Africa ETP News
you are currently viewing::IMF-Regional Economic Outlook Update Sub-Saharan Africa-Hard-Won Gains Under PressureApril 16, 2026-After a strong 2025 with regional growth estimated at 4.5 percent, sub-Saharan Africa entered 2026 reaping the benefits of hard-won stabilization gains. But the war in the Middle East has clouded the outlook. The shock has caused a rapid increase in key commodity prices, particularly in fuel and fertilizer. Poverty, food insecurity, and other social indicators, already weakened by the pandemic, face renewed headwinds from declining foreign aid and rising food prices. Regional growth is expected to decline to 4.3 percent in 2026 with significant heterogeneity across countries. Downside risks are significant amid high global uncertainty and regional macroeconomic vulnerabilities. Policy must focus on addressing the shock in the near term and building resilience over the medium term. Source: imf.org |
West Africa growth projected at 4.6% in 2026, remains resilient-AfDB Regional Economic Outlook Report
August 10, 2026---Câte d'Ivoire remains largest economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), expected to grow by 6.5% in 2025
West Africa demonstrated economic resilience in 2025, recording growth of 4.8%, above the continental average of 4.4%, amid geopolitical tensions, insecurity in parts of the region, increasing fragmentation of the global economy and heightened volatility in international financial markets.
Africa: 'Nigeria's Fintech Ecosystem Has Become One of Africa's Largest'
August 10, 2026---Chairman of the House Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters, Ahamadu Usman Jaha, has said Nigeria's fintech ecosystem has become one of the largest in Africa, noting that the country's growing payment ecosystem continues to attract significant investment.
Africa: Zimbabwe Overtakes Nigeria As Africa's Best-Performing Stock Market
August 6, 2026--Zimbabwe ended last month as Africa's best-performing equity market, overtaking Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, after months of sustained gains driven by easing inflation, a more stable domestic currency, and renewed investor appetite for local equities.
Nairobi Securities Exchange Plans East Africa's First AI ETF- But Its CEO Is Watching for a Bubble
August 5, 2026--The Nairobi Securities Exchange is building East Africa's first exchange traded fund focused on AI stocks, with plans to offer it to investors before year-end- though its chief executive says the launch could be delayed if the global AI rally starts to look overdone.
Regional Economic Outlook 2026: Southern Africa Must Mobilise Development Finance at Scale to Close Annual $55 Billion Financing Gap
July 29, 2026--Southern Africa must urgently mobilise development financing at scale to turn a gradual and uneven economic recovery into real gains in living standards, according to the African Development Bank's 2026 Regional Economic Outlook for Southern Africa: Mobilising Southern Africa's Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World, released on Tuesday.
Africa's Private Capital Market Sees Mixed First-Half in 2026
July 29, 2026--Africa's private capital market posted a mixed first half in 2026. Deal volume fell 16% year on year to 211 transactions, the first H1 drop since 2023. Investment value rose 65% to $3.7 billion, the second highest first-half total in five years. The gap between average deal size, $32 million, and median deal size, $5 million, points to a market driven by a few large transactions rather than broad growth.
Africa's Blue Economy Generates Over $298 Billion Annually
July 22, 2026--The African Union (AU)'s Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Hersen Nyambe, stated on Wednesday (22,) in Luanda, that the continent's blue economy currently generates over 298 billion dollars in annual value, with projections pointing to USD 405 billion output by 2063.
Africa Can Grow Faster With AI-If It Moves Now
July 21, 2026--Artificial intelligence can boost productivity, create better jobs, and improve public services in sub-Saharan Africa, but realizing these gains will require reliable power, affordable internet, stronger skills, and rules people trust
A farmer in Kenya gets weather and planting advice on a basic phone. A teacher in Nigeria uses a chatbot to help students catch up in math. South Africa's revenue authority uses data analytics to better target tax audits. These are not futuristic examples from Silicon Valley.
Chaka Launches Hisa, Rebrands Investment Platform
June 23, 2026--Chaka Technologies Ltd has launched Hisa, a new investment application that replaces the company's existing Chaka trading platform and introduces a range of new features aimed at making investing more accessible for retail users.
Stablecoins in Nigeria: A Growing Cross-Border Channel
June 16, 2026- U.S. dollar-pegged digital tokens reduce payment frictions but raise new policy trade-offs
Nigerian households and small firms are moving money across borders in a new way: via smartphones, digital wallets, and U.S. dollar-pegged crypto assets known as stablecoins.
