Financial Transparency Coalition

This past year, Africa and the rest of the world witnessed many significant events that have created consequential challenges for the future of Africa and the global economy. Most notably, these included the economic slowdown in Europe and the United States, the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa, instability and unrest in a number of Sub-Saharan African countries, and severe drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. While 2011 has certainly proven to be difficult for Africa and other regions, there were also developments that have helped many African countries manage the negative impacts of these challenges. These developments included: high commodity prices, which helped boost trade returns in Africa’s commodity-rich countries; economic and governance reforms in several African states, which helped strengthen democratic rights and improve livelihoods; and a deepening of regional integration efforts, which helped stimulate growth across the continent.

Looking at 2012, experts from the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) and colleagues from think tanks based in the region have come together to produce this year’s issue of Foresight Africa, where they outline the top priorities for the continent for 2012 and beyond. AGI scholars assess what they see as the major challenges for Africa in the coming year and provide policy recommendations on how to manage these challenges and leverage opportunities to catalyze and reignite growth in 2012. Similarly, AGI and its partner think tanks identify country-specific challenges in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya.