Sub-Saharan Africa · Economic outlook
Sub Saharan Africa Economic Outlook 2026
Sub-Saharan Africa enters 2026 at a pivotal economic moment, shaped by growth recovery, inflation pressure, currency volatility, fiscal adjustment, and shifting global capital flows. This LEAF report examines the macroeconomic outlook for the region, highlighting the policy choices, investment themes, demographic forces, and sector opportunities likely to define the year ahead. Built for investors, operators, policymakers, and researchers, it translates regional complexity into practical insight on resilience, risk, and long-term opportunity across Sub-Saharan African markets.
- Published
- Apr 2026
- Format
- PDF · 25 pages
- Coverage
- Sub-Saharan Africa
What it found
- 4.1%Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise from 3.7% growth in 2024 to 4.1% in 2025, and to hold at 4.1% through 2026.
- 3.1%Global growth eases from 3.3% to 3.2% and is forecast to soften further to 3.1%, so the region grows against a slowing world.
Look inside
From this research
- Intra-African Trade
$209.3B
Intra-African trade is projected at <strong>$209.3 billion</strong> in 2026, showing stronger regional demand and a more important role for continental markets.
- Global Export Share
2.5%
Africa's share of global merchandise exports is forecast at just <strong>2.5%</strong> in 2026, showing how limited the continent's global trade weight still is.
- Kenya Growth
4.9%
Kenya is forecast to grow by <strong>4.9%</strong> in 2026, making it the strongest and steadiest performer among the report's focus economies.