Sub-Saharan Africa is struggling with lower commodity prices, slower Chinese growth, and less favorable financing conditions, but is still expected to grow faster than the world average until 2020. While development levels remain low, with nearly half the population living on under $1.25 per day, economic growth and political stability have improved even if institutions remain weak. Realizing the region's potential will require strengthening institutions and developing food and agriculture value chains.

1. Sub-Saharan Africa: The long road up Mount Progress
Sub-Saharan Africa is struggling with lower commodity prices, China’s slower growth, and less favorable
financing conditions. Coming from a very low base, Sub-Saharan Africa is helped on the long road to
prosperity by still fast economic growth and improved – even if fragile - political stability. The region
holds significant potential, but realizing this potential requires better institutions.
Food & agri value chain
development needed
• Enabling environment
depends on institutional
quality
Sub-Saharan Africa still growing fast
• Expected GDP growth 2015-2020:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 4%
- World: 3%
Development level still low
• GDP per capita is far below world
average
• 47% of the population lives on less
than USD 1.25 per day
• Inequality is still high
High population growth
• Puts strain on resources
Weak institutions
• Low institutional quality
• High corruption
• Stability: improved, but
vulnerable
Accountability
Stability
Corruption
0%
0
10
20
30
40
2%
4%
6%
Law Regulations
Global average
GDP growth
(’03-’11)
Jan‘11
Jan‘12
Jan‘13
Jan‘14
Jan‘15
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Non-OECD OECD
GDP growth
(’12-’14)
Doing Business
Government
Regional score Sub-Saharan Africa
Advanced Economies
Sub-Saharan Africa
GDP per capita (USD, 2014)
x 1.000
0
40
80
120
Reuters Commodity Price Index
S&P Commodity Price Index
Challenging external
environment
• Commodity prices
• Financing conditions
• China demand