According to the latest data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Angola has surpassed Kenya to become the sixth-largest economy in Africa. This marks a new shift that alters the economic dominance Kenya previously held in East Africa and across the continent.
As reported by Kenyan media outlet Kenyans.co.ke, citing IMF data, Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from USD 140 billion (approximately Ksh 18.14 trillion) in January to USD 147.26 billion (Ksh 19.1 trillion), but it could not keep pace with Angola’s rapid growth. Currently, Angola’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reached USD 152.35 billion (Ksh 19.74 trillion), allowing the country to reclaim its former sixth-place position.
According to data released at the end of the previous calendar year in December 2025, Kenya had ranked higher by surpassing both Angola and Ethiopia, but Angola has now reclaimed that spot. This new economic ranking has inevitably put fresh pressure on Kenya’s domestic politics.
Kenyan President William Ruto has frequently referenced the country’s economic growth milestones to defend and praise his administration’s “Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda” (BETA). In his recent State of the Nation Address, the President noted that Kenya had moved from being the 8th largest economy in Africa to the 6th, attributing this rise to strategic reforms and economic resilience. However, this latest ranking change has sparked fresh political and economic debate surrounding the president’s administration.
The IMF data released in April 2026 shows that South Africa maintains its position as the continent’s leading economic powerhouse. Remarkably, South Africa held onto this rank despite being rocked by numerous protests and instability over the past month. South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at USD 479.96 billion, which is nearly three and a half times the size of Kenya’s economy.
Looking at the continent’s major economic powers in order, South Africa ranks 1st with USD 479.96 billion, followed by Egypt in 2nd with USD 429.65 billion, and Nigeria in 3rd with USD 377.37 billion. Algeria holds the 4th position at USD 317.17 billion, Morocco is 5th at USD 194.33 billion, Angola sits at 6th with USD 152.35 billion, and Kenya follows in 7th place with USD 147.26 billion.
Within the East African region, Kenya still maintains its leadership position. Following Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds second place with USD 123.41 billion (Ksh 15.99 trillion), while Ethiopia ranks third at USD 121.53 billion (Ksh 15.74 trillion). In contrast, Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product has dropped to USD 94.89 billion, and Uganda’s has been recorded at around USD 73.37 billion.
