Currency | Kenyan Shilling, Ethiopian birr, Somaliland shilling, Somali shilling Tanzanian shilling Djiboutian franc. |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Population | 404,263,089 |
GDP | ![]()
|
GDP growth | 4.8% |
GDP per capita | ![]() ![]() |
▲ 27.07% (Average) | |
Public finances | |
▲ 27.07% (Average) $341.68B [3] | |
All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars. |
The Economy of East Africa is characterized by diverse sectors, with agriculture playing a pivotal role, employing the majority of the population and contributing significantly to GDP. Key crops include coffee, tea, and horticultural products. East Africa is the fastest growing region in Africa. [4] The region has also seen rapid growth in tourism with Tanzania and Kenya pioneering tourism due to safari parks. Nairobi and Addis Ababa are the main financial hubs in East Africa. [5] East Africa has a total GDP of $511.96 Billion contributing to around 18% of Africa's GDP. Kenya and Ethiopia lead in GDP contributing 25% and 22% respectively to regional GDP while Seychelles and Mauritius lead in Gdp per capita.
As of 2025, Kenya is the largest economy in East Africa with a nominal GDP of $131.67 billion, followed closely by Ethiopia at $117.46 billion. Seychelles leads in GDP per capita at $21,630, with Mauritius second at $12,330. At the bottom, South Sudan and Burundi have the lowest GDP per capita at $251 and $490 respectively, reflecting significant income disparities across the region. East Africa has a total GDP of $511 Billion at Nominal and $1.7 Trillion at PPP, Kenya and Ethiopia accounts for close to half of the GDP each contributing 25% and 23% respectively. [6]
Rank | Country | Nominal GDP (USD billion) | GDP (PPP) (USD billion) | GDP per Capita (nominal USD) | GDP per Capita (PPP USD) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Africa | 511.96 | 1,724.30 | 1,205.52 | 4,060.23 | |
1 | ![]() | 131.67 | 401.97 | 2,470 | 7,530 |
2 | ![]() | 117.46 | 484.41 | 1,070 | 4,400 |
3 | ![]() | 85.98 | 293.59 | 1,280 | 4,370 |
4 | ![]() | 64.28 | 187.11 | 1,340 | 3,900 |
5 | ![]() | 31.51 | 117.77 | 625 | 2,340 |
6 | ![]() | 18.71 | 64.24 | 595 | 2,040 |
7 | ![]() | 15.50 | 41.35 | 12,330 | 32,910 |
8 | ![]() | 14.77 | 58.12 | 1,040 | 4,100 |
9 | ![]() | 12.99 | 32.50 | 766 | 1,920 |
10 | ![]() | 6.75 | 13.98 | 490 | 1,020 |
11 | ![]() | 4.59 | 9.94 | 4,340 | 9,410 |
12 | ![]() | 4.00 | 11.39 | 251 | 716 |
13 | ![]() | 2.20 | 4.27 | 21,630 | 42,010 |
14 | ![]() | 1.55 | 3.66 | 1,700 | 4,020 |
15 | ![]() | No data | No data | No data | No data |
East Africa is the fastest growing region in Africa. Rwanda, Ethiopia, Djibouti boast some of the fastest economic growth in the region. [7]
No. | Country and Flag | Real GDP Growth (in billions USD) |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 6.9 |
2 | ![]() | 6.5 |
3 | ![]() | 6.2 |
4 | ![]() | 5.6 |
5 | ![]() | 5.6 |
6 | ![]() | 5.5 |
7 | ![]() | 5.0 |
8 | ![]() | 4.9 |
9 | ![]() | 4.3 |
10 | ![]() | 3.7 |
11 | ![]() | 3.5 |
12 | ![]() | 3.2 |
13 | ![]() | No data |
14 | ![]() | -4.2 |
Nearly all East African countries have government debt to GDP percentage of more than 50%. Sudan has the highest (344%), 4 times larger than the following second country. This is due to the ongoing civil war. [3]
Djibouti and South Sudan have the highest account balance, while Kenya and Ethiopia have the least account balance. [8]
East Africa untapped crude oil is seen as considerable and giant fields of oil and gas with Tanzania gas production with Norway's Equinor with exports of natural gas from sea basin regions, Mozambique with TotalEnergies in gas fields with pipeline towards southern Africa country's such as south Africa, Somaliland SL10/SL13 oil blocs near with Exploration and near Production in Qishn fault regions with Anglo-Turk Genel Energy and Taiwan's CPC Taiwan, Somaliland media estimates of crude around 30 Bn barrels with recent oil discovery in southern Somaliland around 2 barrels of light crude oil from water well , new oil installations such as oil refinery's planned in Sahil, Somaliland Berbera by Singapore new silk Somaliland energy company. Uganda and major crude oil pipeline towards Tanzania ports with concession company TotalEnergies.Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia have oil bloc Schematics maps.
East Africa is home to several key economic hubs that significantly contribute to the region's overall economic landscape. Below are five major economic centres in East Africa:
Nairobi is the economic powerhouse of East Africa, serving as the region's primary financial center and hosting major corporations and banks. Its robust infrastructure and growing technology sector significantly contribute to economic activities and innovations across the region.
Addis Ababa plays a vital role in East Africa's economy as a hub for trade and commerce. Its central location and development initiatives make it a key player in fostering economic integration and facilitating investments within the region. Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa is the permanent hub in East Africa, with approximately over 45,000 weekly seats in the regional airline market, With 155 passenger and 68 freighter destinations making it a crucial connecting point for passengers and cargo.
Dar es Salaam is crucial to East Africa's economy due to its status as the largest port city in Tanzania. It serves as a primary transit point for goods entering and leaving the region, supporting trade and boosting economic growth.
Kampala contributes to East Africa's economy through its vibrant market activities and diverse industries. Its growth in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries enhances regional trade and investment opportunities.
Mombasa is essential to East Africa's economic landscape as a major port city facilitating maritime trade. Its economy is driven by shipping, tourism, and agriculture, significantly impacting trade flows within the East African community. It has the largest port in East Africa. [9]
Berbera trade links towards Ethiopia and Djibouti in Somaliland with major DP World redevelopment of Berbera port, and creation of Berbera Economic Zone (BEZ) New silk refinery construction of 30,000 barrel per day refinery opening in 2028 in Berbera, Berbera opened data center By Wingu Africa linked to submarine cables of Africa and Asia that would serve the region. New Africa-1 cable constructed by Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks linked by Somcable Telecommunications In Somaliland in Berbera.
Rank | Country | Population (millions) [10] |
---|---|---|
East Africa | 424.68 | |
1 | ![]() | 110.15 |
2 | ![]() | 67.18 |
3 | ![]() | 53.35 |
4 | ![]() | 50.42 |
5 | ![]() | 48.02 |
6 | ![]() | 31.44 |
7 | ![]() | 16.96 |
8 | ![]() | 15.90 |
9 | ![]() | 14.16 |
10 | ![]() | 13.77 |
11 | ![]() | 1.26 |
12 | ![]() | 1.06 |
13 | ![]() | 0.91 |
14 | ![]() | 0.10 |
15 | ![]() | no data |
Sudan has the worst inflation due to ongoing civil war, while South Sudan is due to decline in oil revenues due to factors such as currency depreciation. Although most countries in East Africa are recovering from inflation, Sudan and South Sudan are having hyperinflation. [11]