Ukraine war fallout could fuel unrest in Africa - IMF

By Maya Hayakawa

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of a looming food crisis that may spark social unrest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The fund has revised its growth projection for the continent downwards to 3.8% from the initial 4.5%.

In its latest economic outlook, the IMF says the war in Ukraine has caused "a sharp increase in energy and food prices, that could undermine food security in the region, raise poverty rates, increase income inequality and possibly lead to social unrest".

Its report says the war has stalled growth momentum seen in the second half of 2021 as countries continue to battle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, deteriorating security in several countries and climate-related shocks.

The IMF suggests that sustainable growth will require:

• economic diversification for commodity-exporting countries

• the boosting of private sector growth through regional trade integration

• the addressing of climate-change challenges.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: AFP