The countries below are considered to be the economic powerhouses of the East African region and are responsible for a significant portion of the region’s GDP. Some of these countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are considered as the most developed economies in the region while others are still developing. These economies are driven by different sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and service sector.
The list below compiles the top 7 richest countries in East Africa according to their nominal GDP per capita.
**GDP per capita is a measure of a country’s economic output that accounts for population. It divides the country’s gross domestic product by its total population. That makes it the best measurement of a country’s standard of living. It tells you how prosperous a country feels to each of its citizens.
1. Djibouti
Djibouti is the richest country in East Africa and the eleventh-richest country in Africa with a Nominal GDP per capita of $3,425.
Djibouti’s economy is largely concentrated in the service sector. Commercial activities revolve around the country’s free trade policies and strategic location as a Red Sea transit point. The GDP in 2022 was estimated at $3.41 billion.
2. Kenya
Kenya is the second richest country in East Africa and the twentieth richest country in Africa with a nominal GDP per capita of $1,802.
Kenya also has largest economy in East Africa, with a GDP of $101.28 billion.
Kenya has made significant political and economic reforms that have contributed to sustained economic growth, social development, and political stability gains over the past decade.
Kenya’s government’s currently have a Vision 2030 development strategy in place, which aims to accelerate sustainable growth, reduce inequality, and manage resource scarcity.
3. Tanzania
Tanzania, which has a $64.4 billion GDP, and a GDP per capita of $1,017 is the third richest country in East Africa. Its economy is also the 3rd largest in East Africa after Kenya and Ethiopia.
After nearly a decade of sustained macroeconomic stability that has supported growth, in addition to the country’s rich natural endowments and strategic geographic position, Tanzania formally graduated from low-income country to lower-middle-income country status in July 2020.
4. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the fourth-richest country in East Africa with a GDP per capita of $800 and the seventh-largest economy in Africa with a nominal GDP of $93.97 billion. Ethiopia is also the largest and most populous nation in East Africa.
Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economy in Africa, with 6.3 percent growth in the fiscal year of 2020/21.
The government of Rwanda launched a 10-Year Development Plan, which will run from 2020/21 to 2029/30. The plan aims to sustain the remarkable growth achieved under the Growth and Transformation Plans of the previous decade. It also aims to foster efficiency and introduce competition in key growth-enabling sectors, improve the business climate, and address macroeconomic imbalances.
5. Uganda
Uganda has East Africa’s fifth highest per capita GDP of $773. The country also has a Nominal GDP of $37.44 billion.
The nation of Uganda is endowed with significant natural resources, including ample fertile land and mineral deposits but instability and erratic economic management has left Uganda among the world’s least-developed countries.
6. Rwanda
With a nominal GDP per capita $760 Rwanda is the sixth richest country in East Africa. Rwanda also has the fifth largest economy in East Africa with a GDP $10.33 billion.
Since the early-2000s, Rwanda has witnessed an economic boom, which improved the living standards of many Rwandans. The country’s economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture. Coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export.
7. Eritrea
With a nominal GDP per capita of $569, the small country of Eritrea is the seventh richest country in East Africa.
Eritrea is located at the banks of the Red Sea and is home to the second highest archaeological historical discoveries in Africa.
The country has an extensive amount of resources such as copper, gold, granite, marble, and potash but for some reason, Agriculture accounts for about one-third of the economy and employs over 60% of the Eritrean workforce.
Richest Countries in East Africa, 2022
| Rank | Country Name | GDP Per Capita (International Dollar) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Djibouti | $3,425 |
| 2 | Kenya | $1,082 |
| 3 | Tanzania | $1,017 |
| 4 | Ethiopia | $800 |
| 5 | Uganda | $773 |
| 6 | Rwanda | $760 |
| 7 | Eritrea | $569 |
Richest Countries in Africa, 2022
| Rank | Country Name | GDP Per Capita (International Dollar) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seychelles | $11,425 |
| 2 | Mauritius | $8,622 |
| 3 | Equatorial Guinea | $7,143 |
| 4 | Gabon | $7,005 |
| 5 | Botswana | $6,711 |
| 6 | South Africa | $5,090 |
| 7 | Namibia | $4,211 |
| 8 | Libya | $3,699 |
| 9 | Egypt | $3,547 |
| 10 | Eswatini | $3,415 |
| 11 | Djibouti | $3,425 |
| 12 | Tunisia | $3,319 |
| 13 | Algeria | $3,310 |
| 14 | Cabo Verde | $3,064 |
| 15 | Morocco | $3,009 |
| 16 | Cote d’Ivoire | $2,325 |
| 17 | Ghana | $2,328 |
| 18 | Sao Tome & principe | $2,157 |
| 19 | Nigeria | $2,097 |
| 20 | Congo, Rep. | $1,972 |
Top 10 Largest Economies In East Africa, 2022
Ethiopia tops the list of largest economies in East Africa with a GDP of $111 billion. Agriculture accounts for almost half of Ethiopia’s total GDP. The primary industries include mining and petroleum, Agriculture and more.
