The international environment facing Africa has turned decisively negative. GDP in the OECD countries is expected to contract by 4.3 per cent in 2009 and to be virtually flat in 2010. Growth in emerging economies is also expected to slow dramatically.Not surprisingly, the outlook for Africa has been adversely affected by the global recession. Economic growth in Africa is expected to be only 2.8 per cent in 2009, less than half of the 5.7 per cent estimated for 2008.

  • International Environment

    World GDP grew at 2.2 per cent in 2008, down from 3.8 per cent in 2007, with growth in OECD countries substantially slower than growth elsewhere.

  • Growth of Aid to Africa

    Net ODA to Africa amounted to USD 38.7 billion in 2007, representing 37 per cent of total aid. This corresponds to a fall of 18 per cent in real terms, mostly due to the end of exceptional debt relief operations.

  • Macroeconomic Performances in Africa

    In 2008 GDP growth in Africa was 5.7 per cent; it was 6.1 per cent in 2007. This was, thus, the fifth consecutive year when growth exceeded 5.5 per cent. However, the impact of the global economic crisis is expected to slash growth rates to 2.8 per cent in 2009, less than half of the average growth rate achieved during the past five years.

  • The Millennium Development Goals: Progress Report

    Just six years from the deadline set by the international community for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), world reports indicate that with the exception of North Africa, none of the Sub-Saharan African countries is currently on track to attain all of the goals by 2015.

  • Governance and Political Issues

    On the whole, political and social stabilisation has been generally progressing on the continent. However, the administrative capacity of government remains weak, impeding the consolidation of democratic institutions (especially in fragile states); the judicial system still receives little political priority.