Africa escaped the worst-case scenario last year.
The wave of Covid was not as devastating as on other continents and the recession, the first in 25 years, was less severe than expected.
According to the World Bank, GDP fell 2% in 2020 - against an initial forecast last spring of -2% to -5%.
A resumption of activity at the end of the year, thanks to agricultural production and the recovery in commodity prices, limited the damage.
"Countries have succeeded in containing the epidemic by taking the right measures"
, comments Albert G. Zeufack, chief economist for Africa.
Read also:
Covid-19: why Africa is resisting better than expected
The Cameroonian expert, who anticipates a recovery from 2.3% to 3.4% this year, however displays
“cautious optimism”
, worrying about an upsurge in contamination with the more deadly South African variant.
The current rate of infections is 40% higher than that of the first wave.
The recovery will depend on the measures taken and the support of international trade, he said.
This mean
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