ClickAfrique has compiled a list of the fastest growing economics in Africa based on the GDP (Growth Domestic Product) growth rate for the year 2005. The GDP is the total value of goods and services produced by a nation in a given year. This gives an indication of the economic activity within the nation. The rate change gives an indication how much the economic activity increased or decreased from the previous year. In this article we have profiled the ten fastest growing economies on the continent.

10. Sierra Leone – GDP Rate Change: 6.3 percent
After nine years of civil war from 1991 to 2002, the country is slowly finding its feet. Despite finding its way into the top ten performers in Africa, the country is still one of the poorest on the continent. It has significant mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources but its economic and social structures are too poorly developed to make the most of them. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings and accounts for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. Continued political stability since end the war has helped to push economic growth.

9. Democratic Republic of Congo – GDP Rate Change: 6.5 percent
Ethnic strife, political and social instability has gripped this country since its independence in 1960. The country found some sort of stability after the son of its former leader; Joseph Kabila was chosen to head a transitional government, with four vice presidents in 2002. General elections have been held for the top seat, with a run off election scheduled for late 2006. It is expected that business and economic fortunes, if the elections is successfully held, especially having experienced some economic stability in the last couple of years.

=8. Sudan – GDP Rate Change: 7 percent
Despite the current situation in the western region of Darfur, Sudan ahs turned around its struggling economy. However if the situation fails to improve, it is yet to be seen what effects the conflict might have on the economy. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zone have helped to push economic growth in other parts of the country.

=8. Mozambique – GDP Rate Change: 7 percent
Also tying for the 8th place is Mozambique. In1975, when Mozambique got its independence, it was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 worsen its circumstances. However in 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy and this, cooupled with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate.

=6. Republic of Congo – GDP Rate Change: 8 percent
Once one of Africa’s largest exports but declining oil fields have brought about a change in fortune. However continuing economic reforms and the increase in oil prices have been a boost for an economic which for most part of the 1990s experienced a 5 percent growth rate, one of the best in Africa.

=6. Liberia – GDP Rate Change: 8 percent
After two years of rule by a transitional government, President Ellen Jonhson-Sirleaf was elected to power in late 2005, ending years of political uncertainty in the country. However despite its impressive growth rate, the country is still one of the poorest in the World. The civil war followed by 14 years of intermittent fighting have destroyed of the infrastructure in the country, this coupled with the fact that donor nations on holding back on funds needed to rebuild the country until a pact demanding better fiscal control and financial transparency in Liberia is signed by the parliament limit Liberia’s economic growth.

4. Libya – GDP Rate Change: 8.5 percent
The 2004 lifting of sanctions imposed on Libya following the Lockerbie bombings have boosted its economy but it still faces a long arduous route to build a non-socialist-oriented economy.

3. Ethiopia – GDP Rate Change: 8.9 percent
Ethiopia has managed to shake off the effects of a drought that occurred in 2002, which battered its mainly agrarian economy and resulted in a decrease in the GDP. The return of rains has also brought about a return in economic growth.

2. Equatorial Guinea – GDP Rate Change: 18.6 percent
Africa’s second fastest growing economy and the third fastest in the world; Equatorial fortunes have changed since the recent discovery of discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves. While the unequal distribution of wealth remains a problem in the country, it is expected that its impressive growth rate would continue for some time to come.

1. Angola – GDP Rate Change: 19.1 percent
The second fastest growing economy in the World and the fastest on the continent, Angola is beginning to show the potential its huge natural resources suggest it can. The end of the 27 year civil war in 2002 has brought about a period of economic growth boosted by record oil prices and rising petroleum production. However it would still need to fight corruption and continue the present government reforms if the effects of the upturn in the economy are to be passed on to its people.