World Bank Report Projects Steady Growth for Sub-Saharan Africa Amidst AI Opportunity Gap
Sub-Saharan Africa's economy is projected to grow from 4.1 percent in 2025 to 4.3 percent in 2026, according to the World Bank's October 2026 Africa Economic Update, supported by robust global trade and sustained external demand. The report notes, however, that mounting debt service burdens, limited fiscal space and higher energy and transport costs continue to weigh on the region's outlook amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The update highlights artificial intelligence as a significant opportunity for productivity gains and job creation across the continent but warns that adoption remains uneven. Limited connectivity constrains workers' ability to benefit from AI-driven tools, while public sector uptake remains basic across many countries. The World Bank emphasises that strengthening the foundational enablers for AI adoption will be critical to realising broader economic benefits and improving efficiency across Sub-Saharan Africa.
