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Africa is dominating the world’s fastest-growing economies as several of its nations are ranking among the fastest-growing economies worldwide with 12 nations in the top 20 and Zimbabwe is not on the list.
And on the list are South Sudan: 27.2%, Libya: 13.7%, Senegal: 9.3%, Sudan: 8.3%, Uganda: 7.5%, Niger: 7.3%, Zambia: 6.6%, Benin: 6.5%, Ethiopia: 6.5%, Rwanda: 6.5%, Côte d’Ivoire: 6.4% and Djibouti with a 6.0% growth rate.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), African countries are leveraging natural resources, policy reforms, and strategic investments to achieve unprecedented growth rates.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
South Sudan is heading the 20 nations with an extraordinary 27.2% GDP surge, fuelled by rebounding oil production and post-conflict stability. Together with Libya the two countries are capitalizing on their oil wealth as global energy demand rises
South Sudan’s amazing recovery from a contraction of -26.4% in 2024 to a predicted increase of 27.2% in 2025 demonstrates the transformative influence of resource stabilisation.
Similarly the likes of Zambia and Niger’s surge is also resource driven growth with profit from mining activities, particularly copper and uranium extraction, which are critical to global sectors such as renewable energy and technology.
Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have prioritised infrastructure development to support industrialisation and trade, putting them at 9.3% and 6.4% respectively. Projects like energy plants and transportation networks are boosting productivity and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Libya’s 13.7% growth comes from from oil sector recovery and political progress. Senegal (9.3%) and Sudan (8.3%) also rank among the top global performers, driven by hydrocarbon development, infrastructure spending, and economic reforms.
Rwanda’s governance reforms and concentration on technology have resulted in a business-friendly climate that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
While Sudan’s economic reforms seek to stabilise its currency and attract international aid, setting the framework for long-term prosperity despite continued problems.
Countries such as Uganda and Niger benefit from better political stability, which allows for long-term economic planning and industry diversification.
While oil remains important to many African economies, countries like Benin and Rwanda are diversifying into agriculture, services, and technology to minimise reliance on volatile commodity markets.
Besides oil, agricultural expansion and mining are important growth drivers. Uganda (7.5%) and Benin (6.5%) rely on agricultural exports, while Niger (7.3%) and Zambia (6.6%) benefit from mining investments. Rwanda (6.5%) and Côte d’Ivoire (6.4%) emphasise the need of governance reforms, technology adoption, and cocoa output in maintaining growth.
Africa’s average GDP growth rate of 4.2% in 2025 is higher than the global average of 3.2%, making it the second-fastest-growing continent after Asia. With nine African nations among the world’s top twenty fastest-growing economies, the continent is strengthening its role as a global economic engine.
However, political instability in countries like Libya poses risks to sustained economic recovery. Dependence on commodities exposes many economies to price volatility in global markets and climate change remains a pressing issue, particularly for nations reliant on agriculture.
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