West Africa is experiencing a wave of economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and investment initiatives that are reshaping the region’s business landscape. From energy and mining to finance and digital services, governments and private actors are opening new doors for local and regional entrepreneurs.
🇳🇬 Nigeria: Consolidated Stability and Diversified Investment
Nigeria enters 2026 with projected GDP growth of 4.5%, supported by structural reforms and financial market resilience. Investment opportunities are expanding in:
- Capital markets: government bonds, corporate debt, and equities.
- Energy transition: renewable projects complementing oil and gas.
- Technology & fintech: digital payments and blockchain adoption.
- Agribusiness: food security and export diversification.
🇬🇭 Ghana: Stability and Sectoral Expansion
Ghana’s economy is stabilizing with easing inflation and renewed investor confidence. Key sectors attracting investment include:
- Mining: gold and critical minerals under the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
- Renewable energy: solar and wind projects to diversify power supply.
- Digital economy: fintech, e-commerce, and ICT services.
- Agriculture: modernization and export-oriented agribusiness.
🇧🇯 Bénin: Strengthening Investor Dialogue
Eurocham Bénin, with EU support, published a white paper Investir au Bénin: opportunités et perspectives, highlighting fiscal hurdles, financing gaps, and investment security concerns. This initiative aims to foster public-private dialogue and improve the investment climate, creating opportunities for SMEs in finance, consulting, and infrastructure.
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso: Fiscal Mobilization Success
Burkina Faso mobilized €5 billion in domestic resources in 2025, surpassing targets. With plans to create a state holding company for asset management and reinforce budget discipline, opportunities are emerging for entrepreneurs in treasury operations, compliance, and financial services.
🇨🇻 Cape Verde: Ports and Trade Expansion
Cape Verde launched an €83 million tender for Mindelo’s port expansion, financed by the EU and EIB. Exports grew 18.2% in 2025, driven by processed fish and niche products like stamps. With Europe absorbing 95% of exports, entrepreneurs can tap into logistics, tourism, and value-added processing industries.
🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire: Financing and Energy Discoveries
Côte d’Ivoire successfully issued a $1.3 billion Eurobond at favorable rates, underscoring investor confidence. ENI’s discovery of the Calao South hydrocarbon field, second only to Baleine, positions the country as a future energy hub. Entrepreneurs in oil services, logistics, and downstream industries stand to benefit.
🇬🇲 Gambia: Electrification Drive
Electrification now covers 90% of the country, with $552 million in total energy commitments. SMEs in renewable energy, last-mile distribution, and maintenance services are well-placed to support the final push toward universal access.
🇬🇳 Guinea: Mining Governance Hub
Guinea will host the African Centre for Mineral Development (CADM), tasked with improving governance and local transformation of mineral resources. This positions the country as a continental hub for mining expertise, offering opportunities for consulting firms, training centers, and local processing ventures.
🇱🇷 Liberia & 🇲🇱 Mali: Inflation Trends
Liberia recorded inflation at 3.2% in January 2026, while Mali saw deflation at -0.8%. These shifts reflect sectoral price dynamics, impacting consumer markets. Entrepreneurs in food distribution and health services must adapt pricing strategies to volatile conditions.
🇲🇷 Mauritania: OECD Membership
Mauritania joined the OECD Development Centre, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and resource mobilization. This enhances investor confidence and creates openings for local firms to align with international standards in governance and taxation.
🇳🇪 Niger: Sharp Deflation
Niger’s inflation dropped to -10.2%, driven by falling food and education costs. While challenging for producers, this environment may favor entrepreneurs in financial services and insurance, where demand is rising.
🇸🇳 Senegal: Gas-to-Power and Telecom Growth
Senegal’s sovereign wealth fund FONSIS launched a call for partners to build a 500 MW gas-fired power plant, a cornerstone of its energy transition. Meanwhile, telecom giant Sonatel reported €2.9 billion in revenue, with strong growth in mobile data and digital finance. Entrepreneurs can leverage opportunities in energy services, fintech, and digital ecosystems.
🇹🇬 Togo: Demographic Clarity
The UN revised Togo’s population estimate to 8.7 million, correcting earlier projections. This demographic clarity is crucial for market sizing, offering entrepreneurs better data to plan consumer-focused ventures.
Regional Outlook
Across West Africa, governments are mobilizing resources, attracting international financing, and investing in infrastructure. For local and regional entrepreneurs, opportunities abound in:
- Energy transition projects (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana)
- Infrastructure and logistics (Cape Verde ports, Burkina Faso treasury reforms)
- Digital and financial services (Senegal, Nigeria’s fintech, Ghana’s ICT growth)
- Resource governance and transformation (Guinea, Mauritania, Ghana mining)
West Africa’s trajectory is clear: resilience, integration, and sustainable growth. Entrepreneurs who align with these priorities will be well-positioned to thrive in the region’s evolving economic landscape.