Do you know the top 10 poorest countries in Africa, according to Human Development Index (HDI)? Africa is home to some of the world’s most poor immigrants. Generally, this is due to hunger, conflict, or the fact that they are under authoritarian regimes where corruption is rampant, all of which discourage international investment.
The top 10 poorest countries in Africa are shown below.
Top 10 Poorest Countries In Africa
1. Burundi
Burundi is the poorest country in Africa. Everyone knows about the genocide in Rwanda, which resulted in the deaths of 800,000 people, mostly of Tutsi origin, in only three months. A year before, Burundi had gone through a similar civil war, although few people are aware of this.
The nation, however, remains in a state of extreme instability, 13 years after the coup. President Pierre Nkurunziza was a former Hutu rebel who was elected in a highly disputed election that resulted in the European Union cutting assistance.
Having lost its largest contributor, the nation has fallen into a state of recession and food scarcity. A significant increase has occurred in the price of goods. Even the output of coffee, which is the country’s primary export commodity, has decreased.
They are mostly low-income individuals. Agriculture is responsible for 90 per cent of the economy. Price changes, international trade restrictions, and food shortages all contribute to Burundi’s third-place finish on the African rankings list.
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2. Central African Republic (CAR)
The Central African Republic has a democratically elected president for the first time since its independence in 1960. The nation has made a significant stride forward. Except for the fact that diamonds, the country’s primary resource, are still prohibited from export.
The central African Republic remains the world’s poorest. It is estimated that 75% of the population lives in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank. In recent years, attempts have been undertaken to defuse internal disputes that have been raging for years.
The World Bank has committed $ 250 million for the reconstruction of the nation.
3. DR Congo
DR Congo is a country in Central Africa. A nation with enormous resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Instability, on the other hand, reigns supreme as usual. Even though President Kabila has served two consecutive terms in office, he has continually postponed the elections.
Armed conflicts are often restarted in the region.18,000 peacekeepers are still stationed in the country to assist. The country’s economy has also benefited from the decline in the price of copper and other metals. The currency has lost much of its value against the dollar, causing high inflation.
Over 80 million people live in severe poverty, accounting for over 64 per cent of the total population of 80 million. Additionally, corruption is rampant in the DRC, with 40 per cent of the country’s budget going to institutions and officials.
The future is not rosy. While elections must been held since 2016, former warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba has just presented his candidacy. He spent 10 years behind bars, convicted by the International Criminal Coup for crimes against humanity. He was recently welcomed as a hero in Kinshasa.
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4. Niger
Niger is the fourth poorest country in Africa. Brutal violence, political instability, terrorism, and the growth of corruption are all issues that have resulted in Niger being ranked as one of the poorest nations in Africa, although it is the biggest country in West Africa.
Another factor working against Niger is the fact that the Sahara desert covers more than 80 per cent of the country’s total landmass. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to come to the country’s assistance as part of a massive scheme of loans to nations in financial difficulties to help it get out of its bind.
As an example, in 2015, the United Nations’ Human Development Index program placed the nation at 187th place out of 188 countries surveyed;
5. Malawi
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa. Malawi, an East African nation with a GDP of 35%, is a country in severe poverty. Because of corruption and the hijacking of the last audiences, the nation has been trapped in poverty for a long period.
Malawi was heavily indebted at the time of the sale, which did not occur until 2016. Malawi was selected as a recipient of MCC support by the United States government a year ago.
6. Mozambique
A lot of people are optimistic about the year 2011. huge amounts of gas are discovered off the coast of the country. The country’s debt, on the other hand, is ballooning out of control. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to discontinue its assistance programs.
The tax system is under tremendous strain as a result of the fact that you must clear your debts before you can get revenue from the many big projects underway across the nation. Aside from that, the general public has not yet reaped the benefits of the newly re-established economic growth cycle.
Approximately 80% of the population is below the poverty level. Once again, the quantity of money collected is heavily influenced by the weather conditions on the ground. Climate change is already affecting the country’s economy.
The population boom, on the other hand, is already well underway in many areas.
7. Sierra leone
Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa that has a population of around 3.5 million people. This English-speaking nation is among the world’s three most naturally wealthy countries in terms of natural resources and sources of revenue because of its abundance of bauxite, diamonds, gold, and titanium.
The Sierra Leonean people are nonetheless impoverished, despite the country’s many benefits. It is difficult to find work for young people nowadays. The agricultural industry in this West African nation, which is the country’s economic lifeblood, employs more than 80 per cent of its workforce.
8. Liberia
President-elect George Weah of Liberia is no other than the former global footballing star who served as the country’s first president in 1989. To restore peace to his nation, he must first calm the waters. Before the country’s unification in 2003, civil war devastated the population.
The situation has been resolved, and the security forces are now under the authority of the government, Even yet, the nation continues to face challenges, including Ebola outbreaks and an increase in the cost of essential goods and commodities.
The country of Liberia is now supported by its rubber, iron ore, and palm oil exports to the rest of the world. To grow, the nation will need foreign assistance. Agriculture in disarray, severe climatic pressure, and a reliance on international markets are all factors contributing to the country’s economic plight today.
The poverty line is reached by 85 per cent of Liberians.
9. Madagascar
Today, three-quarters of Madagascar’s population lives on less than $1.25 per day, according to the United Nations Development Programme. As a result of the nation’s heavy reliance on agriculture, and due to the country’s climatic conditions, it is considered a fragile country.
The recent coup also resulted in the suspension of international development assistance, a factor contributing to the country’s impoverishment.
10. South Sudan
In 2011, after a self-determination vote, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan. However, the most difficult phase of its independence is still ahead of it. Put a stop to the civil conflict and ensure that the country’s population is adequately fed.
According to UN estimates, more than 7 million people, or almost 60 per cent of the population are hungry.