New projections made about Africa’s economic story in 2026 are based on nominal GDP estimates that place a familiar group of countries at the top, but the deeper story lies in why these economies are leading and what it signals about Africa’s future growth path.

The recent decision by the Trump administration to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has affected countries that have been primary beneficiaries of U.S. foreign assistance.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its latest projections for the largest economies in Africa for 2024.