Economists are forecasting slow economic growth for Sub-Saharan Africa due to persistent geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions, with a significant increase in predictions for weak growth. This outlook, published by the World Economic Forum, indicates a slight deterioration compared to previous assessments.

• The share of economists expecting weak growth rose from 29 per cent to 40 per cent.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects regional growth at 4.4 per cent in 2026.
• Public debt is a major concern, with Kenya's debt nearing Sh13 trillion against a nominal GDP of Sh16.2 trillion.
• 81 per cent of respondents expect monetary policy in Sub-Saharan Africa to remain unchanged this year.
• Most chief economists (56 per cent) expect the direct impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on regional growth to be insignificant.
• 64 per cent of respondents anticipate moderate inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa in the year ahead.
• Globally, 53 per cent of chief economists expect economic conditions to weaken.