Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to show robust 5.8 percent growth this year, with domestic demand play­ing a key role, but business must do more to promote a more inclusive society, the African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Monday.

“We are looking at growth of around 5.8 percent this year in sub-Saharan Africa, exclud­ing South Africa it would be 6.2 percent”, AfDB president Donald Kaberuka told Reuters in an interview on the side­lines of a business briefing.

Growth prospects for the region were “slightly higher” than 2012, Kaberuka added.

The World Bank forecasts growth of 4.9 percent this year for sub-Saharan Africa, with South African growth seen at 2.7 percent.

Growth in Africa has been strong in the past few years, compared with ane­mic growth in much of the developed world. The World Bank sees global growth at 2.4 percent this year, with high income countries expected to see a rise of only 1.3 percent.

Nigeria's leading finance and market intelligence news report. Also home to expert opinion and commentary on politics, sports, lifestyle, and more

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date

Open In Whatsapp