Top 10 Most Developed Countries in Africa With Reasons

There are 54 countries in Africa, about half of which are developed to a large extent, and the rest are still developing. 

However, Africa has always been seen as one continent with no clean water or food and no schools. We are still seen as ‘barbaric’ in the eyes of Europeans.

Do you think countries in Africa still eat food from trees? Wait until you discover that Africa manufactures and refines most foods and natural ingredients other continents eat.

Do you think Africa has no mind-blowing and well-structured buildings and roads? Wait until you get shown around Rwanda, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, and Ethiopia. 

Do you think Africa is backward in technology? Then wait until you get shown around Nigeria, where technology has become the number one industry currently, with numerous start-up companies. 

Do you think Africa is poor? Then wait till you get shown each country’s worth; then you’ll be in awe that you have been brainwashed all your life about Africa. 

Below is a list of the most developed countries in Africa, according to various metrics such as gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI). 

These countries have strong economies and relatively high levels of education and healthcare, which contribute to their overall development.

Top 10 Most Developed Countries in Africa

Africa is a diverse continent with a wide range of economies, from highly developed to least developed.

It isn’t easy to definitively rank the most developed countries in Africa, as different sources may use different criteria and methodologies to measure development.

However, some countries that are often considered to be among the most developed in Africa include:

1. Mauritius

This island nation has a strong and diversified economy, a thriving tourism industry, and a growing financial sector. 

Mauritius has an average annual growth of 0.055%, an HDI of 0.802, and a gross national income per capita of 25,266 USD.

Although it is a small nation, most of Africa’s billionaires are recorded from there. This is one of the most economically developed countries in Africa.

Read also: How to boost Intra – African Trade. 

2. South Africa

South Africa is the most industrialized and technologically advanced country in Africa, with a strong manufacturing sector and well-developed infrastructure.

It is well known for its upper-middle power in international affairs and its control of regional influences.

The country has an average annual growth of 0.50%, HDI of 0.713, and Gross national income per capita of 129,129 USD. 

The country is a part of the commonwealth of nations. The country is one of the most popular countries, with about 59.31 million people.

Since the country gained independence from Britain in 1961, it has developed in numerous sectors, such as; financial services, transport, mining, agriculture, wholesaling, manufacturing, and retailing. Its economy has become a massive one.

3. Tunisia

Also one of the most developed countries in Africa, Tunisia has a diversified economy with a strong manufacturing base, and it is leading in textiles and clothing in Africa.

The country uses agriculture for exports. They are into tourism, and they also produce oil. 

It became independent in 1956 after being colonized by France. The country, which is on the Mediterranean sea, has more than 11.82 million population, and the country borders Algeria. 

The country has an average annual growth of 0.14%, HDI of 0.740, and Gross National Income per capita of 10,414 USD.

4. Egypt

Egypt has a large and diversified economy, with a significant agricultural sector and a growing tourism industry. It is recorded to have much regional influence in north Africa. 

The total population in Egypt is over 102.3 million. The country has an average annual growth of 0.73%, an HDI of 0.707, and a gross national income per capita of 11,466 USD.

Since the country gained independence from Britain in 1922, they have been excelling in sectors like; agriculture, imports, media, tourism, and natural gas.

5. Morocco

The next developed country in Africa is Morocco. Morocco has a diverse economy with a strong agricultural sector and a growing manufacturing base, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries.

It gained independence from France in 1956 and has been great ever since. 

Its economy is in the upper-middle income class level. It has medium power and influence in international affairs in the Arabian world and Africa.

The country is a member of the African Union and others, and It has the 5th richest economy in Africa. The country has an average annual growth of 1.14%, an HDI of 0.686, and a gross national income per capita of 73.368 USD.

Morocco also is one of the most economically developed countries in Africa.

6. Libya

Libya is populated with 6,871 million people. It was reported that the country had the greatest human development index of any nation when Mohammed Gaddafi was still alive and reigning. 

However, when the US and Libya war began, and Gaddafi was killed, it lost that stand. Still, Libya remains developed; its massive roads and cities, buildings, and views are breathtaking and can even be compared to the most beautiful nations outside Africa.

Libya, which is in North Africa, gained independence from Italy in 1951 and has been the most developed country in Africa since then. The country has an average annual growth of 0.26%, an HDI of 0.724, and a gross national income per capita of 15.688 USD.

Read also: Top 10 Insightful Career Webinars you should attend in Africa.

7. Equatorial Guinea

This country is developed in the oil industry and architecture sectors. The country, also called EQG, is the only former Spanish colony in Sub-Saharan Africa and the second country to be developed in sub-Saharan Africa.

The country has an average annual growth of 0.49%, an HDI of 0.592, and a gross national income per capita of 13.944 USD. EQG was developed in 2017.

8. Algeria

This large North African country of more than 43,85 million people has a strong economy and a high literacy rate, making it one of the most developed countries on the continent.

It is the most developed country in north Africa and among the top developed in all of Africa’s continents.

