GDP of Africa

The African economy, comprising 53 economies, in 2025 is projected to be around $2.8 trillion in nominal terms, $43 billion more than in 2024, calculated by taking figures from the IMF. This is $377 billion more than Italy's GDP, the 8th largest economy in the world. Africa accounts for 2.46% of the world's GDP in nominal terms. Africa is the 2nd smallest continental economy in the world after Oceania. In PPP methods, it is the 3rd smallest continental economy after Oceania and South America, accounting for 5.28% of global wealth.

The Northern Africa region accounts for almost one-third of the African economy. It is the highest economy on the continent since 1987. 2nd-ranked Western Africa was at the top until 1986. 20.13% of the African GDP is distributed in Western Africa, 19.85% in Eastern Africa, 16.30% in Southern Africa, and 11.14% in Middle Africa.

As per the UN, Africa's share of the world economy was a maximum (4.93%) in 1980 and a minimum (1.93%) in 1995. In constant 2015 prices, which gives a better idea about expansion over the years, the African economy has expanded from $495 billion in 1970 to $2.96 trillion in 2023, or 5.97x.

The highest increment in African wealth was seen in 2012 when it grew by $121 billion at constant 2015 prices, while the highest reduction of $0 billion was in 1983. The figure moved in the downward direction in two years. At current prices, the maximum increment was in the year 2010 of $310 billion, while the biggest decline was in 2015 ($244 billion). The figure moved in the downward direction in thirteen years.

Grouping of continents and subregions is as per the United Nations Statistics Division.

• GDP
• Share (%)

African subregions by gdp (IMF)

African subregions by gdp (UN)

Estimates by UN