AS per the African Economic Outlook 2011 launched here in Lisbon, African countries should develop closer cross-border ties in dealing with traditional and emerging partners so they can boost sustainable and inclusive growth.

Africa's economies have weathered the global crisis relatively well and have rebounded in 2010. Recent political events in North Africa and high food and fuel prices are likely to slow the continent’s growth down to 3.7 percent in 2011. During this year, sub-Saharan Africa will grow faster than North Africa. The new report predicts a rebound to 5.8 percent in 2012.

Co-authored by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the OECD Development Centre, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the report emphasises that governments’ efforts need to include measures to create jobs, invest in basic social services and promote gender equality.

Africa is becoming more integrated in the world economy and its partnerships are diversifying, revealing unprecedented economic opportunities. In 2009, China surpassed the US and became Africa’s main trading partner, while the share conducted by Africa with emerging partners has grown from approximately 23 percent to 39 percent in the last ten years. Africa’s top five emerging trade partners are now China (38 percent), India (14 percent), Korea (7.2 percent), Brazil (7.1 percent), and Turkey (6.5 percent).