The International Monetary Fund projects at least five African economies — Ethiopia, Guinea, Uganda, Rwanda, and Benin — will expand by 7% or more in 2026, outpacing most of the world even as global markets face headwinds from Middle East conflict and oil price volatility. Ethiopia leads the continent with projected growth of 9.2%, fuelled by public investment and industrial development, while Guinea (8.7%) is driven by its vast bauxite reserves, Uganda (7.5%) by infrastructure and emerging oil activity, Rwanda (7.2%) by services and governance reforms, and Benin (7%) by port trade and structural reforms. The UN forecasts Africa's overall growth at 4% in 2026 — well above the global average of 2.7% — signalling that the continent's expanding economic diversity, spanning commodities, finance, logistics, and technology, is drawing increasing attention from international investors.