AFP, Johannesburg :
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa fell last year to its lowest level in 15 years due to the slump in commodity prices and severe drought, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday.
The IMF said growth across the region was 3.5 percent in 2015 and was predicted to fall to 3.0 percent in 2016 — below the six percent average over the last decade and only just above population growth.
“The steep decline in commodity prices and tighter financing conditions have put many large economies under severe strain,” it said, calling for governments to promote long-term growth over short-term policies.
Oil exporters Nigeria and Angola were among the worst hit, along with Ghana, South Africa and Zambia.
“A severe drought in several southern and eastern African countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, is putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity,” the report added.
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa fell last year to its lowest level in 15 years due to the slump in commodity prices and severe drought, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday.
The IMF said growth across the region was 3.5 percent in 2015 and was predicted to fall to 3.0 percent in 2016 — below the six percent average over the last decade and only just above population growth.
“The steep decline in commodity prices and tighter financing conditions have put many large economies under severe strain,” it said, calling for governments to promote long-term growth over short-term policies.
Oil exporters Nigeria and Angola were among the worst hit, along with Ghana, South Africa and Zambia.
“A severe drought in several southern and eastern African countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, is putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity,” the report added.
