Top 10 African Economies by GDP per Capita in 2025

When you hear “richest country in Africa,” what metric comes to mind? Total GDP? Mineral wealth? While those matters, a more telling measure of how well people are doing is GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). This accounts for both the size of the population and the local cost of living. In short, how much average income actually buys. Using the latest data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and among other sources, here are the 10 African nations that are leading the pack in 2025 by GDP per capita (PPP), what drives their economies, and what others can learn from them.

The Top 10 in 2025

Here are the top 10 African economies ranked by GDP per capita (PPP), followed by key strengths and risks for each:

1. Seychelles

Seychelles takes the crown as Africa’s richest country per capita, with a GDP (PPP) of around $43,000. Its success lies in a thriving tourism sector, pristine beaches that attract global visitors, and well-managed fisheries. With a small population, national income spreads further, creating one of the highest standards of living on the continent.

2. Mauritius

Mauritius follows closely, with GDP per capita (PPP) near $34,000. Unlike many resource-driven African economies, Mauritius has built its wealth through diversification. Finance, ICT, manufacturing, and high-end tourism. Its reputation for political stability and sound governance makes it an investment magnet and a model for other African countries.

3. Egypt

Egypt’s GDP per capita (PPP) stands at about $21,600, putting it in the top tier despite its large population of over 110 million. Its diversified base, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and tourism, keeps it resilient. Massive infrastructure projects like the new Suez Canal expansion and new administrative capital are reshaping the economic landscape, though inflation remains a challenge.

4. Gabon

With a GDP per capita of roughly $24,700, Gabon’s wealth stems mainly from its oil resources, coupled with timber and minerals. Its relatively small population means resource revenue translates into higher income per person. However, like many resource-dependent nations, Gabon faces pressure to diversify and reduce vulnerability to oil price shocks.

5. Botswana

Botswana sits comfortably at around $20,300 GDP per capita. The country is celebrated for its good governance, rule of law, and careful management of diamond revenues. It has invested in education, health, and infrastructure, making it a rare African success story where natural wealth has been managed transparently to benefit citizens.

6. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP per capita of nearly $20,500, thanks to vast oil reserves. However, the benefits are unevenly distributed, with a wide gap between elites and ordinary citizens. The government has started investing in infrastructure and services, but the heavy dependence on oil keeps its economy vulnerable to global market swings.

7. Algeria

Algeria’s GDP per capita is around $18,300, driven largely by hydrocarbons. Oil and gas dominate exports, but the government is making moves toward renewable energy and industrial diversification. With a young population, Algeria’s challenge lies in reducing unemployment and ensuring growth reaches ordinary households.

8. Libya

Despite years of political instability, Libya still records a GDP per capita of about $17,600, thanks to its large oil reserves. The country’s economic potential remains huge if stability is restored. Oil revenue has the capacity to fund infrastructure, education, and healthcare, but governance challenges have slowed progress.

9. South Africa

South Africa, with a GDP per capita close to $16,000, is the continent’s most diversified economy. Mining, finance, services, and manufacturing make it a regional powerhouse. Yet persistent inequality, energy shortages, and unemployment weigh heavily on its progress. Still, it remains Africa’s financial hub and a key driver of continental trade.

10. Tunisia

Tunisia closes the top 10 with a GDP per capita (PPP) of about $14,700. It's a mixed economy that blends agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Political reforms and social stability will be crucial to sustain growth, but Tunisia stands out as one of North Africa’s most dynamic small economies, balancing tradition with modernization.

Final Takeaway

Africa’s top economies by per capita income reveal two big stories: small island nations like Seychelles and Mauritius thrive through diversification and smart policy, while resource-rich countries like Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya rely heavily on oil and gas. Others, like Botswana and South Africa, show the importance of good governance and economic diversity. For countries with ambitions to rise in this ranking, the formula is clear: diversify, invest in people, and manage resources wisely.