World Bank Sees Sub-Saharan Africa Inflation Rising to 5.5% in 2026

Inflation in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise to 5.5% in 2026, according to a World Bank forecast, as fuel and food crises threaten to intensify pressure on prices.

The bank also projects economic growth of 4.3%, placing the region’s outlook against a backdrop of rising costs, debt challenges and climate change.

Fuel and food pressures pose a particular risk to households, whose purchasing power can weaken as essential goods become more expensive. Higher costs can also put pressure on businesses and complicate the outlook for economic activity.

Conflict and climate volatility add uncertainty to that picture. Disruptions to supplies and agricultural production could make it harder to contain price increases.

Debt challenges further complicate the policy response, potentially limiting governments’ room to cushion households from higher costs. The forecasts underscore the region’s challenge of sustaining growth while keeping inflation in check.