Why talk about growth projections? Do they really matter?
They matter so much because growth forecasts are a key indicator for ascertaining a
country’s investment attractiveness. Investors are very much interested in such insights
and economic recovery helps to attract foreign investors to invest in a country.
Projections have shown that several African nations are among the fastest-growing
economies in 2025. According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of
the 22 countries analysed, over 10 of them are African nations that made the list of the
fastest-growing economies in the world in 2025. South Sudan tops the list with a
massive 27.2%, Guyana came second (14.4%), Libya (another African nation) grabbed
the third spot with 13.7% and Senegal (another country in Africa) came fourth, projected
to be growing at 9.3% while other countries grow at an average of 6%.
Image/data credit: IMF
South Sudan is projected to lead global GDP growth in 2025. The country is expected to
experience a rebound after a serious 26.4% contraction in 2024, which was attributed to
the economic fallout from the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. The positive outlook
hinges on the assumption that Sudan’s war would have ended by late 2024, paving the
way for recovery and reconstruction.
In the Americas, Guyana stands out with a forecasted GDP growth of 14.4% for 2025,
driven by its booming oil and gas sector. This growth stems from a major offshore
discovery in 2015 by ExxonMobil and its partners, which continues to transform the
nation’s economy. In other countries, some factors are expected to lead to the growth
their economies are projected to experience in 2025. For instance, in Libya, oil
production picked up again in October 2024 after the settlement of the raging conflict
between the opposing political camps.