Africa Economic News Update

Filed in: fdi, economic growth, africa, rwanda

Written by Wesley Cate on June 3, 2015

Analysts Raise Expectations for Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, Though Commodity Prices Pose Threat for Future, International Business Times 

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise this year and reach 5.4 percent in 2016, far outpacing the global 3.8 percent. Taken as a whole, the continent of Africa is the fastest growing region of the world thanks to economic reforms and increased political stability, the article points out. Rwanda is briefly spotlighted as a high-growth case.

Foreign Direct Investment in Africa Surges, Financial Times

“Africa is the world’s fastest growing region for foreign direct investment,” the Financial Times article begins. Sub-Saharan Africa saw its investment levels rise from $42 billion to $61 billion. Most of the investments are being channeled to oil and gas with real estate and communications following behind. The top countries attracting FDI in Africa are South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt and Mozambique.

Burundi Protests Raise Fears for East Africa’s Economy, the BBC

The instability in Burundi is raising concerns about regional development. The East African Community—comprised of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—is working on unlocking growth in the region by creating a common market and reducing trade barriers. But the political instability in Burundi threatens both Burundi’s economic stability as well as regional interests.