Kenya ranks seventh in Africa’s 2026 GDP list with $151.2 billion output

The International Monetary Fund’s DataMapper estimates total nominal GDP for Africa at about $3.63 trillion in 2026, with the five largest economies accounting for roughly $1.85 trillion of that output.

South Africa leads the continent with a projected GDP of $489.1 billion, followed by Egypt at $442.9 billion and Nigeria at $386.7 billion.

Angola’s oil‑driven recovery lifts it to sixth place with a projected $157.3 billion, overtaking Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.

Kenya’s GDP is estimated at $151.2 billion, making it the largest economy in East Africa and the seventh‑largest on the continent.

The Democratic Republic of Congo enters the top ten with $122.3 billion, pushing Côte d’Ivoire out of the elite group.

All figures are IMF projections for 2026, measured in current US dollars and subject to revision when national accounts are finalized.

Factors behind shifts in the rankings

Nominal GDP expressed in dollars is highly sensitive to exchange‑rate movements; a weaker naira, rand or pound can reduce a country’s dollar‑denominated output even if local production grows.

Nigeria’s drop from the top spot illustrates this effect, as sharp naira depreciation cut its dollar GDP more than its real output declined.