Driving Africa’s SME Growth, Performance, and Resilience.

AfBC Africa SME Growth Index 2026 reveals a continent at a pivotal maturation point. In a year defined by a projected 4.3% GDP growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa, the "hustle" has officially transitioned into a structured economic movement. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) now generate 80% of employment and are increasingly shifting from survival-oriented models to tech-enabled, scalable businesses. The 2026 Index highlights a significant pivot: the "growth at all costs" mantra of the early 2020s has been replaced by a rigorous focus on unit economics and operational resilience.

The 2026 Regional Deep-Dive offers a granular look at the SME ecosystems of 20 high-potential African countries - West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea), East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda), Southern Africa (  South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola), North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and Central Africa ( Cameroon, DRC Congo). In 2026, the continent’s growth is no longer a monolith; it is a story of regional champions and sectoral shifts.

 In 2026, Africa’s SME sector is maturing from a fragmented collection of survivalist ventures into a tech-enabled economic movement. Now generating 80% of total employment, these enterprises are entering a phase of "disciplined adaptation," pivoting from raw survival toward sophisticated, high-yield, low-capital business models. This shift is fueled by a global-leading surge in entrepreneurial intent, with over 22% of the working-age population now actively starting or running a business.