Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya to Drive Strong 4.2% SSA Economic Growth in 2026, Says Fitch Solutions
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is projected to record its strongest economic growth in over a decade in 2026, with real GDP growth forecast to accelerate to 4.2 per cent, up from an estimated 3.9 per cent in 2025, according to Fitch Solutions.
In its latest outlook, Fitch Solutions noted that the improved growth performance will be broad-based, with several key economies making stronger contributions to regional output. Nigeria is expected to be the largest contributor to SSA’s growth in 2026, adding 0.63 percentage points, followed by Ghana at 0.35 percentage points and Kenya at 0.30 percentage points.
The report further indicated that Angola’s contribution to regional growth will see the sharpest increase, rising from 0.09 percentage points in 2025 to 0.17 percentage points in 2026. While East African economies are expected to remain solid contributors, their overall addition to regional growth is projected to be lower than in 2025.
Fitch Solutions said the outlook is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of persistent global trade tensions. However, the firm expects tariff-related uncertainty to ease in 2026, reducing downside risks to growth across the region.
It added that most Sub-Saharan African economies have relatively low exposure to United States tariffs, largely because the US is not a dominant trading partner for the majority of countries in the region. As a result, tariff-related headwinds are expected to have a limited impact on overall regional growth.
According to the report, markets most exposed to potential tariff pressures tend to be smaller economies, with South Africa being a notable exception. Nonetheless, Fitch Solutions maintains that the broader region is well-positioned to sustain stronger growth momentum in 2026, supported by improving domestic conditions across several major economies.
