After referring to the 10 worst economies in Africa , see which countries enjoy currently a good gross domestic product ( GDP) in the continent. This ranking shows the 10 countries with the highest rates of growth in real GDP over the last three years, based on figures from the CIA World Factbook .
It is also based on projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the rate of corruption measured by Transparency International. In addition, the Human Development Index (HDI) calculated by the United Nations and GDP per capita given by the CIA from the figures of the IMF and the World Bank are also involved in the ranking.
It is not surprising that countries such as South Africa or Morocco are not included in this classification, and instead do not be surprised to see Ethiopia because it is a ranking based on an evolution and not an absolute economic position.
Also note that six of the top 10 countries are part of the Development Community (SADC), making it the region with the strongest growth of any continent.
Moreover, besides a healthy economy, these countries have in common a certain political stability. Thus, one will definitely not do without the other, which had already been noticed in the top 10 worst economies.
10 . MALAWI
This small country in southern Africa is little known to the general public. The few times it made it to the media, was to discuss the adoption of a Malawian child by the superstar Madonna in 2006.
But it is one of the few African countries to have stable growth. 80 % of the population depends on agriculture and the country is self-sufficient to feed its 15 million people, which is far from being the case for other African countries, as shown by the humanitarian disaster currently affecting the horn of Africa.
However, the population remains vulnerable: The GDP per capita is one of the lowest in the world. In addition, a sharp decline has been registered for three years in the leading sector, the production of tobacco. But it accounted for 60 % of foreign trade of Malawi. Bingu Wa Mutharika, an economist and also president since 2004 has recognized the need to diversify the economy.
9 . TANZANIA
Economic growth in Tanzania has also the advantage of being stable since the 2000s. It is between 6 and 7%.
The economy relies heavily on agriculture. But the balance of its GDP is particularly tourism. The country has the leading sites, including the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro. 20,000 tourists attempt to climb each year. Nature reserves also attract fans to their safaris. Then there is the mythical island of Zanzibar, which the government wants to make it a showcase of luxury.
On the other hand, the country is the fourth largest producer of gold in Africa. However, although exports have tripled in the past five years, the income derived from them did not grow: 70 million euros per year. Thus, the government has announced plans to increase taxes on mining companies.
8 . MOZAMBIQUE
One of the African countries with the highest growth rate. Since the end of the civil war in 1992, the country experienced a rapid recovery. Mozambique is the second largest aluminum producer after South Africa. The largest private investment in the country, the extraction of Mozal aluminum Smelter (PDF) Site near Maputo , the capital, contributes significantly to job creation and income since 1998.
In addition, a large part of the workforce is employed in the agricultural sector, including fishing. But despite this rapid growth, 70% of the population still lives below the poverty line, that is to say, with less than 70 cents a day.
7 . ETHIOPIA
Paradoxically, more than three million Ethiopians are currently threatened by famine, but the country is yet in the top 10 best African economies.
Because if the high - growth between 8 and 10 % over the last three years the per capita income is one of the lowest in the world. Coffee is the strength of the country and accounts for over 26 % of its exports of raw materials. The gold mining activity is also an important source of revenue.
But to the extent that the agricultural sector employs 85 % of the population and contributes to 45% to GDP, almost the entire country is affected when crops fail. And with a price increase of 30%, the population is no longer able to feed themselves.
Finally, Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that does not have a private economic sector.
6 . ZAMBIA
Zambia is dependent on the production of copper, which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. On the other hand, although strong economic growth, 63% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
For since the privatization of the mining sector in the 90s, it is mainly foreign companies that are enriched. Besides “royalty rates to be paid by the Zambian government companies are for example fixed at 3% , a far cry from those charged ( 5-10 %) in other developing countries ," wrote journalist Benin Alain Vicky in April.
As with all countries in the ranking, a distribution of wealth to all sectors that would sound theoretical economic health benefits for the entire population.
5. NIGERIA
The "Giant of Africa”, a nickname given due to its huge population. (The population is 167 million people, making it the most populous country in Africa).
Indeed, the economic growth is driven by the activity of the oil region to the south of the country. Nigeria is part of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) .
But the corruption that plagues the country that this wealth is seen more as a curse than a boon. Because if 80% of oil revenues accrue to the federal government, only 1% benefit the population, says the World Bank. In addition, the political destabilization by the Islamist sect Boko Haram fears a bleak economic future.
For now, the country's growth is undeniable. Nigeria could even take the place of South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy for the next 15 years, says the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.
4 . ZIMBABWE
The strong economic growth of Zimbabwe followed a decade of free-fall. Between 1998 and 2002, their commitment to the Second Congo War has brought down the economy. Then, between 2004 and 2009, hyperinflation was such that the country has suspended the use of its currency, the Zimbabwean dollar in favor of foreign currencies like the U.S. dollar, South African rand and the euro.
This has been a salvation. Since 2009, economic growth has soared , thanks to the return to a favorable business climate with the establishment of a national unity between Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe, in power for 24 years of government.
In July 2011, the government introduced a four-year plan that targets an annual growth of 7 %. He is counting on foreign investors to put public enterprises. This is an amazing new, insofar as Robert Mugabe has always been fiercely hostile to the economic role of whites in Zimbabwe.
However, the country retains the dubious record of the world's lowest HDI.
3 . BOTSWANA
Since its independence in 1966, the country has maintained a high economic growth, despite a blow during the economic crisis of 2008, the diamond mining activity counts for a lot and makes the richness of De Beers, which Boswanais State owns 15%. The country is the second largest producer in the world after South Africa.
But it is the agriculture that remains the main source of income for the Bostwanais. Raising beef also occupies an important place.
Another threat: the prevalence of AIDS, the second highest in the world. However, Botswana has the distinction of being the least corrupt country on the continent and one of the few democracies in Africa.
2 . REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville economy relies mainly on oil revenues, which represents 90 % of exports and 85 % of revenues. This is both strength and a weakness, according to President Denis Sassou Nguesso himself, who said in August wanting to diversify the economy.
“To be prudent, we do not continue to put all our eggs in one basket of oil. It is vital that we diversify our economy by rapidly developing other sectors, “he said.
The export of timber could, for example, play a more important role. Moreover, the Congo is one of the only countries in the ranking to have a medium human development index. This shows a commitment by the State in the development of sectors such as health or education.
1 . GHANA
Ghana is undoubtedly the current champion of growth in Africa.
This English-speaking countries of West Africa, bordered with the Francophone countries should, according to IMF projections reach a high growth in 2013. Not only in Africa, but also in the world.
The agricultural sector is a third of GDP and employs half of the labour force. Its flagship product is cocoa. In addition, the basement of Ghana is rich in gold and oil. The expected new activity offshore oil extraction (since December 2010, on the platform Jubilee) income growth explain this growth, which has tripled since 2009.
In addition, the country is currently experiencing its lowest inflation rate since 1992 as Botswana, it is one of the few African democracy headed by John Atta Mills, president since 2009.