EAC economies are becoming more important in Africa’s economic future as the East African Community expands into a larger regional bloc of eight partner states.
Based on the corrected 2026 nominal GDP estimates, Kenya remains the largest economy in the EAC with a GDP of $147.26 billion. The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks second with $123.41 billion, followed by Tanzania with $94.89 billion and Uganda with $73.37 billion.
The updated figures change the earlier order. Tanzania does not rank second in the EAC under this 2026 table. DR Congo has moved ahead of Tanzania because of its larger nominal GDP, supported by mining, exports and the scale of its natural resources.
The eight EAC partner states are Kenya, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan. Together, they have a combined nominal GDP of about $484.65 billion in 2026.
This makes the EAC one of Africa’s most important regional economic blocs. It combines Kenya’s financial and technology strength, DR Congo’s mineral wealth, Tanzania’s infrastructure and tourism base, Uganda’s fast growth, Rwanda’s reform-driven economy, Somalia’s strategic coastline, Burundi’s agricultural base and South Sudan’s oil potential.
The ranking also shows how uneven the bloc remains. Kenya’s economy is more than 24 times larger than South Sudan’s. The top four economies account for nearly 91% of the EAC’s total nominal GDP.
EAC GDP Ranking Table 2026
| Rank | Country | GDP | GDP Growth | GDP per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | $147.26 billion | 4.47% | $2,714 |
| 2 | DR Congo | $123.41 billion | 5.90% | $1,122 |
| 3 | Tanzania | $94.89 billion | 5.94% | $1,362 |
| 4 | Uganda | $73.37 billion | 7.51% | $1,476 |
| 5 | Rwanda | $17.34 billion | 7.23% | $1,198 |
| 6 | Somalia | $14.17 billion | 2.60% | $813 |
| 7 | Burundi | $8.14 billion | 3.82% | $546 |
| 8 | South Sudan | $6.07 billion | 4.14% | $488 |
1. Kenya: $147.26 Billion
Kenya is the largest economy in the EAC in 2026, with nominal GDP estimated at $147.26 billion.
The country also ranks seventh in Africa by nominal GDP. Its economy is supported by finance, technology, agriculture, logistics, construction, manufacturing, trade, tourism and services.
Nairobi remains the region’s strongest business hub. It hosts banks, insurers, technology firms, media companies, diplomatic offices, regional headquarters and fast-growing startups. Kenya’s digital economy, especially mobile money and fintech, continues to give the country a competitive advantage.
The port of Mombasa also strengthens Kenya’s regional role. It serves Kenya and landlocked neighbours such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and parts of eastern DR Congo.
Kenya’s 2026 GDP growth is estimated at 4.47%, while GDP per capita stands at $2,714. The country’s challenge is to turn its regional leadership into stronger job creation, exports, manufacturing growth and lower debt pressure.
2. DR Congo: $123.41 Billion
DR Congo is now the second-largest economy in the EAC, with nominal GDP of $123.41 billion in 2026.
This is one of the most important corrections in the ranking. DR Congo is larger than Tanzania by nominal GDP in the 2026 table. It also ranks eighth in Africa overall.
DR Congo’s economic weight comes from its vast natural resources. The country has major reserves of copper, cobalt, gold, tin, coltan and other minerals. Cobalt and copper are especially important because they are used in electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy systems and global technology supply chains.
The country’s GDP growth is estimated at 5.90%, showing strong expansion compared with many larger African economies. However, GDP per capita remains low at $1,122, which shows the gap between national resource wealth and household-level prosperity.
DR Congo’s biggest challenge is converting mineral wealth into broad-based development. Insecurity, weak infrastructure, governance concerns and limited local processing continue to hold back its full potential.
3. Tanzania: $94.89 Billion
Tanzania ranks third among EAC economies in 2026, with nominal GDP of $94.89 billion.
