7
Chapter
Policy Recommendations and Conclusions

Africa’s recent strong economic growth has not been matched by economic and social transformation, keeping the continent commodity dependent and reliant on the informal sector for jobs, with high inequality and poverty (ERA, 2014). Volatility in the prices of natural-resource and agricultural commodities has put at risk the economic and fiscal plans of many resource-dependent governments. Given the slowdown in the global economy over the past year and heightened concerns about financial stability, Africa’s near-term economic growth is likely to be modest relative to its social development needs. The regions are also hit by different destabilizing factors, such as the severe dry spell in East and Southern Africa and security concerns (linked to political instability) in the Maghreb, Sahel, Horn of Africa and Central Africa.

Thus, turbulence in the global economy, worries about financial instability and Africa’s vulnerability to these shocks give cause for a strategic rethinking of Africa’s growth and broader development strategy.