Africa’s Heavyweight Economies Brace for a Stormy 2023

Most African economies have been staring into an economic abyss, besieged by a plethora of daunting challenges that have left many teetering on the edge of a precipice. A glance into Africa’s economic crystal ball for 2023 depicts a mixed bag of fortunes, with some economies set to flourish like a green bay tree, some will find themselves staring down the barrel of a recession whilst others will remain in the doldrums. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 3.7 percent in 2023.  Slowing global growth, higher external borrowing costs and weaker domestic currencies, are now the dominant factors weighing on Africa’s economies next year. In reiteration, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) predicts that African economies will face turbulent times in 2023, as a range of internal and external shocks undermine growth prospects and threaten stability, but most of countries will weather the storm and continue to grow. Moreover, real GDP growth rates will vary considerably across the continent, and some states will stagnate and teeter on the edge of recession. Ostensibly, the devil has darkened Africa, if the mounting string of challenges continue. From adverse weather conditions, food insecurity, political