APA-Dakar (Senegal) By Abdourahmane Diallo Growth in sub take off in 2019, hampered by persistent uncertainties in the global economy and domestic reforms
which are slowing down, according to the 20th africa's Pulse report sent Wednesday to APA.
The World Bank overall, growth is expected to be 2.6% in 2019, up from 2.5% the previous year, one
performance 0.2 percentage point lower than April forecast.
Africa's Pulse is also devoting two special components to accelerating poverty reduction and
promoting women's empowerment.
"The inclusion of women is a key element in stimulating growth. African decision faced with a crucial choice: continue current policies or take proactive measures for
foster a more inclusive economy," said the World Bank< Vice President for > Africa, Hafez Ghanem, adding that "After several years of disappointing growth, the reduction in
unequal opportunities for women is an obvious solution for
progress".
Africa is not the only continent to suffer from the uncertain international situation. Forecasts for
2019 is even worse for the Maghreb and the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as
that South Asia, where other emerging and developing economies are reviewing their outlook
decrease, says document.
Beyond regional averages, the balance sheet is mixed: the recovery in the three largest economies of the the region (Nigeria, South Africa and Angola) remains timid and clouds the regional outlook. In Nigeria,
the non progress. In South Africa, a certain mistrust of investors penalizes the activity, notes
report.
With the exception of these three countries, growth is expected to remain robust in the rest of the subcontinent, despite
a slowdown in several countries. The average pace of resource-poor countries is expected to slow,
as a result of tropical cyclones in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, political uncertainty
in Sudan, the decline in agricultural exports in Kenya and fiscal consolidation measures in
Senegal, explains the half-yearly report of the WB.
In the resource-rich countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community,
activity is expected to grow at a moderate pace on the back of higher oil production. Countries
Metal exporters should expect a downturn, linked to the slowdown in mining activity and the
lower mineral prices.
"African economies are also suffering the effects of the international economy, which is <> reflected moderate growth across the region, says Albert Zeufack, Chief Economist
of the World Bank for Africa. At the same time, weak growth in the countries
of Africa is clearly correlated with weak governance and, public officials and citizens
must place the transparency and effectiveness of institutions at the heart of their priorities."