Comprehensive third-quarter data revealed a strengthening recovery of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economy as the region’s heavyweights shook off a midyear malaise. Regional growth picked up to 3.1% year-on-year (Q2: +2.6% year-on-year), improving on earlier estimates (previously reported: +2.9% year-on-year). Aside from broad-based gains in Nigeria and South Africa—by far the region’s largest two economies—and an improved but still dire economic calamity in Angola, upbeat growth was recorded across Ghana, Kenya and a handful of other economies. Available data for the fourth quarter, meanwhile, suggests that upturns in Angola and South Africa might have been short-lived, with FocusEconomics projecting year-end regional growth of 2.8%.
Source: FOCUSECONOMICS