Christian Yoka, Director of AFD's Africa Department, analyses the major economic challenges facing the continent, including the financing gap, the impact of global crises, the growing role of digital technology, Russia and China.
At a time when the whole world is facing an unprecedented economic crisis, with “a third of the world economy in recession by 2023”, as Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), pointed out in January, the African continent, which is extremely vulnerable to external shocks, has seen its growth slow significantly.
In the face of growing needs, AFD is maintaining and even strengthening its commitment to contributing to economic, social and environmental progress in Africa. As Christian Yoka, Director of AFD's Africa Department, points out: ‘Whatever the international situation, Africa remains AFD's priority. Moreover, by 2023, projects devoted to the continent will account for more than 40% of our activities, with over 4 billion in commitments. In an interview with Jeune Afrique, the fund's departmental director takes stock of the past year and outlines future developments on the continent.
Credit: jeuneafrique