The World Bank announced on Tuesday, October 6, that sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow by 4.3 percent in 2026, an upward revision of 0.3 percentage points from its earlier estimate in April 2026. This growth would surpass the 4.1 percent recorded in 2025. Nearly three-quarters of the region’s countries have had their growth forecasts revised upward, including major economies such as Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zambia. These countries benefit from a mix of favorable economic conditions and structural reforms. Rising commodity prices, especially in oil-exporting nations like Nigeria, Angola, and the Republic of Congo, have boosted economic activity, while others see growth from agricultural recovery or stronger domestic demand. In 2026, 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to see faster growth than in 2025, with an average increase of 0.8 percentage points. Some countries, like Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, and Zambia, are projected to see growth jumps of over 4 percentage points. About half of the region’s countries have already surpassed their average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2019. For the full year, 23 of the 47 countries in the region are expected to grow above their pre-pandemic long-term average, with an average margin of 1.4 percentage points. The World Bank attributes the improved economic performance to better economic management and long-term structural reforms that are now showing results. In the past two years, central banks in the region have successfully controlled inflation, and efforts to balance budgets have helped several countries, including Ethiopia, Benin, and Rwanda. Domestic demand has remained strong, supported by robust consumption and private investment. Additionally, stable global production and international trade have contributed to the region’s economic performance. Despite these gains, the World Bank warns that downside risks still loom over the region’s growth outlook. If the Middle East conflict intensifies or its economic effects last longer than expected, it could slow growth. A strong El Niño weather pattern, which could bring droughts, heatwaves, and floods, might also harm agricultural production across large parts of the region. The Bank also notes that while growth is expected to rise, it may not significantly reduce extreme poverty or create enough jobs for the region’s growing population. The poverty rate is projected to fall slightly, from 47.8 percent in 2026 to 47.1 percent in 2027, but the total number of people in poverty is expected to rise due to rapid population growth. In the Economic and Monetary Community of Africa (UEMOA), intra-region trade grew by 11.8 percent in the second quarter of 2026. However, the region still relies heavily on trade with countries outside Africa. In Egypt, Chevron has expanded its offshore oil exploration with the Lotus block, but the country’s gas production has dropped by more than a third between the first quarter of 2023 and 2026. In Nigeria, the arrival of the State Telecommunications Network (STN) has reignited efforts to provide universal access to telecommunications. Meanwhile, four exceptional projects were awarded during the Demo Day Challenge+ Africa 2026 in Abidjan, and Benin has returned 35 newly claimed works to their rightful owners, with a museum challenge currently underway.