INTO AFRICA February 2019 Edition – Eye on Africa’s Economy in 2019

Wish you a prosperous year 2019 and welcome to the February 2019 edition of the INTO AFRICA – the publication with fresh insight into Africa’s emerging markets. This edition provides insight and foresight into African economies from economists and analysts, hence the edition titled: Eye on Africa’s Economy in 2019.

The African region faced a tougher external environment in 2018 due to moderating activity and heightened risks clouding global economic prospects. International trade and investment have softened, trade tensions remain elevated, and some large emerging market and developing economies have experienced substantial financial market pressures. The region growth prospects continue upward trajectory – predicated on diminished policy uncertainty and improved investment in large economies together with continued robust growth in non-resource intensive countries. However, domestic political considerations could undermine the commitments needed to rein in fiscal deficits or implement structural reforms, especially where public debt levels are high and rising. The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) African Economic Outlook 2019, stated that gross domestic product reached an estimated 3.5 percent in 2018, about the same as in 2017 and up from 2.1 percent in 2016. It predicted Africa’s GDP growth to accelerate to 4.0 percent in 2019 and 4.1 percent in 2020. However, AfDB hinted that growth is not fast enough to address persistent fiscal and current account deficits and unsustainable debt. Indeed, countries must move to a higher growth path and increase the efficiency of growth in generating decent jobs.

PIETER DU PREEZ (Senior Economist, NKC African Economics South Africa) opens the edition with a stimulating write-up titled “Africa: Emerging risks and new opportunities in 2019”, where he examines some of the risks and opportunities facing countries on the continent in the short to medium term.

PLEASE CLICK TO DOWNLOAD – INTO AFRICA PUBLICATION: FEBRUARY 2019 EDITION.