8 African countries classified as upper-middle-income economies

Upper-middle-income economies are classified by the World Bank based on their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

The GNI is calculated by summing the value added by resident producers, product taxes, and net receipts of primary income from abroad.

According to the World Bank, economies are divided into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high, with income measured by GNI per capita in US dollars, converted using the World Bank Atlas method.

For the 2025 fiscal year, the World Bank defines low-income economies as those with a GNI per capita of $1,145 or less, and lower-middle-income economies as those with a GNI per capita between $1,146 and $4,515.

Upper-middle-income economies have a GNI per capita between $4,516 and $14,005, while high-income economies exceed $14,005.

African governments can drive economic growth and transition to higher income levels through strategic policies, institutional reforms, and targeted investments.

Regional integration, trade expansion, and initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can accelerate growth, boost competitiveness, and increase economic resilience.

By implementing these measures, African governments can create the conditions necessary to move from low-income to middle-income and, eventually, high-income economies.

According to the World Bank data, 26 countries are classified as low-income economies, with 22 being African.

There are 51 lower-middle-income economies, including 21 African countries.

Eight African countries are classified as upper-middle-income economies out of 54 nations, and Seychelles is the only African country among the 86 high-income economies.

Although Seychelles does not have the largest economy in Africa, it stands out as the only country on the continent classified in the “very high” human development (HDI) category.

The country also ranks highest in Africa for good governance, according to the Mo Ibrahim Report, indicating strong institutional performance, political stability, and effective public service delivery.

Over time, several countries have taken the initiative to improve their citizens’ lifestyles, moving from one income group to the next higher group.

As of the 2000s, 63 countries were home to over 60% of the 1.8 billion people living in extreme poverty (Low income economies).

Since then, 39 of those nations have advanced to the middle-income rank.

However, the pace at which low-income countries (LICs) are moving up the income ladder has significantly slowed in recent years due to worsening internal and international circumstances, according to a World Bank report.

According to World Bank data, several African countries made up the list of upper-middle-class economies in 2025 and include;