US News has published its latest Best Countries ranking for 2019, and according to its Power subranking, Egypt is the most powerful country in Africa.
The world’s most powerful countries also are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers and shape global economic patterns. Their foreign policies and military budgets are tracked religiously. When they make a pledge, at least some in the international community trust they will keep it.
The 2019 Best Countries rankings, formed in partnership with BAV Group, a unit of global marketing communications company VMLY&R, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, are based on a survey that asked more than 20,000 people from four regions to associate 80 countries with specific attributes.
The Power subranking is based on an equally weighted average of scores from five country attributes that related to a country’s power: a leader, economically influential, politically influential, strong international alliances and strong military.
Egypt, which is perceived to be Africa’s most powerful country, has one of the largest economy in Africa.
South Africa and Nigeria, the next two countries perceived to be the 2nd and 3rd most powerful countries in Africa, also have the two largest economies in Africa. Following the top three are Angola, and Ghana.
The report covers only 80 countries and ranks them on how global perceptions define them in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics like; economically influential, politically influential, strong international alliances and strong military.
| Africa Rank | Country | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 29 |
| 2 | South Africa | 31 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 46 |
| 4 | Angola | 56 |
| 5 | Ghana | 57 |
| 6 | Tanzania | 59 |
| 7 | Morocco | 61 |
| 8 | Tunisia | 63 |
