World Bank says growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 will surge up to 4.6%. Quite impressive considering that the region just experienced a year marked by some external shocks (falling prices for raw materials and the raising of US dollar) and internal challenges linked to insecurity and infrastructure.

The institution in its forecasts, said CFA-users should record a better progression with an expected growth to 5.7%, or 6% even, in 2017. However, the leading economies in the region namely Nigeria, South Africa and Angola will exhibit the most moderate growth respectively: 4.6%, 1.4% and 3.3%.

All these positive forecasts depend on a number of risks unaccounted for by the Bretton wood institution. These mainly include the China-sub Saharan Africa economic relationship threatened by the current challenges that China faces, and the raising US dollar which resulted from the rate increase by Federal Reserve.

Also, a global political risk floats as elections are to be held in Niger, Mali, Zambia, Ghana, DR Congo, Uganda, Central African Republic and Benin. In addition to this, there is the ongoing fight against terrorism taking place in Nigeria, Mali, Somalia or Kenya.

Idriss Linge