Competitiveness: Catching The Next Wave

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sub-Saharan Africa is primed for an era of sustainable growth. As other markets across Latin America and Asia face short-term challenges and many advanced economies decelerate, the outlook remains encouraging for sub-Saharan Africa to gather speed and create greater opportunities for its rapidly growing population.

The region already boasts a strong base in mining, agriculture, and oil production. A growing pool of young and well-educated people is poised to enter the workforce. Investments in infrastructure and the wider adoption of new technologies—such as mobile telephony and Internet services—have the potential to accelerate the growth of a consumer- and service-led economy, as well as cutting-edge industry.