Real GDP growth in West African countries is projected to slow to 4.2 per cent in 2009, from 5.4 per cent in 2008 and 2007, before strengthening to 4.6 per cent in 2010.
Projections for 2009 indicate a slowdown in Nigeria's growth rate to 4 per cent, as a result of the OPEC quota on oil production and the declining investment.
According to a statement from the African Development Bank, most of the other countries in the region are also expected to experience slower growth in public and private investment associated with lower commodity prices and remittances.
Liberia and Sierra Leone, however, are expected to continue to enjoy high growth rates as output recovers after years of conflict.
Economic growth in Southern Africa registered at 5.2 per cent in 2008, down from 7 per cent in 2007. It is expected to slow dramatically in 2009 to 0.2 per cent before recovering to 4.6 per cent in 2010.
In South Africa, growth is expected to fall to 1.1 per cent due to the impact of the global economic crisis on demand for its mineral exports compounded by a contraction in private consumption and investment.
In Angola, the economy is expected to contract by 7.2 per cent in 2009 on the assumption that the reduction in quotas by OPEC countries will translate into a reduction of oil production.
In 2008, Madagascar and Malawi benefited from strong growth in agriculture in both countries, and large investments in the mineral sector in the former.
Average GDP growth in North Africa is expected to improve slightly from 5.3 per cent in 2007 to 5.8 per cent in 2008. It is then expected to slow significantly in 2009, to 3.3 per cent before increasing to 4.1 per cent in 2010.
All North African countries will grow more slowly in 2009, due to cutbacks in oil production and tourism receipts. Morocco and Tunisia have more diversified production and exports that make these countries less vulnerable to the reduction in demand resulting from the crisis, but growth will slow there as well.
In 2008, average GDP growth in the seven countries of Central Africa registered at 5 per cent, up from 4 per cent in 2007. In 2009, GDP growth is expected to slow sharply to 2.8 per cent and increase to 3.6 per cent in 2010.
Reduction in demand for oil and minerals will undermine growth in resource-rich countries.
The average growth rate for East Africa is projected at 7.3 per cent in 2008, down from a very strong 8.8 per cent in 2007. The region's performance is expected to slow to 5.5 per cent in 2009 and remain about the same in 2010.
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - which were the fastest growing economies in East Africa in 2008 -- are projected to maintain moderately robust in 2009 and 2010 because demand for their major agricultural and horticultural exports is less sensitive to the effects of the crisis.
Comoros and Seychelles are expected to continue stagnating; with depressed tourism due to the global recession, and civil unrest, in the case of Comoros. Growth in Djibouti, which registered at 5.9 per cent in 2008, is projected to accelerate in 2009 and 2010 to about 6.6 per cent in this period.
Kenya is expected to exhibit strong growth in 2009 (5 per cent) due to the recovery of domestic demand following the sharp slowdown in 2008.