Outlooks

Holding Steady: Athene Laws on sub-Saharan Africa’s Outlook

Athene Laws

November 20, 2025

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Athene Laws - Holding Steady: Athene Laws on sub-Saharan Africa’s Outlook
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In This Episode

Sub-Saharan Africa is holding its own despite a deteriorating global trade and aid landscape. The latest outlook projects growth to remain steady at 4.1 percent this year with a modest pickup in 2026. While the region has once again proven its resilience, what will it take to realize its full potential? IMF Economist Athene Laws helps pull together the biannual Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa. In this podcast, she says removing barriers to private firm growth is crucial for providing the jobs needed by the region’s young and rapidly expanding labor force. Transcript

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Athene Laws is an economist in the Regional Studies division of the IMF African Department.

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