The East African economy has grown by 5.8 per cent in 2011, underpinned
by strong economic expansion of three countries namely Tanzania, Ethiopia and
Uganda.
African Progress Report 2012 attributes the growth to a sustained
public investment in infrastructure in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Investment in
mining and energy in Tanzania and Uganda respectively boosted the economies.
The report issued by The Chair
of Africa Progress Panel, Mr Kofi Annan, at the just ended 22nd World Economic
Forum (WEF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said the continent’s outlook was bright.
“Times are uncertain.
But what is increasingly evident is that Africa is on its way to
becoming a preferred investment destinations,” Mr Annan said in the report. The
report shows that East Africa was the fastest growing region followed by West
Africa which grew by 5.6 per cent pulled down by Ivory Coast and Nigeria
economic contraction following postelection violence and low oil production
respectively.
“Central Africa’s economic activities remained robust although average
GDP growth declined from 5.2 in 2010 to 4.8 per cent in 2011,” the report,
entitled “Jobs, Justice and Equity: Seizing Opportunities in Times of Global
Change’,” said.
In Southern Africa, output expanded by 3.8 per cent last year, up from
3.5 per cent with considerable variations, pushed up mainly by GDP growth of 6
per cent for Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique. The said growth reflected rising
mining output and global demand for minerals. The report indicates “it is just
not the headline numbers that are impressive. GDP per capita is also rising.
Growth is more diversified, more resilient - and some countries were
less dependent on exports of primary commodities.” The report also shows that
the continent has started to turn the corner on reducing poverty. It shows that
between 1998 and 2008 Africans living on less than a 1.25 US dollar fell from
58 per cent to 48 per cent. “Other social indicators have also improved.
Compared with a decade ago, Africa’s children are less likely to die
before their fifth birthday, women are likely to die from complications of
pregnancy or in childbirth and more children are getting into school,” the
report indicates.
Source: The Daily News,dailynews.co.tz , reported by Abduel Elinaza
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