In this article, we will discuss the 15 Most Respected Countries in Africa in 2024. You can skip our detailed discussion and see the 5 Most Respected Countries In Africa In 2024.
Africa: Opportunities For Change
According to the data from the World Bank, Africa has the largest free trade area and a 1.2-billion-person market. Furthermore, it is rich in natural resources including diamonds and gold. Despite these factors, in 2023, almost 462 million people lived in extreme poverty. Development is not uniform across the continent. In 2023, East Africa grew by 1.8% whereas West Africa’s growth rate was 3.3%.
Africa has a major opportunity in the form of human resources. Africa will have almost 740 million more people in the working class by 2050. Nearly 12 million individuals from the youth are expected to join the labor force annually over the coming decade. If new jobs are created at the same pace as the increase in the population, it could greatly improve the economic situation in the region. Africa’s tourism industry presents an opportunity to facilitate job creation and economic growth in the region. According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism sector in Africa is expected to grow 6.5% every year for the entire decade. During this time, the tourism sector has been estimated to add 18 million jobs. The sector is forecasted to contribute $168 billion to the regional economy and with the right policy interventions the numbers can go as high as $350 billion.
Tourism in Africa has proved itself to be a driver of economic growth in the past as well and the numbers are constantly rising. The region welcomed 33.8 million visitors in 2012. The number of visitors exhibited a giant surge when compared to the numbers in 1990, 6.7 million. The receipts from tourism in 2012 added up to $36 billion to the economy of the country. The number of visitors in 2019, increased further to 84 million which added $186 billion to the region’s economy. After experiencing a decline during pandemic, by 2023, the numbers of international visitors in Africa has returned to 96% of pre-pandemic levels. According to the UN Tourism Africa News Issue, some regions of Africa have recovered to the pre pandemic levels and surpassed even surpassed them. In the first quarter of 2023, the number of international arrivals in North Africa were greater than the pre pandemic level by 8%.
The growing tourism sector globally is expected to nurture the regional growth of the sector as well. In 2019, travel and tourism made up 10.3% of the global GDP. The sector was responsible for almost 330 million jobs implying that 1 in 10 people on the planet work in direct or indirect tourism-related jobs. The growth rate of the sector was 3.5% in 2019. The growth rate of the sector was higher than that of the global economy for the ninth consecutive year. 5.8% or almost $1.1 trillion worth of exports are in the travel and tourism sector.
Several governments in Africa are working with international organizations including the United Nations World Tourism Organization to facilitate tourism in the region. The collaboration is helping in technical aspects as well. On 2 May, the Seychelle Draft Tourism Human Resources Development Strategy was presented to the tourism sector in the country. The strategy was developed in a workshop with technical assistance from United Nations Tourism and facilitated by consultant Lisa Gordon-Davis. The strategy proposes actions to cater to the HR challenges in the tourism sector in Seychelles. After necessary revisions based on the inputs provided in the workshop, the final submission will be made to the Parliament for approval. The strategy aims to unite stakeholders under ‘Team Tourism Seychelles’ for effective implementation post-adoption.
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Better Accommodations, Better Tourism
Having a comfortable trip requires comfortable places to stay. According to the Tourism in Africa report by the World Bank, only 10% of the hotel rooms in Africa meet international standards. The quality hotels are also not evenly distributed across the regions. South Africa has about half of the standard hotels. However, with the developing tourism markets in countries including Mauritius and Seychelles, there is a need for better accommodations to facilitate tourists.
Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) is one of the largest hotel companies in the world. The company has 8,700 properties spread across more than 140 countries. It also has more than 300 properties across 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The company has almost 30 hotel brands, including luxury, premium, and select service hotels. The company generates revenue primarily through hotel operations. Marriott Bonvoy, a loyalty program, is an additional revenue stream that generates value through partnerships and rewards redemptions. At the end of June, the program had more than 210 million members.
In the fiscal second quarter of 2024, the company reported that the revenue per available room in the EMEA region grew by 10%. The company is constantly strengthening its presence in the continent by adding new properties. Protea Hotels by Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) is one of Africa’s most prominent hospitality brands. It was founded in July 1984. The hotel has more than sixty locations that are spread across Africa, in both business centers and leisure destinations. The high-quality standards have made it a popular choice among travelers. On July 9, the company announced the opening of its first property in Angola. It also announced the expansion of its portfolio in South Africa, adding a new property in Pretoria. The announcements were made to celebrate the 40th year of Protea Hotels in the hospitality industry in Africa.
JW Marriott is another notable name in the company’s luxury brands portfolio. The hotel offers well-being-centric experiences and programs for the guests. It has almost 120 properties spread across 40 countries. It has a significant presence in the hospitality sector in Africa. On March 27, the JW Marriott Hotel announced the addition of a new property in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the tallest hotel in the country. The large hotel building includes 35 stories and 315 guest rooms and includes 51 spacious serviced apartments along with multiple recreational spaces. It is located close to the Nairobi National Park and Nairobi’s Central Business District. The location makes it an ideal stay for both business and adventure-oriented travelers.
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The presence of safe and hospitable accommodation facilitates tourism in a country. The quality of life and degree of freedom add to the overall respect of the country. With that, let’s take a look at the most respected countries in Africa in 2024.
20 Largest Economies in Africa Ranked by PPP
Our Methodology
To make our list of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024, we have used two metrics the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Human Freedom Index, sourced from UNDP and the Cato Institute respectively. The HDI measures the country’s well-being and quality of life based on factors such as education and life expectancy. A better standard of life corresponds to a country being more respected in the global arena. We sifted through the HDI of the top countries in Africa and tabulated it. We have used HDI as our primary metric. We then extracted the Human Freedom Index for each of these countries which quantifies the degree of personal, economic, and civil freedom in a country. Freedom is directly correlated to the rule of law and the effectiveness of the legal system. Countries with a higher Human Freedom Index are regarded globally. It is the secondary metric for our list. The list has been arranged in the ascending order of the primary metric.
