Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

65.3

Political Risk Index

57

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

64

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

60.7

Operational Risk Index

76.6

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Eritrea is in East Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Low income. (World Bank)
• Population: 3.6 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$2bn in 2019. (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 3.8% in 2019. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 1.3% in 2019. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 260.4% of GDP in 2019. (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: 13% of GDP in 2019. (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: 2.7% of GDP in 2019. (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 15.08 local currency units per US dollar in 2025, against 15.08 in 2023: 0% more units per dollar (the currency weakened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 65.3 (rank 48 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 57 (rank 42 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 64 (rank 47 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 60.7 (rank 39 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 76.6 (rank 50 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: trade and investment risk (80.6, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 16; government effectiveness 21; political stability and absence of violence 55; rule of law 29; regulatory quality 19. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 51.5% of GNI (2011). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 6% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 0.3% of GDP (2011). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 53.2% of GDP (2014). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 47.4% of GDP (2011). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 26 published records tagged to Eritrea. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 55.3% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 80.7% (2021). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 24.6% of GDP (2011); ores and metals exports 1.8% of merchandise exports (2003). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 0.3% of GDP (2011); domestic credit to the private sector 53.2% of GDP (2014). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 14.3% of population (2020); mobile subscriptions 59.1 per 100 people (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 14.1% of GDP (2009); employment in agriculture 55.5% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 5.5% of GDP (2009); industry (including construction), value added 21.8% of GDP (2009). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 34.5% of population (2025); access to electricity 55.3% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Real GDP growth (Latest published value is for 2019); Inflation, average consumer prices (Latest published value is for 2019); GDP, current prices (Latest published value is for 2019); GDP per capita, current prices (Latest published value is for 2019); General government gross debt (Latest published value is for 2019); Government net lending (+) / borrowing (-) (Latest published value is for 2019); Current account balance (Latest published value is for 2019); Foreign direct investment, net inflows (Latest published value is for 2011); and 14 more.
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• Africa Finance Corporation US$2bn syndicated term loan (26 lenders): Nigerian counsel to the lenders
• Barclays, Commerzbank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, FirstRand and partners invest USD 2 billion in Africa Finance Corporation
• Zaad Group acquire remaining 60% stake in EASEED Group
• India Exim Bank’s Investment in the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) Operations in Africa for USD 100 million
• Bank of Tanzania’s Investment in Africa Finance Corporation’s Operations in Africa
• Rawbank’s equity investment in Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) operations in Southern, Western, Southern, Eastern and Central Africa