Fiscal positions largely going from worse to bad

Fiscal positions across Sub-Saharan Africa have been a persistent source of concern since the onset of the pandemic – and in some cases, even before. And the commodity price moves resulting from the war in Ukraine will be unfavourable for public finances in most countries. The cost of subsidising fuel, fertiliser or food products is set to rise sharply. On top of this, recent floods in South Africa and a severe drought in East Africa will probably prompt a fiscal response as the authorities step in to support relief and reconstruction efforts. And we think that policymakers will loosen the fiscal purse strings ahead of upcoming elections in Kenya and Angola. The bottom line is that sovereign balance sheets in the region are unlikely to improve as quickly as many hope for.