Accra:Ghana's economy is expected to grow by 5.7% in 2026, maintaining its position among West Africa's steady performers. However, growth is projected to slow to 5.2% in 2027, as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to Ghana Web, the forecast is part of the IMF's latest World Economic Outlook database, which was posted online on October 18, 2026. This projection follows an estimated growth rate of 6.0% in 2025, indicating ongoing economic expansion, albeit at a slightly reduced pace in the following year.
The IMF figures highlight that while Ghana's growth outlook remains positive, the anticipated slowdown in 2027 suggests that sustaining the current pace of economic expansion will be crucial. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, economic growth is expected to hold steady at 4.5% annually from 2025 to 2027, despite global economic pressures.
The regional outlook reveals disparities among countries, with some East African economies predicted to outpace Ghana and other major markets. Ethiopia's economy, for example, is projected to grow by 9.2% in both 2025 and 2026 before slowing to 7.8% in 2027. Rwanda and Uganda are also expected to see strong growth, with Uganda reaching a projected growth rate of 9.9% in 2027.
In contrast, Nigeria, West Africa's largest economy, is forecast to grow by 4.0% in 2025, increasing slightly to 4.2% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027. South Africa's outlook is weaker, with growth estimates of 1.1% in 2025, 1.0% in 2026, and 1.3% in 2027.
The IMF data also highlights significant shifts in some resource-dependent economies. South Sudan's growth is projected to decline sharply from 41.4% in 2025 to 10.5% in 2026 and 3.9% in 2027. Equatorial Guinea is expected to remain in negative growth, with its contraction narrowing from 5.8% in 2025 to 1.7% in 2026 and 1.0% in 2027.
The IMF noted that growth across the continent is likely to remain uneven, with some economies expanding rapidly while others continue to face significant economic challenges. Additionally, data for Eritrea were excluded due to reporting constraints, and figures for Senegal were not published because discussions concerning an active IMF program were ongoing.