Development Finance International

The IMF has published the October 2014 installment of its Regional Economic Outlook For Sub-Saharan Africa. Bolstered by efforts to invest in infrastructure and by strong agricultural production, the report claims, the region anticipates continued strong growth with an economy forecast to continue growing, expanding by about 5% in 2014, and accelerating to around 5¾ % in 2015. This growth momentum is particularly pronounced in the region’s Low-Income Countries, where activity is forecast to accelerate to 6¾-7 percent in 2014-15.

However, the current Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone is exacting a heavy toll, with spillovers to neighboring countries. In addition, external threats to the region's overall positive outlook include global financial conditions and a slowdown in emerging market growth. Other topics covered by the publication are building resilience in fragile states and addressing the infrastructure deficit. More information can be accessed in this IMF newsletter article.