This article was written by Higgins Mbugua;opinions expressed may not necessarily be in line with that of BIZNA’s. 
Higgins is a pro URP activist, to read more of his posts visit thekenyanoline.

1. Nigeria

Oil = 70% of government revenues. No middle class worth writing home about despite being Africa’s most populous state. Just 200 or so looter-superbillionaires and a mass of serfs. Infrastructure is a big cruel joke outside of Abuja and Lagos. Government recently claimed to have built a ‘new railway’ yet stocked it with trains from China from the 1950s. Takes them 5 to ten years years to build a 180km highway. Has stuck around Amnesty International’s Most Corrupt Country On Earth top 5 list for so long that they are thinking of making it a permanent member there.

2. S. Africa

Mineral exports (Gold, coal, platinum & palladium, chromium, diamonds) are 18 to 20% of GDP. A whopping 62% of black Africans live in abject poverty one of the highest percentages in the continent. Crime and political chaos/dictatorship creeping in (as shown recently when bulky police commandos stormed parliament to eject members for asking simple questions of the president) as well as power shortages and aging infrastructure are hobbling Africa’s most diversified economy. Standard of living has steadily declined since liberation in 1994 with downtown Johannesburg now an urban ghetto full of ‘hijacked” empty buildings with broken windows, no stima or water. There are more murders in this country than the rest of Africa that is not at war put together. Also the rape and armed robbery capital of the world.

3. Egypt

Oil production has been declining steadily since 1993 and is now worth only 7% of GDP. A dictatorship under Hosni for 40 years, not much has changed since despite several revolutions. The Economist recently called Egypt’s bankrupt economy “A Pyramid Scheme.”

4. Algeria

Petroleum, gas and electronics account for a whopping 97% of exports. Little else of value comes out of Algeria.

5. Angola

Was recently in the news for harboring Kenyan slaves . War gutted economy. Oil was its savior. The sector accounts for a mind boggling 50% of GDP and 90% of export earnings. No infrastructure at all outside Luanda. Zero! Luanda itself is a crumbling shortage-wracked city that has only started rebuilding within the past 10 years. Dangerous land mines still lurk in two thirds of the rest of the country making traveling out of Luanda a very dangerous affair.

6. Morocco

Consistently ranks as one of the world’s largest exporters of Cannabis and Hashish. Phosphates exports barely keeping it afloat. But is considered one of the better managed economies in Africa.

7. Sudan

Oil accounts for 70 to 90% of exports. Constantly at war for much of the past 60 years. Darfur war still ongoing. Border wars with South Sudan are a routine affair.

8. Kenya

Largest no mineral economy in Africa. Highly diversified domestic economy and export market with no single country it exports to receiving more than 13% of export output. Considered East and Central Africa’s hub of financial, communication and transport services. Holds the largest black middle class in Africa; a remarkable feat considering it has a modest GDP, average population, and is currently not exporting any minerals or oil to speak of. Considered the main entry point in Africa other than South Africa, for MNCs seeking a foothold in the continent. Agriculture as a proportion of GDP has steadily declined, reflecting the increasing diversification of the economy. Industry comprises an impressive 20% of the economy, Services about 45%. Diaspora remittances have steadily increased to about USD 1.5 Billion in 2014, accounting for an increasingly bigger slice of forex earnings for the country. Rapidly modernizing its infrastructure (third largest spending in infrastructure in Africa projected for 2015). Also projected to be third fastest growing economy in the world this year.

9. Ethiopia

Known for famine, strife and bizarre land laws but has been investing heavily in infrastructure and textiles. Kenya needs to be very careful about this one as it too is making all the right investment decisions that will pay off big time for them in the future.

10 & beyond

Libya & Tunisia Once considered economic powerhouses. Overtaken by humble old Kenya despite their lakes of oil that account for bulk of revenues and exports.

Tanzania

Sick old leper of Africa. You cannot even own land in your own name nor borrow on it in much of the country jameni. Once you finish your harvest you give the land back to sirikali and go to the urban areas to cool your heels doing other things. Plus many of them talk and move too slowly (wazembe) and are still socialists at heart (Garlic you will really enjoy living there). Yet to master the mysteries of basic business principles.

Things look bright for Africa.