The AfDB presented its African Economic Outlook 2026 at its Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, on the theme of mobilising development financing at scale in a fragmented world. The Gabon note reports that growth slowed to 2.7% in 2025 from 3.4% in 2024, due to contractions in oil (-2.9%), mining (-2.1%), timber (-23.7%) and transport (-3.5%), partly offset by construction and public works (+25.4%).

The fiscal deficit widened to 5.3% of GDP from 3.8% in 2024, and debt reached 78.9% of GDP. The current account moved from a surplus of 3.4% to a deficit of 1.5% of GDP. The poverty rate rose from 32.8% to 33.1% and unemployment stands at 20.2%, 36.3% among young people.

The AfDB projects growth of 3.0% in 2026 and 3.1% in 2027, with inflation of 3.1% and then 2.3%. To mobilise financing at scale, the note recommends accelerating economic and financial reforms to restore macroeconomic balances, and points to the shallowness of the financial system. The full country report is available in French.