Sub-Saharan Africa faces slower growth as US-Iran war raises costs - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxNX2dWOE5tbG1UTjQ4ZFozdVMtSi1NUGlOd01WR3Y0bGZGaGpZRFEwd1FURElqb21Jb3RsV2M3NmQyOGFaSWJoVVViNVVCQnBmcjFDeFB1Z3lRWnZvR0dESGlQUFFKa0hPX0ZKbnVUWnY3bFM1M0h4RkdxeTN5TW1mTmxmWnMtV3ktcUtqUGlTbTNWaHFOaC0yekpsUWdvQzBRZjA2bGR1bWhEcGxZeVY2NU9n?oc=5" target="_blank">Sub-Saharan Africa faces slower growth as US-Iran war raises costs</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The conflict in the Middle East is reshaping Africa’s economic outlook, pushing inflation higher and forcing a downward revision to growth forecasts by the World Bank, just as the region was finding its footing.

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to rise from 3.3 percent in 2024 to 3.5 percent in 2025 and accelerate to 4.3 percent in 2026–27. However, the incidence and severity of conflict and violence increased in 2024 and early 2025, driving acute food insecurity and a rise in food emergencies.

The World Bank stated that Nigeria's economy will grow despite the Iran war in the first half of 2026. However, the conflict has led to higher fuel prices, affecting transport, food, and production costs, and posing risks to incomes and poverty reduction.

The Middle East war 'presents a serious risk to Africa', the African Union and the African Development Bank (AfDB) said in a report. The conflict threatens to increase the cost of living and curtail growth on the continent.

The escalating conflict involving Iran has exposed Africa’s vulnerability to global commodity and logistics shocks. While oil-exporting countries may briefly enjoy higher revenues, most African economies face rising inflation, currency pressure, and deteriorating household welfare.