Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as one of the few regions with a strengthening growth outlook amid an increasingly fragile global economy.
According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) September 2025 Chief Economists’ Outlook, 71% of surveyed chief economists expect moderate or strong growth across the region this year, while only 29% foresee weakness.
This confidence comes as the global economy enters a period of weak growth and systemic disruption. Across all regions, 72% of economists expect global conditions to deteriorate amid intensifying trade tensions, heightened policy uncertainty and rapid technological change. The WEF report describes a world economy defined by “high and persistent disruption” and growing fragmentation.
The WEF cites projections by the World Bank placing Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth at 3.7% in 2025, rising to an average of 4.2% in 2026-2027, assuming a stable external environment, easing inflation and fewer conflicts. The region’s improved performance contrasts with the stagnation seen in advanced economies, which face elevated inflation, slowing productivity and trade distortions.
Inflation remains a concern but is showing signs of moderation. A total of 76% of the chief economists surveyed expect moderate inflation across the region in 2025, even though disinflation stalled earlier in the year because of higher food prices.
Both fiscal and monetary policy are expected to stay largely unchanged. About three-quarters of respondents foresee no major fiscal shifts, while the share anticipating tighter fiscal conditions has risen from 4% in April to 17% in August — a sign of growing caution as financing costs rise. Similarly, 70% of respondents expect monetary policy to remain steady.
The WEF notes developing regions hold substantial untapped growth potential, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. “Unlocking this potential will require political will, targeted financing and a sustained commitment to international collaboration,” the report states.
The report warns, however, that new US tariffs on a wide range of imports from Sub-Saharan Africa, could temper earlier optimism. “With new US tariffs of 10%-30% introduced on August 7 across many countries in the region, earlier projections have to be interpreted with caution.” The US imposed 30% tariffs on SA’s exports.
The report also highlights findings from the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey, which identifies limited access to finance as the biggest obstacle to business in several key regions — including Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Public investment is also under pressure, with many developing economies facing net capital outflows as debt-servicing costs increase more rapidly than new disbursements,” the WEF report said.
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