IMF Upgrades Sub-Saharan Africa's Growth Forecast to 4.5% for 2026, Citing Regional Resilience

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa upwards to 4.5% for 2026, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from its April World Economic Outlook. The IMF's regional director highlighted the region's resilience in navigating multiple crises, including the US-Iran war, attributing this to global energy supply adjustments and private sector adaptations. Despite the upgrade, concerns remain about weak per capita growth and the crowding out of private sector financing by government debt servicing.