Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa (October 2008).

The region's prospects continue to be promising, but global developments pose increased risks to the outlook.Growth in sub-Saharan Africa should again average about 6-1/2 percent in 2008 with oil exporters leading the way; meanwhile, growth in oil importers is expected to taper off, though only modestly.

With food and energy prices still rising, inflation is projected to average about 8-1/2 percent this year for countries in the region, setting aside Zimbabwe.

Risks in 2008 are tilted to the downside, but the region is better placed today to withstand a worsening of the global environment.