Friday, April 15, 2016

Africa: Overcoming the Emerging Market Downturn

The Atlantic Council published in April 2016 a report titled "Embracing Impact: How Africa Can Overcome the Emerging Market Downturn" by J. Peter Pham and Aubrey Hruby.

The authors conclude that African countries that depend on one or two commodities for economic growth have already felt the negative impact of the economic downturn in China, Russia, and Brazil.  African economies that have diversified their economies will perform better than those that have  not. 

Some countries, including Morocco, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and several in East Africa, will weather the downturn better than their neighbors and will use current economic conditions as an opportunity to prepare effectively for future price shocks.