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15 Most Respected Countries In Africa In 2024
15. Comoros
Human Development Index: 0.586
Human Freedom Index: 5.45
Comoros is an archipelago which full of natural beauty. The country has improved life expectancy from 41 years in 1960 to 64 years in 2022. The government is improving the infrastructure of the country as well. In 2022, the GDP of the country amounted to $1.243 billion. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024.
14. Cameroon
Human Development Index: 0.587
Human Freedom Index: 5.3
Cameroon is located in Central Africa. The country has a rich culture and diverse population. More than 250 different ethnic groups reside in the country. The country has a growing economy reliant on different sectors including agriculture and oil. Cocoa and coffee are among the top exports of the country. In 2022, the GDP exhibited a growth rate of 3.6% compared to the previous year.
13. Angola
Human Development Index: 0.591
Human Freedom Index: 5.76
Angola is located in Southern Africa. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. Angola’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, which constitutes a significant portion of its GDP and export revenues. In 2022, the GDP of the country amounted to $106.8 billion. Angola has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its diverse ethnic groups and colonial history.
12. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Human Development Index: 0.593
Human Freedom Index: 5.48
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa based on area. The country is rich in resources including copper and diamonds. In 2022, the GDP of the country was $64.72 billion. The GDP growth rate showed an 8.9% change compared to the previous year.
11. Kenya
Human Development Index: 0.601
Human Freedom Index: 6.57
Kenya is located in East Africa. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. Kenya has a tropical climate and receives sunshine throughout the year. The diverse geographical features of the country grant it natural beauty which attracts people from around the world. The country has a thriving tourism and agriculture industry.
10. Ghana
Human Development Index: 0.602
Human Freedom Index: 7.19
Ghana is located in West Africa. In 2023, the country had a Human Freedom Index of 7.19. The country has a rich history, diverse culture, and significant natural resources. Gold and bauxite are among the top natural resources present in the country. The culture of the country is reflected in major festivals including the Homowo Festival of the Ga people and the Durbar Festival.
9. Eswatini
Human Development Index: 0.61
Human Freedom Index: 5.07
Eswatini is located in Southern Africa. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. Agriculture, services, and the manufacturing industries are the main economic sectors in the country. The country exports sugars and wood products which are a main source of revenue generation in the country. The country has also been working on improving its mining sector and increasing government revenue from natural resources.
8. São Tomé and Príncipe
Human Development Index: 0.613
Human Freedom Index: Not Available
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country located in the Gulf of Guinea. The country operates as a multiparty republic. One of the distinguishing features of the political system in the country is the long history of cooperation among various factions. Cocoa and coffee are among the most produced agricultural products in the country. In 2023, the country had a HDI of 0.613.
7. Equatorial Guinea
Human Development Index: 0.65
Human Freedom Index: 5.21
Equatorial Guinea is located on the west coast of Central Africa. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. It gained independence from Spain in 1968. Equatorial Guinea has significant oil reserves, discovered in the mid-1990s, which have driven its economy. Oil accounts for about 97% of the country’s exports. In 2022, the country’s GDP stood at $12.03 billion.
6. Cabo Verde
Human Development Index: 0.66
Human Freedom Index: 8
Cabo Verde is an Island country in West Africa. The economy of Cabo Verde is primarily service-oriented, with tourism being a significant contributor. The natural beauty of the country attracts thousands of tourists every year. In 2023, the country had a Human Freedom Index of 8.
5. Gabon
Human Development Index: 0.69
Human Freedom Index: 6.5
Gabon is located in Central Africa. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. The country has a diverse geography including coastal plains and mountains. Cristal Mountains and the Chaillu Massif are the most renowned mountain ranges in the country. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, which drives the economy of the country.
4. Botswana
Human Development Index: 0.7
Human Freedom Index: 7.31
Botswana is located in Southern Africa. It has a diverse geography including the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is rich in biodiversity and is a UNESCO World Heritage as well. In 2022, the GDP growth rate of the country was 5.8%. The GDP of the country reached $20.36 billion in 2022.
3. South Africa
Human Development Index: 0.71
Human Freedom Index: 6.92
South Africa has a rich history and is renowned for its varied geography and diverse culture. It is one of the most respected countries in Africa in 2024. It has a mixed economy with various sectors contributing including mining, manufacturing, and services. It is also rich in natural resources including gold and diamonds.
2. Mauritius
Human Development Index: 0.79
Human Freedom Index: 7.61
Mauritius is an island nation renowned for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. It has a fast-growing economy driven by sectors including tourism, textiles, and financial services. In 2022, the GDP of the country was $12.95 billion. The GDP growth rate was recorded to be 8.9% compared to the previous year.
1. Seychelles
Human Development Index: 0.8
Human Freedom Index: 7.85
Seychelles is an archipelagic nation. It is the most respected country in Africa in 2024. The country is rich in natural beauty with the geography ranging from mountainous inner islands to flat coral islands. The country is successfully transitioning from an agriculture-based economy to a mixed economy. Tourism and the services sector are among the most prominent contributors to the economy. In 2022, the GDP of the country amounted to $1.58 billion which exhibited a high 9% GDP growth rate compared to the previous year. In 2022, the per capita income of the country was $13,250.46 which is above the average in the continent. In 2023, it had the highest Human Development Index in Africa. Aldabra Atoll and Vallée de Mai National Park are among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Both these places are recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.