Week 23 Jan 2020
The new year 2020 marks the beginning of a promising decade for Africa. Through at least the first half of the decade, economic growth across Africa will continue to outperform that of other regions, with the continent continuing to be home to seven of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies. Collective action among African and global policymakers to improve the livelihoods of all under the blueprint of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 is representative of the shared energy and excitement around Africa’s potential.
Week 16 Jan 2020
In a competitive market, the constant “churning” of firms into and out of business boosts productivity, economic growth, and net job creation. Without competitive markets, however, firm exit and the failures of firm entry could be due to obstacles other than competition and innovation. In African countries, incumbent firms and potential entrants face immense obstacles: a difficult political environment, burdensome business regulations, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to finance.