Economic resilience, rising investment flows, and easing inflation signal stronger outlook despite global headwinds….
The President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, says Africa continues to cement its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, with 12 of the 20 fastest-growing economies globally now located on the continent.
Tah made the disclosure on Tuesday while presenting the 2026 African Economic Outlook at the AfDB Annual Meetings currently taking place in Brazzaville.
According to him, African economies have maintained resilience despite ongoing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and declining development assistance.
He said the continent’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has stabilised at 4.3 per cent in 2026 and is projected to rise further to 4.5 per cent in 2027, reflecting steady but cautious momentum.
“The performance highlights the continent’s growing economic dynamism in a challenging global environment,” Tah said.
He also noted improvements in income levels across the continent, revealing that Africa’s GDP per capita growth rose from 0.9 per cent in 2023 to 1.9 per cent in 2025.
The AfDB president highlighted a strong rebound in foreign direct investment, which surged by 75 per cent in 2024 to about $97 billion, signalling renewed investor confidence in African markets.
He further disclosed that remittance inflows increased by 14 per cent in the same year, reaching $186 billion, making them one of the continent’s most important external sources of financing.
Tah also pointed to easing inflationary pressures, noting that inflation across Africa dropped from 21.8 per cent in 2024 to 13.6 per cent in 2025, although he warned that fresh risks remain due to rising energy and import costs.
Despite the encouraging indicators, he cautioned that structural weaknesses and financing gaps continue to limit Africa’s full economic potential.
He urged African governments to focus on investment-driven growth strategies, stronger infrastructure development, and improved human capital to sustain long-term progress.
Tah also called for deeper financial reforms across the continent to reduce dependence on external aid and strengthen economic sovereignty.
He stressed the importance of leveraging Africa’s young population and growing investment inflows as key drivers for future expansion and stability.
