CIUsv

Africa’s rise is realInflation is in single digits…and isforecasted to keep its downwardtrendThe burden of external debthas declinedInflation (%), average consumer pricesExternal debt (% of GDP)60607070505060604040505030304030403020202020101010100001980 1980 2007 2007 2019 201919801980 2013 20130Source: IMFAt the same time, Africa’s trade with the rest of the world has grown over fourfold since 2000 andhas been another key driver of sustained economic growth. China has been at the forefront of thisgrowth, and is now the continent’s single largest trading partner (although the EU remains thelargest regional trading partner). Significantly, although intra-African trade remains relatively low, ithas grown at a healthy rate of 11% in the period since 1980.8