African economies have weathered the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war, but declining foreign aid and persistent insecurity leave the continent exposed to future shocks, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

The IMF projects Africa’s economy will grow by 4.5 per cent in 2026 and 5 per cent in 2027. However, development assistance fell sharply last year and is expected to decline by another 12 per cent this year, according to Zeine Zeidane, head of the IMF’s Africa department.

Speaking at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Zeidane urged governments to strengthen economic resilience and leverage artificial intelligence (AI), which could boost growth by more than 4 per cent over the next decade.

Meanwhile, Guinea and Burkina Faso highlighted efforts to use mineral wealth to diversify their economies, create jobs and expand local processing. Several West African countries are tightening control over strategic resources, including gold.

The IMF cautioned that renewed energy disruptions, global financial uncertainty and extreme weather could intensify economic pressures across the continent.