10 Most Developed Countries in Africa

This article will list the most developed countries in Africa.

Developing countries in Africa are economies built for expansion and development in the future. It comprises a certain percentage of African countries at present.

I will split the article into sections, briefly explaining each country and why they are considered in this category.

Top 10 Developed Countries in Africa

Here is a list of the ten fastest developing countries in Africa. We will soon update the article with the top 10 developed countries in Africa:

1. Mauritius

Mauritius is the most developed country in Africa. It is in the Indian Ocean and has a total population of 8,622.68 as of 2020.

It is one of the smallest sovereign nations on earth. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has become an upper-middle-income country with a gross national per capita GDP of $10.91 billion as of 2020.

This small country depends on tourism, which makes up 20% of its GDP. It also has finance, textiles, and sugar industries, among others.

Mauritius is one of the most well-developed countries in Africa, with an HDI score of 0.804. It is the only African country with a Very High Human Development Index score.

2. Seychelles

Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, 98,462 (2020).

It is one of the smallest sovereign nations on earth. With its small size comes a small government with only 13 cabinet ministers.

Seychelles gained independence from Britain in 1976. The country has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Africa, at $11,425.09 (2020)

This small country has a large tourism industry besides fishing and finance. The HDI in Seychelles is a high of 0.796.

3. Algeria

Another one of the top developing countries in Africa is Algeria. It is in North Africa and has a total population of 43.85 million.

According to the World Bank, Algeria gained independence from France in 1962 and became an upper-middle-income economy. Its GDP per capita was $3,310 as of 2020.

The country is heavily reliant on energy exports in natural gas and oil, and The HDI of Algeria is 0.748.

4. Tunisia

Tunisia is one of the most developing countries in Africa that borders Algeria. It is on the Mediterranean Sea and has a population of 11.82 million.

It gained independence from France in 1956 and is currently a middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $3.319 as of 2020.

Tunisia has an agriculture industry which makes up 9% of its exports. Besides this, it has small enterprises besides tourism. It also produces textiles and oil. Tunisia’s Human Development Index score (HDI) is 0.740.

5. Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It has a total population of 2,352 million.

It gained independence from Britain in 1966 and is currently an upper-middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $6,711 as of 2020.

The economy depends on diamond mining, tourism, livestock agriculture (cattle), subsistence farming, and financial services. The HDI of Botswana is a high of 0.735.

6. Libya

One of the most developing countries in Africa is Libya. It is in North Africa and has a total population of 6,871 million.

It gained independence from Italy in 1951 and became an upper-middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $3,699 as of 2020.

Oil makes up almost the country’s exports, while agriculture accounts for 2%. Libya has a small mining industry and tourism, and textiles. Its HDI is 0.724.

7. South Africa

The most famous country in Africa is South Africa. It has a total population of 59.31 million.

It gained independence from Britain in 1961 and has become an upper-middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $5,090 as of 2020.

The key economic sectors in South Africa are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial services, transport, mining, agriculture, and tourism. The HDI of the country is 0.709.

8. Egypt

Number 8 on the list of most developing countries in Africa is Egypt. It is in North and Central Africa and has a total population of 102.3 million.

Egypt gained independence from Britain in 1922 and is now an upper-middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $3,548 as of 2020.

Egypt’s economy relies mainly on agriculture, media, petroleum imports, natural gas, and tourism. The HDI in Egypt is a low of 0.707, ranking 116 out of 188 countries.

9. Gabon

Located in Central Africa, Gabon is one of the most developing countries in Africa. It has a total population of 2.226 million.

Gabon gained independence from France in 1960 and became an upper-middle-income economy. The GDP per capita is $7,006 as of 2020.

Oil makes up 80% of exports, although it relies on the mining, forestry, and fishing industries. The country has a tourism industry as well. Gabon’s HDI is 0.703, with an impressive ranking of 119 out of 188 countries for this indicator.

10. Morocco

Last on our list of top developing countries in Africa is the Kingdom of Morocco. It is in North Africa and has a total population of 36,91 million.

It gained independence from France in 1956 and is one of Africa’s upper-middle-income economies. The GDP per capita was $3,009.25 as of 2020.

Morocco’s leading economic sectors are textiles, leather goods, food processing, oil refining, and electronic assembly. The HDI in the country is 0.686, ranking 121 out of 188 countries worldwide.

Features of Developing Countries in Africa

The following defines a developing country:

1. Stable and Functional Government

Relatively stable governments that are effective in running the country lead these countries.

2. Robust Infrastructure

The country has a modern and well-developed infrastructure.

3. Strong Educational System

Most developing countries in Africa have universal or near-universal literacy rates on this list. They also have a robust national education system that caters to the needs of their people.

4. Ample Job Opportunities

A developing country is one where there are ample job opportunities for its citizens.

5. Comprehensive Health and Social Services

A measure of social protection ensures that everyone in the country, both the young and the old, can achieve good health.

6. High Personal Freedom

To qualify as a developing African country, the citizens must enjoy high personal and political freedoms.

What is Human Development Index?

The Human Development Index (HDI) measures the progress of humanity by evaluating several criteria.

Most developing countries in Africa on our list have a high Human Development Index score. Mauritius, the only nation with a Very High Human Development Index score, ranks 1st.

While the rest of the countries have Low, medium, or High scores.

The Human Development Index measures overall human development by evaluating several criteria. It mainly focuses on three critical pillars:

1. A long and healthy life, as measured by the average length of life in good health

2. Knowledge, as measured by a person’s attainment in literacy and essential knowledge related to science, math, history, etc.

3. A decent standard of living, as measured by the average income per person in the country.

Complete list of Developing Countries in Africa

This table summarizes developing countries in Africa based on the Human Development Index (HDI).

Source: UN Human Development Report

The only African country missing from this report is Somalia.

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