Insider Monkey is a finance website that tracks hedge funds and corporate insiders, offering a premium newsletter with a proprietary strategy, has released its yearly ranking of Africa’s 35 poorest countries based on GDP per capita in 2023. The Gambia is ranked 17th, just behind Guinea-Bissau and just ahead of Togo.

Poverty in Africa

Africa has the most destitute countries in the world, accounting for 23 of the top 30 poorest countries. Political and economic instability have plagued the continent, with 1.1 billion people living in abject poverty. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the poorest populations, with 12 million suffering from deprivation of 90–100%. Poverty affects 49.5% of the population on average in these places.

Regional Economic Outlook 

Africa, rich in resources like minerals, gold, and petroleum, has experienced significant progress in recent years, reducing poverty. However, the continent needs to enhance development to sustain economic growth. 2023 has been challenging for African economies due to high inflation, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Israel’s bombing of Gaza. The global economy is expected to slow, with Africa’s growth projected to fall from 4% in 2022 to 3.3% in 2023.

35 Poorest Countries in Africa Based on 2023 GDP Per Capita

Our Methodology

We took information from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) database of the global GDP per capita by country to create our list of the poorest nations in Africa based on GDP per capita. The values used are purchasing power parity (PPP), which is computed by deducting price discrepancies and nominal changes in both the US dollar and the local currency.

We arranged the nations according to their GDP per person, ranking them lower.

We used GDP to rank the nations based on similar GDP per capita (PPP). On the list, the nation with the lowest GDP (PPP) is ranked higher. The GDP (PPP) information was obtained from the IMF database.

35. Ghana

GDP Per Capita (2023): $6,910

GDP (2023): $227.19 Billion

Officially the Republic of Ghana is a country situated in West Africa. The country has a GDP of $227.19 billion and a GDP per capita of $6,910. Ghana is the least poorest country in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

34. Kenya

GDP Per Capita (2023): $6,580

GDP (2023): $338.96 Billion

Kenya is located along the Indian Ocean in East Africa and is one of the most stable economies in the region. With a GDP of $338.96 billion and a GDP per capita of $6,580, Kenya ranks 34th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

33. Nigeria

GDP Per Capita (2023): $6,150

GDP (2023): $1.37 Trillion

Nigeria is one of the richest African countries compared to the rest of the economies in the region. The country has a GDP of $1.37 trillion and a GDP per capita of $6,150. Nigeria is the only trillion-dollar economy to rank among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

32. Republic of the Congo

GDP Per Capita (2023): $5,550

GDP (2023): $27.99 Billion

The Republic of the Congo is a Central African country. The country has a GDP of $27.99 billion. With a GDP per capita of $5,550, the Republic of the Congo ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

31. Cameroon

GDP Per Capita (2023): $4,660

GDP (2023): $133.34 Billion

Cameroon is a Central African country, located around the Gulf of Guinea. Cameroon has a GDP of $133.34 billion and a GDP per capita of $4,660. The country is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

30. Senegal

GDP Per Capita (2023): $4,320

GDP (2023): $78.55 Billion

Senegal is a West African country having a GDP of $78.55 billion. Senegal is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita, with a GDP per capita of $4,320.

29. Benin

GDP Per Capita (2023): $4,310

GDP (2023): $59.24 Billion

Benin is a West African country with a GDP of $59.24 billion. With a GDP per capita of $4,310, Benin ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

28. Sao Tome and Principe

GDP Per Capita (2023): $4,150

GDP (2023): $960 Million

Sao Tome and Principe’s economy is mainly based on cocoa and investment in its oil industry. Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $960 million and a GDP per capita of $4,150. Sao Tome and Principe is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

27. Zambia

GDP Per Capita (2023): $4,070

GDP (2023): $83.69 Billion

Zambia is situated in the southern part of Africa and has a GDP of $83.69 billion. The country has a GDP per capita of $4,070. Zambia is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

26. Ethiopia

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,750

GDP (2023): $393.3 Billion

Ethiopia is one of the largest economies among the poorest countries in Africa. Ethiopia has a GDP of $393.3 billion and a GDP per capita of $3,720.

25. Tanzania

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,600

GDP (2023): $227.73 Billion

Tanzania is located in East Africa having a GDP of $227.73 billion. The country has a large and underdeveloped economy. With a GDP per capita of $3,600, Tanzania is placed 25th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

24. Sudan

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,600

GDP (2023): $172.65 Billion

Sudan is a country located in North Africa and has a GDP of $172.65 billion. With a GDP per capita of $3,600, Sudan ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

23. Comoros

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,460

GDP (2023): $3.43 Billion

Located in East Africa, Comoros has a GDP of $3.43 billion and a GDP per capita of $3,460. Comoros is ranked 23rd among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

22. Guinea

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,240

GDP (2023): $48.75 Billion

The West African country has a GDP of $48.75 billion. Guinea has a GDP per capita of $3,240 and ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

