As West Africa enters 2025, the region is poised for a steady recovery, with GDP growth projected to reach 4.4%. This growth is underpinned by ongoing structural reforms, expanding regional integration, and the diverse economic strategies being pursued by key countries across the region.
While Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa, its growth is expected to remain subdued in the short term, with a modest 3.7% growth in 2025. This is largely due to the ongoing macroeconomic reforms aimed at addressing fiscal imbalances and boosting long-term sustainability. Key reforms, such as the unification of the exchange rate and the removal of fuel subsidies, are expected to yield long-term benefits, but they have placed immediate pressure on domestic demand and inflation. However, the country’s ongoing efforts to expand its refining capacity, particularly through the Dangote refinery, are expected to provide a significant boost to growth in the medium term.
In contrast, countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) are expected to outperform, with growth rates of 6.2% projected in 2025. Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Senegal are set to drive much of this growth, supported by strong private consumption, infrastructure investment, and a growing digital economy. Côte d'Ivoire, for example, is poised for robust growth, with projections of 6.6% in 2025, thanks to its investments in infrastructure, digitalisation, and its recent oil discoveries.
In this session, speakers will explore the economic outlook for West Africa in 2025, focusing on key opportunities for investment, the impact of structural reforms, and strategies for managing inflation and debt. Special attention will be given to the role of the AfCFTA, the green energy transition, and how countries are navigating political and climate risks to position themselves for future growth.
Moderator
Partner | ALN Nigeria
Speakers
Head of Research, Africa and Middle East | Standard Chartered
EMEA, Business Continuity Management, High Risk Managed Services , Security Consulting | Control Risks