MBABANE:Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) including Eswatini picked up to an estimated 4.0 percent in 2025, up from 3.7 percent in 2024, the World Bank says through a press release sent to this Swaziland News.
The improvement was supported by moderating inflation, while higher-than-expected commodity prices—particularly for gold, other precious metals, and coffee—boosted fiscal revenues in several countries.
“Even so, performance across SSA economies was mixed, with growth slowing among industrial commodity exporters but strengthening elsewhere. Growth diverged among the region’s three largest economies—firming in Nigeria and South Africa but moderating in Ethiopia,”reads the press release in part.
On another note, the World Bank said South Africa’s economy rose to 1.3 percent, supported by more reliable electricity supply, a bumper agricultural harvest, and a pickup in business confidence.
But the World Bank warned that, future growth could be weaker than projected if trade barriers and related uncertainty increase further, reform implementation slows, violent conflict persists or worsens, weather shocks intensify.
“On the upside, activity in SSA could be bolstered by duty-free access to China, stronger-than-expected global growth, continued progress in regional integration, and firmer commodity prices,” the World Bank said.
World Bank Headquarters(pic:WB).