West Africa economic growth and sustainable mobility updates

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Guinea will lead West African economic growth in 2026 with a rate of 7.2%, driven largely by its mining sector and the Simandou project. Benin and Niger are expected to follow with 7% growth, while Côte d'Ivoire is projected to rank fourth with 6%. The IMF has raised its sub-Saharan African growth forecast for 2026 to 4.5%, noting the region has shown resilience against global energy shocks caused by conflicts in the Middle East.

In Abidjan, the second International Conference on Sustainable Mobility and Climate (CIMDC 2026) concluded with the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration. The document urges African cities to develop accessible, low-carbon transport systems to reduce emissions and improve urban quality of life. The declaration calls for strengthened governance and increased financing to modernize infrastructure and renew vehicle fleets across the continent.