The country remains one of East Africa’s most important growth markets. Its economy is supported by agriculture, mining, tourism, construction, trade, infrastructure and natural gas potential.
Tanzania’s growth rate is estimated at 5.94%, slightly higher than DR Congo’s 5.90%. This makes Tanzania one of the stronger growth performers in the bloc. GDP per capita stands at $1,362.
Dar es Salaam remains a key commercial centre and port city. The port of Dar es Salaam serves Tanzania and several neighbouring countries. Tourism also remains a major strength, with attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar.
Tanzania’s long-term opportunity is industrialisation. If the country expands manufacturing, agro-processing, mineral value addition and logistics, it can narrow the gap with Kenya and DR Congo over time.
4. Uganda: $73.37 Billion
Uganda ranks fourth in the EAC, with nominal GDP of $73.37 billion in 2026.
Uganda is one of the bloc’s fastest-growing major economies, with GDP growth estimated at 7.51%. This is the highest growth rate among the eight EAC countries in the corrected table. GDP per capita stands at $1,476.
The country’s economy is supported by agriculture, services, trade, construction, manufacturing and energy potential. Coffee remains one of Uganda’s most important exports, while food production supports regional trade.
Uganda’s oil sector could become a major growth driver if production and export infrastructure are developed successfully. The country’s location also gives it strong trade links with Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and eastern DR Congo.
Uganda’s challenge is to turn fast growth into formal jobs, industrial expansion and stronger exports.
5. Rwanda: $17.34 Billion
Rwanda ranks fifth in the EAC, with nominal GDP of $17.34 billion in 2026.
Although Rwanda’s economy is much smaller than Kenya, DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda, it has one of the strongest growth rates in the bloc. Rwanda’s GDP growth is estimated at 7.23%, while GDP per capita stands at $1,198.
Rwanda’s economy is supported by services, tourism, agriculture, construction, logistics, finance, technology and conference travel. Kigali has become a regional centre for meetings, aviation, hospitality and governance-focused development.
The country’s main limitation is scale. Rwanda has a smaller population and land area than the leading EAC economies. Even so, it remains influential because of its reform image, administrative efficiency and regional investment ambitions.
Rwanda’s future growth depends on expanding exports, attracting higher-value investment and deepening its role as a services and logistics hub.
6. Somalia: $14.17 Billion
Somalia ranks sixth in the EAC, with nominal GDP of $14.17 billion in 2026.
Somalia’s GDP growth is estimated at 2.60%, while GDP per capita stands at $813. The economy remains smaller than Rwanda’s, but its long-term strategic potential is significant.
Somalia has one of Africa’s longest coastlines. Its economy is supported by livestock, remittances, telecommunications, mobile money, trade, fisheries and port activity. Its location near the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean trade routes gives it long-term regional importance.
Somalia’s EAC membership expands the bloc’s connection to the Horn of Africa and maritime trade. However, the country still faces major challenges linked to security, institutions, infrastructure and public revenue collection.
If stability improves, Somalia could become a more important trade and logistics player in the EAC.
7. Burundi: $8.14 Billion
Burundi ranks seventh among EAC economies, with nominal GDP of $8.14 billion in 2026.
Its GDP growth is estimated at 3.82%, while GDP per capita stands at $546. That is one of the lowest GDP per capita figures in Africa, showing the scale of Burundi’s development challenge.
Agriculture dominates the economy and supports most livelihoods. Coffee and tea are among the country’s key exports. Burundi also has potential in mining, energy, regional trade and agro-processing.
The country’s small economic size means regional integration is especially important. Better access to EAC markets, infrastructure corridors, energy connections and investment flows could help Burundi gradually expand its economy.
Burundi’s future growth depends on agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, export diversification and stronger private-sector activity.
8. South Sudan: $6.07 Billion
South Sudan is the smallest economy in the EAC in 2026, with nominal GDP of $6.07 billion.
