A new outlook from the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report projects a strong growth cycle across several African economies between 2026 and 2028, with infrastructure megaprojects, energy investments, and industrial reforms emerging as the primary drivers of expansion.
Leading the continent’s growth rankings is Guinea, where the transformational Simandou iron ore project is expected to accelerate economic output sharply. The country is forecast to grow by 8.8% in 2026, 11.6% in 2027, and 10.7% in 2028, positioning it among the fastest-expanding economies globally. Analysts estimate the project alone could raise Guinea’s GDP by roughly 26% by 2030.
In East Africa, Ethiopia continues to benefit from large-scale energy infrastructure led by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, supporting electrification and industrial supply chains. Growth is projected at 8.0% in 2026, 6.9% in 2027, and 8.4% in 2028.
Meanwhile, Uganda is entering a new oil-driven growth phase, supported by pipeline development through Kenya. The economy is expected to expand by 6.8%, 8.5%, and 8.1% over the same period.
Steady structural transformation continues to anchor performance in Rwanda and Tanzania, where agriculture modernization, services expansion, and industrial policy reforms sustain projected growth averaging above 6% annually.
In West Africa, Benin is gaining momentum from policy reforms and the expansion of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, with growth expected to remain above 7% through 2028. At the same time, Niger is benefiting from rising oil production—now exceeding 110,000 barrels per day—although export transit constraints linked to regional tensions with Benin remain a key risk factor.
Together, these projections highlight a broader continental shift: economies investing in energy, extractives, and industrial zones are increasingly shaping Africa’s next growth frontier through the late 2020s.
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