Africa may host the fastest growing economies in the emerging market world. While it’s also one of the most risky, there’s no need to sit on the sidelines. An ever-widening range of exchange traded funds (ETFs) that span the risk spectrum are appearing on the scene.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised Africa’s full-year 2010 economic growth estimates from 4.3% to 4.5%, putting the region at the forefront of the global economic recovery, writes Sam Hopkins for Wealth Daily. [Why Africa ETFs are forecast for growth.]
Still, IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn cautioned that “Africa will continue to face large, persistent and costly shocks. Without a secure standard of living, people might turn to unproductive or even violent activities, possibly leading to instability, a breakdown of democracy, or war.”
The IMF took a different approach in lending money to Africa during the financial crisis. The Fund allowed African countries to expand budget deficits and engage in loose monetary policy. Inflation was curbed with the aid of zero-interest IMF loans that helped support African currencies.