According to the International Monetary Fund's April 2026 World Economic Outlook, global growth is projected at 2.8% for 2026, down from 3.2% in 2025. The United States remains the world's largest economy with a GDP of $29.2 trillion, followed by China at $19.5 trillion and Germany at $4.8 trillion.
In Africa, the largest economies by nominal GDP in 2026 are South Africa ($401 billion), Nigeria ($395 billion), and Egypt ($378 billion), according to the African Development Bank. Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast at 3.9%, driven by commodity exports and infrastructure investment.
Rwanda leads the continent in GDP growth rate at 7.2%, followed by Ethiopia at 6.8% and Ivory Coast at 6.5%. However, high inflation and debt remain challenges across the region.
