Ghana’s economy is projected to expand by about 6% by the end of 2026, outperforming the International Monetary Fund’s earlier average growth projection of 4.8%, a signal that the country could emerge as one of Africa’s economic outliers over the medium term.
Taking a look into the ‘crystal ball’ on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Senior Partner at AB &David, David Ofosu-Dorte, said that while Africa continues to grapple with global uncertainty and uneven recovery, a handful of countries are set to grow faster than the continental average — with Ghana firmly among that group.
“When it comes to average growth in Africa, the projection for 2026 is about 4%,” he explained. “But there are outliers.”
According to Mr. Ofosu-Dorte, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya are expected to outperform that benchmark, driven by a combination of structural reforms, sectoral diversification, and shifting investment flows.
“Nigeria is projected to grow at about 4.2%. Ghana, 5.8% — and I believe Ghana will hit about 6%. Ethiopia is projected at 7.6%, and Kenya at 5.4%,” he noted.
Beyond the headline numbers, he cautions that Africa’s growth story will not be uniform, pointing to countries such as Uganda, which he describes as a clear exception to the rule.
“Uganda is actually growing at about eight per cent plus and is projected to hit ten per cent,” he said, attributing the momentum largely to recent oil discoveries and the UNOC project, even as he acknowledges data gaps in some areas.
For Ghana and other fast-growing economies, Mr. Ofosu-Dorte argued that the real opportunity lies in sector-focused strategies, rather than broad, one-size-fits-all growth models.
“Africa, in terms of growth, for those who believe in business strategy, should look at various sectors,” he stressed.
He identified agribusiness, education, oil and gas, and the digital economy as critical growth pillars, noting that demographic shifts — particularly the rise of Gen Z and Gen Alpha — are reshaping investment priorities.
“Projects come in when you take into account the rise of Gen Z and Gen Alpha,” he added.
“That’s why things like entertainment, apparel, and the digital economy are becoming increasingly important.”
As capital flows within Africa intensify and consumer-driven sectors gain momentum, the analyst believes countries that align policy, investment, and innovation around these trends — including Ghana — stand the best chance of sustaining above-average growth beyond 2026.
