Africa’s economic outlook continues to shift as stronger bank earnings, improving growth in key economies and rising commodity prices reshape the continent’s financial landscape.
From Standard Bank’s stronger profits and South Africa’s improving economic momentum to Benin’s return to deflation and a renewed gold boom, several developments are signalling changing macro conditions across the continent’s largest markets.
Here are the key stories shaping Africa’s finance landscape this week.
Standard Bank profits rise to $2.97bn on trading growth and lower loan losses
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest lender by assets, reported an 11 percent increase in annual headline earnings as strong trading performance and lower credit impairments boosted profitability.
The Johannesburg-based lender said headline earnings rose to R49.2 billion ($2.97 billion) for the year ended December 31, 2025, up from R44.5 billion ($2.69 billion) a year earlier. The bank, which has a 162-year history in South Africa and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, remains one of the continent’s most influential financial institutions.
Why it matters: Stronger earnings from Africa’s biggest bank signal improving credit conditions and resilient financial sector performance, which could support lending and investment across the continent.
South Africa’s economy grows at fastest pace in three years
South Africa’s economy expanded 1.1 percent in 2025, the fastest pace in three years, driven by stronger output in agriculture, trade and financial services.
Data released by Statistics South Africa showed growth improved from 0.5 percent in 2024, while the economy recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of expansion after growing 0.4 percent in the fourth quarter.
Why it matters: Although growth remains modest, the improvement suggests Africa’s most industrialised economy may be stabilising, which could strengthen regional trade and investor confidence.
Benin slips into deflation as food and service prices fall
Benin entered deflation in February 2026 for the first time in more than a year as declining food and service prices outweighed increases in housing and energy costs.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INStaD) showed consumer prices fell 0.1 percent year-on-year, compared with 0.9 percent inflation in January. The development marks the eleventh episode of deflation in five years, highlighting the volatility of price trends in the small West African economy.
Why it matters: Deflation may signal weak domestic demand, but it could also create room for policymakers to ease monetary conditions to support growth.
African nations look to gold as strategic economic asset
African governments are increasingly treating gold as a strategic financial asset as prices hover near historic highs.
Countries including Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are moving to capture more value from the bullion boom, ranging from gold-backed reserve programmes to efforts to formalise artisanal mining. The metal’s importance has grown as tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher, with the United States–Israel conflict with Iran driving Brent crude close to $100 per barrel and raising inflation risks globally.
Why it matters: Higher gold prices could help strengthen foreign reserves, stabilise currencies and boost fiscal revenues for several African economies.
Africa’s billionaire wealth climbs above $126bn
Africa’s richest individuals have grown significantly wealthier as rising equity markets lifted asset valuations across the continent.
The 23 African billionaires tracked in the 2026 Forbes World’s Billionaires list are now worth $126.7 billion, up 21 percent from 2025. Combined wealth increased by $20.3 billion over the past year, marking the second consecutive year that Africa’s billionaire fortunes have exceeded $100 billion.
Why it matters: Rising billionaire wealth reflects stronger equity markets and corporate earnings, particularly in countries such as Nigeria and South Africa.
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Bunmi Bailey
Bunmi holds a degree in Economics from the University of Lagos and has over eight years of experience in content writing and journalism.
Her career spans roles as a financial and business journalist at BusinessDay Media and TechCabal, and as Head of Research at SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused market intelligence and strategic consulting firm.
She also served as Editor at Finance in Africa, a subsidiary of Businessfront and is currently Assistant Editor, Finance (Africa), at BusinessDay.
