African Economic Outlook [PDF]

The African Development Bank has published the 2019 African Economic Outlook. The theme for this year’s report is “Integration for Africa’s Economic Prosperity.” The annual report highlights economic prospects and projections for the continent as a whole and for each of the 54 countries. It offers short- and medium-term forecasts on the main socio-economic factors, while at the same time examining the challenges and progress.

African economies have been resilient and gaining momentum. Real output growth is estimated to have increased 3.6 percent in 2017 and to accelerate to 4.1 percent in 2018 and 2019. Overall, the recovery of growth has been faster than envisaged, especially among non-resource–intensive economies.

The world economy is also in better shape, with faster growth and buoyant capital markets. And with more than $100 trillion in assets managed by institutional investors and commercial banks globally and searching for good returns, African countries have an array of options, beyond domestic resources and foreign aid, to support their investments.

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New work by the Bank reveals that Africa’s infrastructure requirements run to $130–170 billion a year. That’s far higher than the long-accepted figure of $93 billion a year. But African countries do not need to solve all their infrastructure problems before they can sustain inclusive growth. They should focus on how best to use their scarce infrastructure budgets to achieve the highest economic and social returns.

The report is the result of the work and analysis of the Bank’s economic experts. It is a tool for policymakers, academics, investors, development and financial industry professionals and the press and is widely used to inform policy dialogue and enhance operational efficiency of institutions.

Yes, if you are in the strategy or policy domain, this is a report for you.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states

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