Tunisia is one of the African countries most dependent on imports, with imports accounting for more than half of its economic output, ranking seventh on the continent.
In several countries, imports constitute a significant source of revenue for the state, particularly through customs duties and associated taxes.
But when their weight becomes too high relative to national production, they directly expose the economy to global price variations and external shocks.
To better visualize this dependence, Business Insider Africa relied on World Bank data, based on the year 2024, the latest available, to establish a ranking of African countries where imports represent the largest share of GDP.
The result highlights a limited group of highly vulnerable states, whose economies remain closely tied to instabilities in international markets and fluctuations in the costs of imported goods.
In Africa, Somalia and Lesotho top the ranking, with imports representing 99% of their GDP. Somalia’s dependence is explained by decades of conflict, very limited industrial potential, and a strong need to import food products and fuel.
Lesotho, for its part, pays the price for its small, landlocked economy, heavily reliant on its South African neighbor for consumer goods and industrial inputs.
Next comes Mauritius, where imports reach 78% of GDP, largely due to the country’s dependence on energy imports, raw materials, and food products.
Following are Namibia (68%) and Libya (57%), while Guinea ranks sixth with 56%.
Tunisia arrives just after, in seventh place, making it one of the African countries most dependent on imports, which represent more than half of its economic output. The top 10 is completed by: Cabo Verde (54%), Eswatini (54%), and Mozambique (53%).
It is worth noting that, despite the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at reducing external dependence and boosting intra-African trade, some countries remain extremely vulnerable to global market instabilities and price fluctuations of imported products.
