African Impact

We are a week away from the conference and and the discussion about the impact of the financial crisis on Africa is gaining momentum. Africa has unfortunately not received much global attention in recent months but that is hopefully going to change this week. The IMF is releasing an important paper on Tuesday, March 3 on the impact of the financial crisis on low-income countries. Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will deliver a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., which will be followed by a panel discussion on the report's main findings. The MD will also be doing a video press conference with African journalists via video conference, with a view to ensuring that Africa hears directly from the IMF. The conference will be a major opportunity for ensuring that African views and perspectives on the current crisis receive due global attention.
 
Meanwhile, I would recommend that you read an interesting interview on this website with one of the African private sector participants. Naushad Merali of Kenya's Sameer Group speaks out on a number of issues, including the need for African governments to create an enabling investment environment, create the right macroeconomic conditions to boost economic growth, and strengthen governance.