Positive Trends in Africa

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Positive Trends in Africa

There is a huge opportunity in Africa with enormous global demand for commodities and the private sector can thrive in reformed economies.

By Hans Timmer

Published on Dec 14, 2011

Is there a positive economic story that is going unnoticed amid the crisis?

Hans Timmer

Africa. The continent can be the surprise of the next twenty years. Africa is on the mend and in many countries there have been dramatic changes in policies. This goes largely unnoticed because the problems are so huge.

But the consistent high growth rates over the last ten years show that countries have undertaken significant reforms. Africa will be able to catch up by creating the right environments. There is a huge opportunity in Africa with enormous global demand for commodities and the private sector can thrive in reformed economies.

————————
Hans Timmer is the director of the World Bank's development prospects group.

About the Author

Hans Timmer

Economy Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa North America

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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