|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |
|
Sub-Saharan Africa Learning What Works
|
| Guest post by: International Monetary Fund |
Article Overview: Africa is the world's poorest continent. But for the first time in a generation—amid all the bad news—there is hope for change. An increasing number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are showing signs of economic progress, reflecting the implementation of better economic policies and structural reforms.
![]() |
Free Download - References: Stock Market Development in Sub-Saharan Africa By International Monetary Fund |
Sub-Saharan Africa Learning What Works
Africa is the world's poorest continent. But for the first time in a generation—amid all the bad news—there is hope for change. An increasing number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are showing signs of economic progress, reflecting the implementation of better economic policies and structural reforms. These countries have successfully cut domestic and external financial imbalances, enhancing economic efficiency. They have given greater priority to public spending on health care, education, and other basic social services. In addition, there has been a growing movement toward more open and participatory forms of government that encourage cooperation between the state and civil society.
Nonetheless, the economic and social situation in sub-Saharan Africa remains fragile and vulnerable to domestic and external shocks, and the region has a long way to go to make up for the ground lost over the past two decades. Despite some upturn in economic growth rates, poverty is still widespread and in many parts of the continent extremely acute. Investment remains subdued, limiting efforts to diversify economic structures and boost growth. Furthermore, a number of countries have only recently emerged from civil wars that have severely set back their development efforts while, sadly, new armed conflicts have erupted in other parts of the continent. These conflicts and other adverse factors, notably poor weather conditions and a deterioration in the terms of trade, have led to some loss in economic momentum in the region over the past two years.
Sub-Saharan African countries therefore face major challenges: to raise growth and reduce poverty, and to integrate themselves into the world economy. Economic growth rates are still not high enough to make a real dent in the pervasive poverty and enable these countries to catch up with other developing nations. What is needed is a sustained and substantial increase in real per capita GDP growth rates in these countries, coupled with significant improvements in social conditions.
This pamphlet presents the results of an empirical analysis of the factors affecting economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, using data for the period 1981–97 and a sample of 32 countries. The empirical work involved the estimation of a growth equation to identify the key determinants of per capita real GDP growth, including economic variables that reflect the influence of economic policy changes as well as other explanatory factors. On the basis of this analysis and a review of the evidence of economic recovery during 1995–97, using a much larger sample of countries, the pamphlet attempts to determine which policies appear to have been the most effective in terms of increasing economic growth and suggests the key elements of a policy framework that could promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.
Promoting Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learning What Works
Anupam Basu, Evangelos A. Calamitsis, Dhaneshwar Ghura
©2000 International Monetary Fund
August 2000
Article Tags: civil wars, countries in sub saharan africa, economic efficiency, economic growth rates, economic momentum, economic progress, economic structures, external shocks, forms of government, gdp growth rates, health care education, number of countries, per capita gdp, pervasive poverty, poor weather conditions, poorest continent, public spending, social situation, sub saharan africa, world economy
|
About the Author: International Monetary Fund RSS for International's articles - Visit International's website The IMF is an international organization of 185 member countries. It was established to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment. Since the IMF was established its purposes have remained unchanged but its operations—which involve surveillance, financial assistance, and technical assistance—have developed to meet the changing needs of its member countries in an evolving world economy. Click here to visit International's website Many Countries Fall Short Introduction Stock Market Development in SubSaharan Africa VI A Macroeconomic Stability WHAT DETERMINES STOCK MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA VI B Banking Sector Development WHAT DETERMINES STOCK MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA Fiscal Policy for a Sustainable Environment |
Related Forum Posts
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
9 Steps to Improve Performance
4 Steps To Hypnotize Your Business Prospects
Four Secrets to Earning Income as an Author
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.



