Regional economic outlook : Sub-Saharan Africa, maintaining growth in an uncertain world

Economic conditions in sub-Saharan Africa have remained generally robust despite a sluggish global economy.

The near-term outlook for the region remains broadly positive, and growth is project ed at 5 1/4 percent a year in 2012-13.

Most low-income countries are projected to continue to grow strongly, supported by domestic demand, including from investment.

The outlook is less favorable for many of the middle-income countries, especially South Africa, that are more closely linked to European markets and thus experience a more noticeable drag from the external environment.

The main risks to the outlook are an intensification of financial stresses in the euro zone and a sharp fiscal adjustment in the US-the so called fiscal cliff.