The World Bank has predicted that inflation in sub-Saharan Africa will rise by two percentage points, reaching 5.5% in 2026, compared to 3.7% in 2025. This increase is largely linked to higher energy prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East and growing geopolitical tensions around the world. Although many governments in the region have taken steps to manage inflation, rising global commodity prices have affected consumer prices in more than half of the sub-Saharan African countries. Many of these nations rely heavily on imported oil and gas, and as a result, fuel prices at gas stations have increased significantly in recent months. The report highlights that inflation has been most severe in countries that depend heavily on imported basic goods and have limited ability to adjust their currency values. However, the World Bank believes that inflation in the region could decrease in the medium term if global commodity prices stabilize. On Monday, for the first time since the conflict began in February, oil exports from major producing countries—excluding Iran—surpassed the pre-war average of 18 million barrels per day. This suggests that global supply may be returning to more normal levels. The World Bank also warns of potential climate-related challenges, pointing out that the current El Niño phenomenon could disrupt agricultural production and worsen food insecurity. El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs every two to seven years and involves the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific, which can alter global weather patterns, including wind, pressure, and rainfall. Scientists predict this year’s El Niño will be unusually strong, which could amplify the impacts of climate change already affecting the region. Despite these challenges, the World Bank expects a slight increase in economic growth for sub-Saharan Africa, from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026. The bank has raised its growth forecasts for three-quarters of the countries in the region, including major economies like Angola, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. These upward adjustments are attributed to increased economic activity in oil-exporting nations and to reforms aimed at improving the business environment and encouraging private sector growth.