Finance ministers and IMF officials see a route out of the post-pandemic gloom but average per capita incomes are flatlining or shrinking, Africa s economies may be at a turning point should the right policy choices be made according to the IMF s African Department Director Abebe Selassie. The IMF and the African Development Bank (AfDB) both forecast GDP growth at 3.8% in Africa this year although the two institutions define the states making up Africa differently. Whichever formula is used, average incomes on the continent are barely growing in per capita terms (see accompanying graphs).
Economists are worried that high yields on new borrowing by developing countries are unsustainable
, Several African states may have returned to the Eurobond market in recent months, but a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that the gap in borrowing costs between developing countries and wealthy states continues to widen.
The new political leaders in Dakar are promising jobs, growth and radical reform for the region s monetary system, Plans to rename the CFA franc, the next stage of regional currency reform, were derailed at the last minute by the July 2023 military coup that deposed Niger s President Mohamed Bazoum, Africa Confidential has learned.
, President Faure Gnassingbé is seeking to strengthen his government s ties to the United States and secure US investment under two recent laws. This coincides with a contentious bid by Faure to change the presidential constitution to a parliamentary one, creating an executive prime minister position. Oppositionists believe Gnassingbé wants to take that post, as the term limits on his presidency would expire after next year s elections. They are calling for mass protests in the week ending 13 April after Gnassingbé s party votes to postpone legislative elections due on 20 April.
Determined to avoid lengthy finance talks, the President gambles he can fix the economy before the next elections, Will President William Ruto s strategy – austerity now, pre-election bonanza later – pay off as Kenyans face another year of spending cuts and higher taxes? Ruto calculates that he will be able to show a turnaround in growth, jobs and investment well before general elections in 2027.