Africa Economic Compass

Reading Africa’s shifting economic landscape

Africa entered 2026 on stronger macroeconomic foundations, supported by easing inflation and improved external balances. Yet the war in the Middle East threatens to
test that progress through higher energy prices and tighter global financial conditions.

Key highlights of the report

• Macro outlook – A continent facing renewed pressure from oil, inflation and global financial tightening
• Country focus – Diverging paths across key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt
• Payments in Africa – A shifting cross-border payments landscape, still fragmented but evolving
• MePI framework – A new lens to track macroeconomic pressure across countries relative to their own history

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