“African Development Bank Group Unveils Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook 2025
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –The African Development Bank Group has officially launched the 2025 edition of Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO 2025), presenting a comprehensive analysis of the continent’s economic trends and future prospects. The report highlights Africa’s growth performance and outlook, forecasting an increase in real GDP growth from 3.2% in 2024 to 4.1% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026. The report also reveals recent dynamics in Africa’s macroeconomic fundamentals and outlines key risks to watch. While Africa remains the world’s second-fastest-growing region after Asia, the report warns that growth remains below the 7% threshold needed to drive job creation and lift millions of Africans out of poverty. Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President of the Bank, highlighted that while Africa’s economic outlook is improving, addressing structural constraints will be critical for sustaining long-term growth.
The MEO 2025 outlines critical macroeconomic challenges, including elevated inflation, currency depreciation, rising debt burdens, and widening fiscal deficits. Despite ongoing monetary policy tightening, inflation remains persistently high, impacting living costs and economic stability. Key policy recommendations include the importance of macroeconomic policy reforms, such as coordinating monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize inflation and incentivize capital inflows, as well as implementing debt sustainability measures like preemptive debt restructuring, building foreign reserves and establishing financial stabilization mechanisms. Other critical recommendations advocate for accelerating domestic revenue mobilization, improving business environments, and prioritizing investments in infrastructure, natural capital, and diaspora remittances to foster Africa's development. As Africa navigates complex global and regional challenges, urgent reforms of the global finance architecture along with stronger regional integration are vital to ensuring long-term sustainable and inclusive growth.“
Download 2025 MEO report English , French
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