Economic Woes Exacerbated by Global Uncertainties
The Lingering Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on economies across the African continent. With lockdowns, travel restrictions, and disruptions to global supply chains, many countries experienced sharp declines in economic activity, rising unemployment, and widening fiscal deficits.
“The pandemic really exposed the fragility of our economic systems,” says Dr. Fatima Denton, director of the UN University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa. “It highlighted our over-reliance on imports, the lack of diversification in our economies, and the need to strengthen domestic production and regional value chains.”
The tourism sector, a major driver of growth in many African nations, was hit particularly hard. According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals to Africa plummeted by 69% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This translated to billions of dollars in lost revenue and the shutdown of countless businesses.
“We saw hotels, airlines, and tour operators go under, and entire communities that depended on tourism were devastated,” says Denton. “It’s going to take years for that industry to fully recover.”
The pandemic also exacerbated existing challenges, such as high levels of poverty, inequality, and informality in African labor markets. With limited social safety nets, many vulnerable populations were pushed deeper into poverty and food insecurity.
Supply Chain Disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine War
As the global economy began to recover from the pandemic, new shocks emerged in the form of supply chain disruptions and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The war in Ukraine has had a huge ripple effect, especially when it comes to food and fuel prices,” says Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, chief economist at the African Export-Import Bank. “Many African countries are highly dependent on imported wheat, fertilizers, and oil, so they’ve been hit hard by the price spikes and shortages.”
The disruption of Ukrainian grain exports, a major source of wheat for the continent, has been particularly devastating. According to the UN’s World Food Programme, the number of people facing acute food insecurity in East Africa has more than doubled, from 26 million before the war to 57 million today.
“We’re seeing hunger and malnutrition rates skyrocket, especially in places like Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia,” says Fofack. “And it’s not just about food – the higher costs of fuel and fertilizers are also making it much harder for farmers to produce and get their crops to market.”
The supply chain issues have also impacted the availability and affordability of critical goods and services, from medicine to construction materials. This, in turn, has hampered efforts to invest in infrastructure and essential public services.
Mounting Debt and Declining Foreign Investment
As governments have scrambled to respond to these crises, many have had to take on new debt, further straining their fiscal positions.
“Debt levels were already high in many African countries before the pandemic, and now they’ve just exploded,” says Dr. Bola Akinteriwa, a senior fellow at the African Center for Economic Transformation. “The combination of increased spending, lower revenues, and higher borrowing costs has left a lot of countries really struggling.”
According to the International Monetary Fund, the average public debt-to-GDP ratio in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach 58.6% in 2023, up from 53.8% in 2019. And for some nations, the debt burden has become unsustainable, forcing them to seek restructuring or default.
“Debt distress is a major concern, and it’s really limiting the ability of governments to invest in critical areas like health, education, and infrastructure,” says Akinteriwa. “It’s a vicious cycle, where the lack of investment further undermines economic growth and development.”
The economic uncertainties have also led to a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) to the continent. After a brief rebound in 2021, FDI flows to Africa are expected to fall again in 2022, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“Investors are becoming more risk-averse, and many are postponing or canceling their plans for Africa,” says Akinteriwa. “This is really concerning, as foreign investment is crucial for creating jobs, transferring technology, and spurring innovation.”
Efforts to Boost Economic Resilience
In the face of these daunting challenges, African leaders and policymakers have been working to implement a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening economic resilience and promoting sustainable development.
One of the most ambitious efforts is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a landmark agreement that aims to create the world’s largest free trade area by connecting 1.3 billion people across 54 countries. By removing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, the AfCFTA is intended to boost intra-African trade, diversify exports, and build more resilient regional value chains.
“The AfCFTA is a game-changer, but it’s also a long-term project that will require a lot of work to fully implement,” says Dr. Wamkele Mene, secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat. “We’re seeing good progress in some areas, like harmonizing customs procedures and developing common rules of origin. But there are still significant challenges, such as infrastructure gaps and lack of trade facilitation measures.”
Alongside the AfCFTA, many countries are also pursuing strategies to diversify their economies, strengthen domestic production, and reduce reliance on imports. This includes investing in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, and renewable energy, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We need to move away from the traditional model of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods,” says Denton. “By building up our own productive capacities, we can create more jobs, generate more revenue, and become less vulnerable to external shocks.”
Regional economic communities, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC), are also playing a crucial role in coordinating policies and pooling resources to address shared challenges.
“Regional integration is essential, as no single country can tackle these issues alone,” says Fofack. “By working together, we can leverage our collective strengths, share best practices, and amplify our voice on the global stage.”
Harnessing the Potential of Africa’s Youth
One of the key assets that Africa has in confronting these economic challenges is its youthful population. With a median age of just 19.7 years, the continent is home to the world’s youngest workforce, which could be a source of dynamism, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“Our young people are incredibly talented and ambitious, but they need the right opportunities and support to thrive,” says Akinteriwa. “Investing in education, skills development, and job creation is crucial to unleashing the potential of Africa’s youth.”
Across the continent, governments, civil society organizations, and private sector actors are working to create more pathways for young Africans to participate in the economy. This includes initiatives like entrepreneurship training, access to finance, and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
“We’re seeing a real explosion of youth-led startups and social enterprises, especially in areas like renewable energy, fintech, and agritech,” says Denton. “But we need to do more to connect these innovators with the resources and networks they need to scale up and have a bigger impact.”
Mobilizing Climate Finance and Building Resilience
As African countries grapple with the economic fallout from global crises, they are also facing the mounting challenges posed by climate change. From droughts and floods to rising sea levels and desertification, the continent is on the frontlines of the climate emergency, with devastating consequences for livelihoods, food security, and infrastructure.
“Climate change is a major threat multiplier, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and inequalities,” says Fofack. “It’s essential that we mobilize significant resources to support climate adaptation and mitigation efforts across the continent.”
There have been some promising developments on this front, such as the launch of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, a $25 billion initiative led by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation. The program aims to help African countries scale up climate-smart agriculture, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and develop early warning systems for extreme weather events.
“Access to climate finance has been a major stumbling block for many African countries, as the application processes are often complex and the funding is concentrated in a few countries,” says Denton. “We need to see a much more equitable and streamlined flow of resources to support the diverse needs and priorities across the continent.”
Beyond climate finance, there is also a growing focus on building economic resilience through sustainable practices and the circular economy. This includes initiatives to promote renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the reuse and recycling of materials.