IMF lists Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda among the continent’s fastest-growing economies, citing fiscal reforms and strong policy frameworks.
The International Monetary Fund has excluded Nigeria from its latest list of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, naming Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda among the top performers.
IMF’s African Department Director, Abebe Selassie, announced this in Washington, D.C., during the launch of the Regional Economic Outlook, noting that Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth is expected to hold steady at 4.1 per cent in 2025.
“Several countries in the region — Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda — are among the fastest-growing economies in the world,” Selassie said.
Although omitted from the list, Nigeria’s growth forecast was raised to 3.9 per cent, driven by improved oil production, investor confidence, and fiscal reforms.
The IMF, however, urged Nigeria to deepen structural reforms, strengthen power supply, and diversify revenue to unlock greater growth potential.
It also warned African governments against rising domestic borrowing, urging stronger fiscal discipline and transparent debt management.