Over the past 10 years growth in Africa has surpassed that of East Asia. Data suggest parts of the continent are now experiencing fast growth, thanks to their resources and increasing political stability and ‘has steadily increased levels of peacefulness since 2007’. The World Bank reports the economy of Sub-Saharan African countries grew at rates that match or surpass global rates.
Many African countries are part of trade blocs and multilateral organisations some of which are:
- African Union (AU)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
- Southern African Customs Union (SACU)