a strong tourism industry and stable governance. The country’s high income level comes from luxury tourism, fishing, and offshore banking.

🔗 Seychelles Economy – IMF Data

🧾 Summary Table (GDP per Capita – Approx.)

✍️ Final Thoughts

While these rankings show how rich or wealthy countries are on average, it’s important to remember that not all citizens enjoy the same level of wealth. Some countries have high GDP per capita but struggle with inequality or poor public services.

Still, this list shows how Africa is changing, with many countries using oil, tourism, and innovation to grow their wealth.