Africa ETP News
you are currently viewing::Sub-Saharan Africa's Growth Holds, But Downside Risks MountApril 8, 2026--Smarter industrial policy can advance Africa's economic transformation and create jobs
Geopolitical risks-including the conflict in the Middle East, high debt-service burdens and long-standing structural constraints, continue to weigh on the region's capacity to accelerate growth and create jobs. The report, formerly titled Africa's Pulse, finds that growth for 2026 in Sub-Saharan Africa is holding at 4.1%, the same pace as in 2025, but downside risks are mounting. Rising fuel, food, and fertilizer prices, alongside tighter financial conditions, are likely to push inflation higher, disrupt economic activity, and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable households which spend a larger share of their income on food and energy. Source: worldbank.org |
South African rand strengthens after surprise GDP growth data
June 9, 2026- The rand strengthened on Tuesday after South Africa's economy expanded more than expected in the first quarter of 2026, though the impact of the Iran war was likely to be reflected in the next release.
At 1415 GMT, the rand traded at 16.4325 against the U.S. dollar, up about 0.6%.