Kenya ranks as the second-largest economy in East Africa, with an economy that relies mainly on tourism, financial intermediation, agriculture and construction.
1. Ethiopia – $111.2 billion
According to the IMF, Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and one of the fastest-growing non-oil-dependent African economy in recent years.
The country has the largest economy in East Africa and is concentrated in the services and agriculture sectors.
Now worth $111.2 billion, the GDP value of Ethiopia represents 0.12 percent of the world economy.
2. Kenya – $110.3 billion
Kenya’s economy is the second largest in eastern and central Africa and the 6th largest economy in Africa with Nairobi serving as a major regional commercial hub. Kenya’s growth is driven by tourism, financial intermediation, agriculture and construction.
In recent years, the economy has seen much expansion, seen by strong performance in tourism, higher education and telecommunications.
3. Tanzania – $67.7 billion
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Tanzania is worth 67.7 billion US dollars making it the eleventh largest economy in Africa and the third largest economy in East Africa.
Tanzania is largely dependent on agriculture for employment, accounting for about half of the employed workforce.
According to official data from the World Bank, the GDP value of Tanzania represents 0.02 percent of the world economy.
4. Uganda – $40.4 billion
With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $50.5 billion, Uganda’s economy is the fourth largest economy in East Africa representing 0.03 percent of the world economy.
According to preliminary data, annual GDP growth accelerated to 4.6% in the 12 months to June 2022, up from 3.5% in the previous fiscal year driven by improved momentum in the services sector, a surge in mining output, and a steady growth in agricultural output.
The country of Uganda is endowed with significant natural resources, including ample fertile land, regular rainfall, and mineral deposits.
5. Sudan – $34.3 billion
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Sudan was worth 34.33 billion US dollars in 2021, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of Sudan represents 0.03 percent of the world economy.
Sudan’s GDP growth is driven mainly by mining and agriculture; and the inflows from oil transit fees and the transitional financial arrangement (TFA) with South Sudan.
6. Zimbabwe – $26.2 billion
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa known for its dramatic landscape and diverse wildlife, much of it within parks, reserves and safari areas.
With a GDP of $26.09 billion, the economy of Zimbabwe is the sixth largest in Eastern Africa and the seventeenth largest in Africa.
The main foreign exports of Zimbabwe are minerals, gold, and agriculture. Tourism also plays a key role in Zimbabwe’s economy.
7. Zambia – $21.2 billion
Through the first decade of the 21st century, the economy of Zambia was one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and its capital, Lusaka was the fastest growing city in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). But in recent years, Zambia’s economic performance has stalled due to declining copper prices, significant fiscal deficits, and energy shortages.The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Zambia was worth 21.20 billion US dollars in 2021, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of Zambia represents 0.02 percent of the world economy.
8. Mozambique – $16 billion
The economy of Mozambique is $16 billion by gross domestic product as of 2021 thanks to Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government’s revenue collection abilities.
In Mozambique, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy and employs more than 60 percent of the labour force. In 2020, agriculture contributed around 25.58 percent to the GDP of Mozambique, 21.78 percent came from the industry and 41.48 percent from the services sector.
9. Madagascar – $14.6 billion
Madagascar’s GDP in 2021 was estimated at US$14.6 billion, making it the 9th largest economy in East Africa.
Madagascar registered sporadic economic growth from 2017 through 2019 and then suffered a contraction in 2020. Growth resumed in 2021 and is expected to pick up to 4.2% in 2023 and 4.6% in 2024, driven by a modest rebound in consumer spending and private investment.
The agriculture sector constituted 29 percent of Malagasy GDP in 2021. With insufficient domestic demand, Madagascar’s economy is dependent on the exportation of their agricultural products. Madagascar’s other sources of growth are tourism, agriculture and the extractive industries.
10. Malawi – $12.6 billion
The economy of Malawi which is predominantly agricultural is the tenth largest economy in East Africa.
In 2022, the share of agriculture in Malawi’s gross domestic product was 22.73 percent, industry contributed approximately 18.38 percent and the services sector contributed about 52.44 percent.
Malawi invests more in agriculture (as a share of GDP) than any other African country: 28% of GDP.
Source: World Bank World Bank National Accounts Database, 2021.
