In its Global Gender Gap Report 2026, the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that sub-Saharan Africa has closed 68.8% of the gender gap. At the current rate, the region would achieve full parity in 102 years, faster than the global average of 120 years. Namibia ranks fourth globally, and Kenya shows the strongest progress in the region. The WEF published the twentieth edition of its annual report on September 16, examining 145 economies across four areas: economic participation, education, health, and political power. While the global assessment shows some progress, the WEF describes it as "fragile," especially in political leadership, where women's representation has declined since 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa stands out for its relatively rapid progress, gaining 1.6 points in one year and moving its parity horizon to 102 years, the third shortest in the report. Education has been the main driver of progress in sub-Saharan Africa this year. The education sub-index rose 5.8 points to 89.5%, though it remains the weakest dimension for the region, which is last globally in this area. However, long-term improvements in women's access to higher education have been significant, with a gain of 28.1 points since 2006. Kenya made the most dramatic leap, climbing 33 places to rank 65th, with its overall score improving from 0.689 to 0.721, largely due to education gains. Ghana also improved, rising 32 spots to 56th (73.2%). Angola, now ranked 87th (70.5%), gained 30 points. Even lower-ranked countries like Niger and Nigeria saw improvements, with scores rising by 4.2 and 2.7 points, respectively. Namibia, with 84.5% of the gender gap closed, ranks fourth globally, surpassing the United Kingdom and Germany and becoming the only African country in the top 10. The WEF highlights the 2025 election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first woman to lead the country. Burundi leads low-income countries at 26th (77.1%), followed closely by Rwanda (28th), South Africa (30th), and Liberia (43rd). However, the report notes significant disparities between countries in the region. Chad, at the bottom of the global ranking (145th, 57.8%), is joined by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (142nd, 59.5%) and Mali (140th, 61.9%). Several West African nations, including Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, remain below the regional average. While sub-Saharan Africa has made strides in economic participation, political power remains a weak area. The region has closed 70.6% of the economic gender gap, placing it fourth globally for this dimension. Women's representation in senior management and high-level positions has risen significantly, as has their labor market participation and income equality. However, political power remains a challenge, with only 18.1% of the gap closed. Women's presence in Parliament has increased by just 11.6 points in 20 years, and only 5.1% of heads of state are women. North Africa and the Middle East, grouped as a single region, remain last in the report, having closed only 62.5% of the gender gap and showing minimal progress. Their economic participation is particularly weak, with only 44.8% of the gap closed, and the region scores the lowest globally in political power, with just 11.5% of the gap addressed.