African economies have been far from sluggish in the past few years. Five of them were among the world’s 10 fastest growing countries between 2005 and 2009, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). And they seem unlikely to slow down soon. Sub-Saharan Africa’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase about 6% both this year and in 2012.
Yet economists believe that the continent’s development is being hindered by its fragmentation. Despite outsiders often portraying Africa as a homogeneous entity – sometimes even calling it a ‘country’ – it is anything but. It comprises 54 countries, more than any other region. South America has just 12, while Asia (depending on which are included) has about 30.
