AFRICA FACES GROWTH SLOWDOWN

Sub-Saharan Africa entered 2026 after a strong 2025, but the IMF says the region’s outlook is being clouded by external shocks. The war in the Middle East has pushed up fuel and fertilizer prices, adding pressure to economies already facing weaker aid flows and higher food costs. The IMF expects regional growth to ease to 4.3 percent in 2026, with large differences across countries. The biggest story for the Africa Edition is the tightening link between conflict-driven commodity shocks and rising economic strain across the region.