Socioeconomic Profile of West Africa

Abstract

The compilation of a report on the economic and social profile of West Africa is a regular activity of the Subregional Office for West Africa of the Economic Commission for Africa. It seeks to assess the economic and social performance of the subregion and make recommendations aimed at promoting its sustainable development and structural transformation, and deepening its integration. Specifically, this profile gives an overview of the international economic environment and the current economic and social situation of the subregion, presents the outlook for 2020 and 2021, and on that basis makes recommendations for the subregion. This report analyses the socioeconomic situation of the West African subregion in 2019, the forecast for 2020 and the outlook for 2021, with a view to informing the immediate and longer-term actions of member States. In so doing, it analyses the impact of the pandemic on the socioeconomic sectors of the subregion and long-lasting structural issues. These include the potentialities for: high rates of mortality, poverty and inequality; high rates of unemployment and impact on vulnerable jobs; low rates of access to education and health services; diversified economic structures; and the risk of a debt crisis and insecurity issues. The report also defines the appropriate mix of measures and actions to respond to the pandemic at the national and subregional levels and short, medium and long term policy measures to mitigate the challenges and enhance sustainable economic development in West Africa.