The Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) released its annual 'Economic Outlook 2026' report on January 26, 2026. The report identifies key themes shaping the global economic landscape. MEI highlights that global policy changes enacted in 2025 will continue to influence 2026.
The outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains positive. MEI expects regional growth to strengthen, citing easing inflation and resilient consumer demand. Infrastructure investments also support this growth.
The MEI projects Nigeria’s GDP will grow by 4.0% in 2026. South Africa’s GDP is projected to grow by 1.2%.
Improved consumer purchasing power and fiscal reforms support these specific projections. The report utilizes proprietary and public data sets.