South Africa’s outstanding debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased from SDR 3.05 billion in March 2023 to SDR 762.8 million by March 2025.
The debt level remained unchanged at SDR 3.05 billion through the first three quarters of 2023.
Starting in December 2023, South Africa began making consistent quarterly repayments of SDR 381.4 million.
This trend demonstrates steady progress in debt reduction and a strengthened commitment to fiscal discipline.
The country is potentially on track for full repayment of its debt by the end of 2025.
Between 2016 and 2020, Kenya's debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined steadily by 59%, from SDR 609.8 million to SDR 249.9 million.
This downward trend reversed dramatically after 2020, with public debt rising to SDR 3.02 billion by March 2025.
The most significant annual increase occurred between 2020 and 2021, when debt jumped by 178%.
The lowest recorded debt level during the study period was in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell to approximately SDR 250 million.
Kenya’s IMF debt grew more than elevenfold (1,109%) from its 2020 low to its 2025 peak.
At -16.02% CAGR, Nigeria's GDP per capita is shrinking fast, signalling deep economic strain on its population despite being a top 4 African economy.
Angola recorded 8.28% CAGR, showing that smaller economies can drive significant per capita progress when policies and investments align with citizen welfare.
With 8.23% CAGR, Algeria continues to transform national wealth into measurable benefits for its people.
Ethiopia’s 6.86% annual growth in GDP per capita highlights how consistent development efforts can raise living standards even in densely populated, developing nations.
A modest 2.52% CAGR for South Africa might not sound like much, but in a mature economy, this reflects resilience and relative stability in per capita income.
Egypt has a -1.41% CAGR, showing mild contraction, but far less severe than Nigeria’s economic shrinkage.
Despite being among the top 4 economies by size, Nigeria ranks low in GDP per capita, revealing a disconnect between total wealth and individual prosperity.
With the highest nominal GDP and highest per capita GDP, South Africa showcases balanced growth and better wealth distribution.
Countries like Ethiopia and Nigeria have huge populations, which dilutes their GDP and drags down per capita figures.
Though fifth in total GDP, Morocco performs better in GDP per capita, highlighting efficiency in wealth distribution.
This proves that a country’s economic “size” doesn’t always translate to individual opportunity, wealth, or standard of living.
Economies like Nigeria and Ethiopia must focus not just on increasing GDP but on ensuring that economic growth improves lives at the grassroots level.