21. Lesotho

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,230

GDP (2023): $6.92 Billion

Lesotho is situated in the southern part of Africa. The country has a GDP of $6.92 billion and a GDP per capita of $3,230. Ranked 21st on our list, Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

20. Uganda

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,220

GDP (2023): $145.16 Billion

Uganda is a landlocked country situated in East Africa having a GDP of $145.16 billion. With a GDP per capita of $3,220, Uganda is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

19. Rwanda

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,140

GDP (2023): $42.35 Billion

Rwanda is a small country located in East Africa. Rwanda has a GDP of $42.35 billion and a GDP per capita of $3,140. The country is placed 19th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

18. Guinea-Bissau

GDP Per Capita (2023): $3,090

GDP (2023): $5.98 Billion

Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country located in West Africa along the Atlantic coast. The country has a GDP of $5.98 billion and a GDP per capita of $3,090. Guinea-Bissau is ranked among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

17. The Gambia

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,840

GDP (2023): $7.5 Billion

The Gambia is a small West African state having a GDP of $7.5 billion. With a GDP per capita of $2,840, The Gambia is placed 17th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

16. Togo

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,770

GDP (2023): $25.1 Billion

The West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, Togo suffers from political instability, external debts, and fluctuations in commodity prices. With a GDP of $25.1 billion and a GDP per capita of $2,770, Togo ranks as one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

15. Zimbabwe

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,750

GDP (2023): $44.45 Billion

Zimbabwe is a country located in the southern part of Africa. The country has a GDP of $44.45 billion and a GDP per capita of $2,750. Zimbabwe is ranked 15th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

14. Burkina Faso

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,680

GDP (2023): $62.79 Billion

Burkina Faso is situated in the western part of Africa and has a GDP of $62.79 billion. The country has a population of 23.41 million and a GDP per capita of $2,680. Burkina Faso ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

13. Mali

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,640

GDP (2023): $61.63 Billion

Located in West Africa, Mali has a GDP of $61.63 billion. The country has a GDP per capita of $2,640. Mali is placed 13th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

12. Sierra Leone

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,100

GDP (2023): $17.78 Billion

Sierra Leone is located in West Africa having a GDP of $17.78 billion. With a GDP per capita of $2,100, Sierra Leone ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

11. Somalia

GDP Per Capita (2023): $2,000

GDP (2023): $32.08 Billion

Located in East Africa, Somalia has a population of 16.05 million and a GDP of $32.08 billion. Somalia has a GDP per capita of $2,000 and is placed 11th among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

The following ten African nations are the poorest in terms of GDP per capita in 2023. 

10. Madagascar

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,910

GDP (2023): $56.75 Billion

Madagascar is located on the southeastern coast of Africa and has a GDP of $56.75 billion. Madagascar has a GDP per capita of $1,910 and ranks among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

9. Chad

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,810

GDP (2023): $32.38 Billion

Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa with a GDP of $32.38 billion. With a GDP per capita of $1,810, Chad ranks ninth among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

8. Liberia

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,790

GDP (2023): $9.72 Billion

Located in West Africa, Liberia borders Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. The country has a GDP of $9.72 billion and a GDP per capita of $1,790. Liberia is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

7. Malawi

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,670

GDP (2023): $37.92 Billion

Malawi is located in East Africa with a GDP of $37.92 billion. With a population of 22.73 million and a GDP per capita of $1,670, Malawi is ranked seventh among Africa’s poorest countries based on 2023 GDP per capita.

6. Mozambique

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,580

GDP (2023): $53.71 Billion

Mozambique is situated in Southeast Africa having a GDP of $53.71 billion. Mozambique has a GDP per capita of $1,580 and is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

5. Niger

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,580

GDP (2023): $42.74 Billion

Niger has a GDP per capita of $1,580 and is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita. Niger has a GDP of $42.74 billion.

4. Democratic Republic of the Congo

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,510

GDP (2023): $150.88 Billion

Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and is about the same size as Western Europe. The country has a GDP of $150.88 billion and a GDP of $1,510. Democratic Republic of the Congo is placed fourth among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

3. Central African Republic

GDP Per Capita (2023): $1,110

GDP (2023): $5.68 Billion

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita. The Central African Republic has a GDP of $5.68 billion and a GDP per capita of $1,110.

2. Burundi

GDP Per Capita (2023): $890.81

GDP (2023): $11.55 Billion

Located in East Africa, Burundi has a GDP of $11.55 billion. With a population of 12.98 million and a GDP per capita of $890.18, Burundi is placed second among the poorest countries in Africa based on 2023 GDP per capita.

1. South Sudan

GDP Per Capita (2023): $475.81

GDP (2023): $7.14 Billion

South Sudan is not only the poorest country in Africa but also the poorest country in the world. South Sudan has a GDP of $7.14 billion and a GDP of $475.81.