Algeria has an average annual growth per capita of 0.30%, a Human Development index of 0.745, and a Gross income of 11,174 USD.

9. Seychelles

Seychelles is recorded as the most developed country in Africa according to the human development index (HDI).

The country has topped as the most developed country because of its developed streets and buildings and several airports, and it is recorded as one of the richest countries in Africa. 

The country has an average annual growth per capita of 0.10%, HDI of 0.785, and Gross national income per capita of 26,904 USD

10. Nigeria

Nigeria, although it might have been bad-mouthed and looked down upon for a few years, is included as the most developed country in Africa due to several reasons.

We cannot forget the greatness of natural resources, technology, petroleum, and agriculture. Airports, railways, and roads have become developed.

Nigeria gained independence in 1960 from Britain and has since been thriving to excel in various sectors. Nigeria is also referred to as the Giant of Africa because it has 216.7 Million people.

GDP in Nigeria is expected to reach 454.00 USD Billion by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations.

In the long-term, Nigeria’s GDP is projected to trend around 468.99 USD Billion in 2023 and 485.40 USD Billion in 2024, according to our econometric models. 

Read also: Top 10 Venture Capitalists in Africa. 

African Countries With the Most Natural Resources 

Africa is one of the continents with the most natural resources. However, most countries with the highest natural resources are the least developed countries.

This might be confusing because it ought to be the opposite.  Nevertheless, here are the top sixteen countries in Africa with the highest Natural Resources.

1. Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa well known as the best producer of crude oil in Africa and the 5th highest oil producer in the world.

40% of its GDP is from the export of oil. Other natural resources in Nigeria are coal, gold, and bromate.

2. South Africa

South Africa is known for its diverse mineral resources. It ranks second in the production of; Ilmenite, Zirconium, palladium, and Rutile, and also, and they rank first when it comes to the production of; vermiculite, vanadium, chromium, manganese, and platinum.

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3. Botswana

Botswana leads when it comes to the production of diamonds made from real gems. It owns 35% of Africa’s Nicole, Ash, Carbon, and Diamonds.

4. Mozambique

Mozambique is blessed with coal. It also ranks high when it comes to having aluminum in Africa, accounting for 2% of the market.

5. Liberia

It is rich in lots of natural resources such as; gold, diamond, iron, futile soil, forestry, and fishery in which the potential of these resources remains largely untapped.

6. Central African Republic

Rich in; copper, manganese, iron, coal, petroleum, and diamond. The exploitation of these natural resources represents over half of the Gross Domestic Product of 3,206 USD.

Timber, gold, and diamond for most of the earnings from exports.

7. Algeria

As the 6th largest gas exporter, the country has the 10th largest proven reserve of natural resources gas in the world and also owns the three largest reserves of shell gas. 

8. Morocco

This country has natural resources such as; silver, manganese, lead, fluorine copper, iron, zinc, cobalt, and others.

It is recorded that Morocco has produced 99,000 tons of manganese, 100,000 tons of iron, 126,000 tons of copper, and 102,000 tons of zinc.

9. Kenya

Kenya is blessed with gas, oil, soda ash, gemstones, limestone, hydropower, wildlife, and zinc.  

The country has moved from what they base their economy on, tourism and agriculture, to mineral resources.

10. Namibia

A quarter of the country’s annual income comes from uranium. The country is now diverse in the mining industry, which leads to a significant increase yearly.

11. Zambia

It is recorded that Zambia owns 65%-77% of the world’s copper and is the richest copper-producing country in Africa. They utilize their copper for the construction of electrical wiring.

The country produces brass and bronze together with iron. This has made unemployment in Zambia and has boosted the country’s GDP in the act.

12. Egypt

Egypt is one of the countries in Africa that also have gas. The country has invested much in the reservation of gas across its cities.

13. Ghana

Ghana is also rich in limestone and iron and popularly known for gold. The country also has salt and deposits resources like rudile and many more.

14. The Republic of Guinea

This country is rich in subsoil, which is rich in petroleum, phosphate, iron, diamond, gold, and uranium. This soil significance can be proven as a 40 billion deposit by estimate. 

The quantity of the high-quality iron exploited results in an annual output of 100 million tons. 

15. Mali

Mali is one of the countries in Africa whose main natural resource is gold which can be found in the southern part of the country. It is the 4th gold-producing country in Africa. 

The country is also rich in calcium, iron, manganese, tin, phosphate, marble lead, copper, diamond, and lithium. 

From this list of countries in Africa for both developed countries and natural wealth, there’s no doubt that Africa is far beyond what we take it to be; many of the countries are developed, and many other countries are developing. 

The Future of Africa

Although more African countries are yet to be developed, they are in the state of development and are striving to become developed.

Now, we look at the continent with great hopes and anticipate a promising future. Someday, other continents would take Africans seriously and tell them about their beauty.

By 2050, most countries in Africa have sworn to shock the entire world, and are working towards  breaking every barrier on the path to our growth and progress as Africans.

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Maryann Opatola

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