New African bank report highlights strengthening economic growth

Despite the positive trajectory, the report highlights that Africa’s growth remains below the 7% threshold required for substantial poverty reduction. The continent also continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, structural weaknesses, climate-related disasters, and prolonged conflicts in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.  

It estimated Africa’s average real GDP growth to be 3.2% in 2024, slightly higher than the 3.0% recorded in 2023. 

The report notes that while inflationary pressures persist, Africa’s average inflation rate is expected to decline from 18.6% in 2024 to 12.6% in 2025-2026 due to tighter monetary policies.  

Public debt levels have stabilised 

Fiscal deficits have widened slightly from 4.4% of GDP in 2023 to 4.6% in 2024, but are projected to narrow to 4.1% by 2025-2026. Public debt levels have stabilised but remain above pre-pandemic levels, with nine countries in debt distress and 11 at high risk of distress. 

The Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook report, published by the bank bi-annually in the first and fourth quarters of the year, responds to a critical need for timely economic data amid global uncertainty. It serves policymakers, development partners, global investors, researchers and other stakeholders. 

The 2025 report identifies 24 African nations – including Djibouti, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Sudan – as poised to exceed 5% GDP growth in 2025. Additionally, Africa remains the world’s second-fastest-growing region after Asia, with 12 of the 20 fastest-growing economies projected to be on the continent. 

Ethiopia’s Finance Minister, Ato Ahmed Shide, praised the report’s depth of analysis. “It underscores the fragility of Africa’s economic growth, which is projected to hover around 4% in the near term,” he said, emphasising the need for proactive policy measures to sustain growth and stability.  

He said Ethiopia has taken bold steps to restore macro-economic stability, build resilience and accelerate growth, with the government prioritising economic liberalisation, private sector empowerment and fiscal discipline. 

Strengthening Africa’s resilience 

In her remarks at the report’s launch, Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank, highlighted the continent’s potential for driving global economic expansion but said achieving this requires decisive and well-coordinated policies. 

“As Africa navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape, policymakers must adopt a forward-looking approach to reinforce resilience and drive sustainable growth. Africa’s economic resilience and growth prospects remain strong, but challenges persist,” said Nwabufo, who represented the Bank Group’s President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.