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African Development Bank: New report highlights Africa’s strengthening economic growth amid global challenges

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The continent also continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, structural weaknesses, climate-related disasters, and prolonged conflicts in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, February 17, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • Growth rates above 5 percent expected in close to half of the continent’s countries in 2025; 12 of world’s 20 fastest growing economies will be African

Africa’s economic performance is showing signs of improvement but remains vulnerable to global shocks, according to the 2025 Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) report released by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org/en) on Friday.

The report, unveiled on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, projects real GDP growth to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2025 and 4.4 percent in 2026. The forecast is attributed to economic reforms, declining inflation, and improved fiscal and debt positions.

Despite the positive trajectory, the report highlights that Africa’s growth remains below the 7 percent threshold required for substantial poverty reduction. The continent also continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, structural weaknesses, climate-related disasters, and prolonged conflicts in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. It estimated Africa’s average real GDP growth to be 3.2 percent in 2024, slightly higher than the 3.0 percent recorded in 2023.

The report notes that while inflationary pressures persist, Africa’s average inflation rate is expected to decline from 18.6 percent in 2024 to 12.6 percent in 2025-2026 due to tighter monetary policies. Fiscal deficits have widened slightly from 4.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to 4.6 percent in 2024 but are projected to narrow to 4.1 percent by 2025-2026. Public debt levels have stabilized but remain above pre-pandemic levels, with nine countries in debt distress and eleven at high risk of distress.

The MEO, published by the Bank biannually in the first and fourth quarters, responds to a critical need for timely economic data amid global uncertainty. It serves policymakers, development partners, global investors, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The 2025 report identifies 24 African nations, including Djibouti, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Sudan, as poised to exceed 5 percent GDP growth in 2025. Additionally, Africa remains the world’s second-fastest-growing region after Asia, with 12 of the 20 fastest-growing economies projected to be on the continent.

Ethiopia’s Finance Minister, Ato Ahmed Shide, praised the report’s depth of analysis. “It underscores the fragility of Africa’s economic growth, which is projected to hover around 4 percent in the near term,” he said, emphasizing the need for proactive policy measures to sustain growth and stability.

He said Ethiopia has taken bold steps to restore macroeconomic stability, build resilience, and accelerate growth, with the government prioritizing economic liberalization, private sector empowerment, and fiscal discipline.

As Africa navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape, policymakers must adopt a forward-looking approach to reinforce resilience and drive sustainable growth

Strengthening Africa’s Resilience

In her remarks at the report’s launch, Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank, highlighted the continent’s potential for driving global economic expansion but said achieving this requires decisive and well-coordinated policies.

“As Africa navigates an increasingly complex economic landscape, policymakers must adopt a forward-looking approach to reinforce resilience and drive sustainable growth. Africa’s economic resilience and growth prospects remain strong, but challenges persist,” said Nwabufo, who represented the Bank Group’s President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Presenting the report, Prof. Kevin Urama, the Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance & Knowledge Management, underscored the need for stronger coordination between monetary and fiscal policies to manage inflation while fostering economic expansion.

He urged countries to strengthen foreign reserves to shield economies from external shocks and currency depreciations, alongside pre-emptive debt restructuring to prevent defaults and enhance financial stability.

Medium- to long-term strategies should include increasing investments in integrated infrastructure to drive economic transformation and diversification. Governments must work to enhance the business environment through regulatory reforms and long-term strategies to attract private investment, Urama said.

The 2025 MEO report outlines key policy recommendations, including implementing pre-emptive debt restructuring to enhance financial stability, investing in integrated infrastructure to support economic diversification and improving the business environment through regulatory reforms and investment strategies.

Path Forward

Panel discussions following the report’s launch underscored the importance of fully implementing continental development initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. Discussions also focused on accelerating new initiatives like the proposed Africa Credit Rating Agency and the African Financial Stability Mechanism.

The panel, moderated by Dr Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor (Communications and Stakeholder Engagement) to the Bank Group President, included contributions from the African Risk Capacity Group, represented by its chair, Dr. Mothae Maruping. Gambian Finance Minister Seedy Keita highlighted the African Development Bank’s support in implementing the country’s fiscal reforms and domestic revenue mobilization.

African Union Trade Commissioner Albert Muchanga called on the private sector to do more to support the African Continental Free Trade Area, including through increased investments in logistics and manufacturing. “What I would expect [African businesses] to do is come up with logistics centers and warehouses across Africa; I would also expect the African private sector to start planning to develop an African shipping line… We are sitting on potential; the business sector has not responded,” Muchanga said.

Click here (https://apo-opa.co/3CYp6fd) for the 2025 MEO report.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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IsDBI

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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