Its GDP growth is estimated at 4.14%, while GDP per capita stands at $488. This is the lowest GDP per capita figure in the corrected EAC table.
South Sudan’s economy is heavily dependent on oil. Oil exports provide most public revenue and foreign exchange earnings. This makes the country highly exposed to oil production disruptions, pipeline risks and global price movements.
The country also has large agricultural potential, livestock resources and water systems. However, conflict, weak infrastructure, humanitarian pressures and limited institutional capacity continue to restrict development.
South Sudan’s EAC membership gives it access to a broader regional platform, but economic transformation will depend on peace, infrastructure, investment and diversification beyond oil.
Combined EAC GDP in 2026
Using the corrected 2026 figures, the EAC’s combined nominal GDP is about $484.65 billion.
The top four economies dominate the bloc. Kenya, DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda together account for about $438.93 billion. That is roughly 90.6% of the EAC’s total nominal GDP.
The remaining four economies, Rwanda, Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan, account for about $45.72 billion. Their economies are smaller, but they add strategic value through geography, trade routes, agriculture, tourism, coastline access, reform models and natural resources.
The combined figure shows that the EAC is no longer a small regional bloc. It is a large African economic area with a population, resource base and market size that can support deeper integration.
Fastest-Growing EAC Economies in 2026
Uganda is the fastest-growing EAC economy in the corrected 2026 table, with growth of 7.51%.
Rwanda follows with 7.23%. Tanzania grows by 5.94%, while DR Congo grows by 5.90%. Kenya grows by 4.47%, South Sudan by 4.14%, Burundi by 3.82% and Somalia by 2.60%.
This growth ranking is important because GDP size and growth speed are different. Kenya is the largest economy, but Uganda and Rwanda are growing faster. DR Congo and Tanzania also show strong growth above 5%.
Fast growth can change future rankings if sustained over many years. Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo have the strongest potential to narrow gaps if investment, exports and infrastructure improve.
GDP per Capita Comparison
GDP per capita shows a different picture from total GDP.
Kenya has the highest GDP per capita among EAC countries in the corrected table, at $2,714. Uganda follows at $1,476, Tanzania at $1,362, Rwanda at $1,198 and DR Congo at $1,122.
Somalia stands at $813, Burundi at $546 and South Sudan at $488.
This shows that DR Congo’s large economy does not translate into high income per person. The country ranks second by total GDP but only fifth by GDP per capita among EAC members.
Kenya leads both total GDP and GDP per capita within the bloc, which strengthens its position as the EAC’s most advanced economy by this measure.
What the Corrected Ranking Means
The corrected ranking changes the EAC economic picture.
The earlier assumption that Tanzania was second is not correct under the 2026 figures. DR Congo ranks second with $123.41 billion, ahead of Tanzania’s $94.89 billion.
Kenya remains first by a clear margin. Uganda remains fourth, but it has the fastest growth rate. Rwanda remains the largest of the smaller EAC economies. Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan complete the ranking.
The data shows that the EAC’s economic future will depend on four major engines: Kenya’s services and finance, DR Congo’s minerals, Tanzania’s infrastructure and tourism, and Uganda’s fast-growing market.
Conclusion
EAC economies ranked by 2026 nominal GDP show Kenya leading the bloc with $147.26 billion. DR Congo ranks second with $123.41 billion, Tanzania third with $94.89 billion and Uganda fourth with $73.37 billion.
Rwanda, Somalia, Burundi and South Sudan complete the eight-member ranking. Together, the EAC economies have a combined nominal GDP of about $484.65 billion.
The corrected figures show that DR Congo is now a major economic force inside the EAC. They also show that Uganda and Rwanda are among the fastest-growing economies in the bloc, while Kenya remains the largest and richest by GDP per capita.
The EAC’s challenge is to turn this combined economic size into real integration. Better roads, railways, ports, customs systems, energy links, digital payments and trade rules can help the bloc become one of Africa’s strongest economic engines.
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