Link To Article: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00081989.html
In this article the economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa is discussed as both the Covid- 19 pandemic and the recent War between Russia and Ukraine have had devastating impacts on the region. Even now, the continent is still recovering from ongoing effects of the pandemic and now the war between Ukraine and Russia adds on to that baggage for the worse. As of right now it is reported the biggest concern on the nation is the rising gas and food prices. As Africa relies on some food imports by the two countries and specifically global wheat, sunflower, and oil crude prices have soared to extremely high prices at a time when the continent is already facing high prices and supply chain shortages as a result of the pandemic.
I think its important to take into account that both Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of wheat to Africa and on top of that wheat consumption in Africa is projected to reach 76.5 million tons by 2025, of which 48.3 million tons or 63.4 percent is projected to be imported outside of the Continent. With this in mind itis important to note how certain sanctions on Russian exports specifically impact countries unrelated to the war due to the closure of vital port operations within the black sea. Also the fact that Russia is currently the worlds third largest oil producer and continuing sanctions will lead to increased gas prices and food prices.
This article relates to themes of the importance of the ability for a country to self provide and the positive impacts such ability my have. For example if a country can self provide for more goods it will depend less on exports to thrive and wars and pandemics for example will have less of a dent to the quality of life than a country who has major difficulties producing necessary goods for survival. These themes in class relate to the article as its important for Africa to see the current geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to reduce its reliance on food imports from outside the Continent. Its important that Africa needs to take advantage of their 60 per cent global share of arable land to grow more food for domestic consumption and export to the global market.