The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

On February 13, 2009, the Brookings Global Economy and Development program hosted a luncheon to introduce Dr. Ernest Aryeetey, Director of the new Africa Growth Initiative, and to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on Africa. The Africa Growth Initiative was launched in the fall of 2008 with specific goals of promoting growth and employment in Africa through collaboration with the African policy community. Dr. Aryeetey spoke about how African governments are dealing with the current crisis and the prospects for growth on the continent in light of setbacks.

Dr. Aryeetey was also joined by a set of distinguished panelists who further commented on the particular difficulties that African economies are now facing and ways in which African policymakers and the international community can mitigate the damage. Following remarks, the panelists joined the roundtable participants in additional discussion.