This chapter explores the economic performance and prospects of the African continent and  its regions and countries. It also examines the main driving forces of this development and  discusses the chances and risks of a sustained recovery. The main finding is that Africa´s growth accelerated in 2010 and the recovery will continue, albeit at a moderate pace. The continent benefits from further growth of world trade and high commodity prices and from a broadening of the recovery. At the same time, high food and oil prices are restraining the income of African consumers. In several countries, notably in north Africa and Côte d´Ivoire, the recent political upheavals and related uncertainty are weighing on the growth prospects for 2011.