Tunisia ranked among the 10 largest merchandise-exporting economies in Africa in 2025, with exports estimated at $20.5 billion, according to a ranking published by AfricDigest based on the latest available data from Afreximbank.
The report highlights that Africa’s merchandise trade recorded a strong rebound in 2024, reaching $1.5 trillion, supported by increased intra-African trade, which rose to $220.3 billion.
However, the continent still accounts for only 3.3% of global merchandise exports.
At the top of Africa’s export ranking in 2025, South Africa led with exports estimated at $116.4 billion.
The country benefits from a diversified export model combining mineral resources, including gold, platinum and coal, with manufactured goods, vehicles, industrial equipment and agricultural products.
Morocco ranked second with around $89.4 billion in exports, driven by strong performance in several industries, particularly automotive, aerospace, phosphates and derivatives, as well as agri-food products.
Egypt came third with $50.2 billion in exports, relying on a diversified export base including hydrocarbons, chemicals, fertilizers, metals, agricultural products and manufactured goods.
Nigeria followed with nearly $49.9 billion in exports. Africa’s most populous country remains heavily dependent on crude oil, which represents a major source of foreign revenues, while also exporting natural gas, agricultural products and raw materials.
Algeria ranked fifth with about $43.4 billion in exports, mainly driven by natural gas and oil.
It was followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo ($32.1 billion) and Libya ($29 billion), whose exports remain largely supported by petroleum products.
Côte d’Ivoire also featured among Africa’s leading exporters, with $27.3 billion in exports, thanks to its strong agricultural sector, particularly cocoa, as well as exports of transformed agricultural products, petroleum and minerals.
The report noted that Africa’s export capacity remains concentrated among a limited number of economies, with South Africa and Morocco standing out due to their more diversified production bases and higher value-added industries.
