Africa Aware
Africa Aware is a new podcast series from the Africa Programme at Chatham House. Each month our team brings together the best international experts to provide original analysis on issues pertinent to African states’ national, regional and international politics. Our guests tackle the big questions and propose solutions centred around African agency.
Feb 6, 2026
The IMF’s economic outlook for Africa in 2026 points to an average GDP growth rate of 4.3% – making it the fastest-growing region globally. In practice, however, per capita growth is far lower and various factors like persistent debt issues and a decline in official development assistance jeopardise this positive outlook.
In this episode, guests Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi (African Center for Economic Transformation) and Admassu Tadesse (Trade and Development Bank) explore strategies to ensure sustained economic growth matching the promising outlook for the continent. They discuss untapped policy actions to spur economic transformation as well as the role of regional financial institutions to meet the needs of African countries shaping their development agendas.
Related content:
Africa in 2026: Global uncertainty demands regional leadership
Why an African Credit Rating Agency isn’t a good idea for the region’s borrowers