The World Bank remains optimistic about the state of growth in sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years, although marked by a slowdown in 2022. The institution's latest Africa's Pulse report forecasts growth estimated at 3.9% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024. But there are many risks to this outlook.

In  the WAEMU zone, growth will average 6.3% over the next three years. But the current context points to new challenges to economic growth, aggravated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Among the external risks, the report highlights the challenges this poses for monetary policy, a more aggressive than expected monetary policy tightening cycle in advanced economies, the resurgence of a more contagious and virulent variant of the coronavirus, and civil unrest in several parts of the continent due to prices. high fuel and food caused by the war in Ukraine, and the zero-tolerance policy for COVID-19 applied in China.

Potential domestic risks include a cascade of defaults by states and companies due to unsustainable debt, deteriorating security in the Sahel region and elsewhere, as well as extreme weather. Albert Zeufack, the World Bank's chief economist for Africa, urges policymakers to look for innovative solutions such as reducing or temporarily removing import duties on staple foods to relieve their citizens.