- The IMF ranked South Africa as Africa's largest economy by GDP as of October 2026, ahead of Egypt and Nigeria
- Kenya placed seventh on the continent with a GDP of KSh 19.6 trillion (USD 151.15 billion), edging out Ghana and Ethiopia
- DR Congo entered the top 10 ranking with a GDP of KSh 15.9 trillion (USD 122.28 billion), rounding out the list
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
South Africa leads the continent as Africa's largest economy in 2026, according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with a GDP of KSh 63.5 trillion (USD 489.08 billion) as of October 2026.
Source: Twitter
Egypt follows in second place with a GDP of KSh 57.6 trillion (USD 442.89 billion), while Nigeria ranks third at KSh 50.2 trillion (USD 386.67 billion).
Algeria rounds out the top four with a GDP of KSh 43.1 trillion (USD 331.89 billion).
What is Kenya's position?
Kenya ranks seventh on the continent, recording a GDP of KSh 19.6 trillion (USD 151.15 billion).
The East African nation trails Angola, which occupies sixth place with KSh 20.4 trillion (USD 157.30 billion), and Morocco, which sits fifth with KSh 25.4 trillion (USD 195.63 billion).
Ghana follows Kenya in eighth position at KSh 16.7 trillion (USD 128.64 billion), with Ethiopia close behind in ninth at KSh 16.5 trillion (USD 127.15 billion).
The Democratic Republic of Congo completes the top 10 list with a GDP of KSh 15.9 trillion (USD 122.28 billion), placing it among the continent's most significant economies by output.
The rankings underline the continued economic dominance of North and Southern African nations, with South Africa and Egypt collectively accounting for a substantial share of the continent's total output.
Nigeria, despite holding third place, sits considerably below Egypt in GDP terms, reflecting the varying trajectories of major African economies heading into the latter half of the decade.
What are the GDPs of EAC countries?
In related news, we also highlighted facts about the largest economies in the East African Community, based on IMF data. Kenya ranked first with a GDP of $151.15 billion, ahead of the bloc’s seven other member states.
The gap between Kenya and second-ranked DR Congo reached $28.87 billion, while Kenya’s economy was nearly twice the size of Tanzania’s.
Burundi ranked last, with a GDP about one-twentieth of Kenya’s.
Source: TUKO.co.ke