A new report from the African Development Bank shows Africa's real GDP growth reached an estimated 4.4 percent in 2025, demonstrating the continent's resilience despite ongoing global challenges including the Middle East crisis and previous economic shocks.
Even after factoring in the impacts of the current Middle East crisis, the continent is expected to maintain growth between 4.0 and 4.2 percent depending on the duration of the conflict. A three-month crisis would see growth at 4.0 percent, while a longer period of more than six months could still maintain similar levels.
The growth was broad-based across the continent, with 36 African countries recording improved economic performance. Seven of these countries reached particularly high levels of growth, demonstrating the diversity of economic drivers across the region.
However, the report identifies a significant concern: GDP per capita growth rates are not keeping pace with overall GDP growth. This gap means that while economies are expanding, the benefits are not translating proportionally into improved living standards for individual citizens.
The report was presented in the context of development financing at scale in what was described as a fragmented world. Global governance has seen increasing multipolarisation alongside trade fragmentation and supply chain disruptions.
Africa has demonstrated remarkable resilience through successive global shocks including the financial crisis, the COVID pandemic, oil price volatility, and various geopolitical crises. Capital flows across the world have shifted significantly as a result of these disruptions.
A major focus of the report is domestic revenue mobilisation as a key strategy for African countries to finance their own development rather than relying on external funding. The findings underscore the importance of building stronger fiscal foundations across the continent.