The severity of the impact of coronavirus on China’s growth prospects will hold major implications for Africa given the continent’s close ties to the Asian giant. The broader impact will also be exacerbated if efforts to contain the outbreak prove inadequate, thus extending both the reach and duration of the shock. This is according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ (ICAEW) latest report, Economic Update: Africa Q1 2020. The accountancy body provides GDP growth forecasts for various regions, including East Africa which is set to grow by 6%, West and Central Africa at 3.1%, Franc Zone at 4.9%, and Southern Africa at 1.3%. The report, commissioned by ICAEW and produced by Oxford Economics, underscores the role of economic diversity in weathering the storm of an impending global recession.
East Africa remains the development hotspot of the continent, with growth projected to be at by 6 per cent in 2020.. Although regional growth is now clearly decelerating, East Africa still boasts some of the fastest growing economies globally. Rwanda, for instance, recorded growth of 10.9% year-on-year during 2019 Q1-Q3, with public investment stimulating industry and rising consumption supporting the blossoming services sector.
Although political and security risks remain elevated in that region, North Africa’s growth is projected to pick up more strongly, rising from 3.1% in 2019 to 3.7% in 2020. The Egyptian economy continues to expand at an impressive pace, and growth in Morocco and Tunisia is projected to rebound in 2020 following lacklustre agricultural performances in both countries last year. Tunisia, in particular, faced significant challenges, with growth estimated at a mere 1.3% in 2019. Aside from a marked slowdown in agricultural growth, frequent protests and weaker external demand contributed to a slump in industrial activity. This was, however, partly offset by a strong rebound in tourist arrivals.
The full Economic Insight: Africa report can be found here:
https://www.icaew.com/
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