Africa economy grows. Fresh IMF report.

HOW are sub-Saharan African economies doing? It depends on where you look, says the IMF in its latest survey of the continent, which is published today. 

Regional growth will slow to just 1.4% this year, the most sluggish (slow, inactive) pace (the speed of which something moves, or with which something happens or changes) for two decades (a period of ten years) . 

Things look grim (without hope, worrying) in Nigeria, which is mired (to be involved in difficult situation, especially for a long period of time) in recession. But Ivory Coast, a short flight away, is thundering (a continuous loud noise) along at a growth rate of 8%. Similar contrasts are found across the continent. Better to talk of two Africas, says the IMF, moving at different speeds.

The big divider is resources. As commodity (product that can be traded) prices have slumped (to fall suddenly), so too have the fortunes of big exporters. As a group, resource-rich countries will grow on average by 0.3% of GDP, says the IMF. 

Take oil-rich Angola, once the fastest-growing country on the continent: it will not grow at all this year, and is wrestling with inflation of 38%. Commodity-exporting countries saw the value of their exports to China almost halve in 2015. Public debt is rising sharply. Exchange rates are falling. Private consumption has collapsed.

Things look very different in countries which are less resource-dependent. They will grow at 5.5% this year. They have been helped, of course, by falling oil prices, which makes their imports cheaper. But they are stronger in other ways too. In east Africa, for example, a wave of public investment in infrastructure has boosted (to increase) demand.

Governments cannot set commodity prices. Nor can they stop drought (a long period when there is no rain), which has hit agriculture in countries such as Ethiopia and Malawi. But their decisions do make a difference. Nigeria’s disastrous attempt to prop up its exchange rate hurt far more than it helped. Investors in Mozambique were unimpressed when the country revealed hidden debts in April. Growth in South Africa has slowed to almost zero amid political wrangles (an argument) and an energy crisis. Now is the time to get the policies right, urges the IMF.

The numbers should be read with a pinch (a small amount) of salt: GDP figures are only ever a best guess, and Africa’s large informal economy makes the calculation even harder. Talk to traders in Uganda, for instance, and you will hear a story very different to the IMF’s forecast of 5% growth. 

The overall lesson, though, is clear. If you rely on commodities, diversify—or face the consequences. 
That is easier said than done. Look to east African countries, hailed (to call someone in order to attract their attention) for their innovations in mobile banking, who are suddenly now touting (to repeatedly try to persuade people to buy your goods or services)  a fresh source of riches: oil and gas.