Salient to Investors:
The World Bank said:
- The economic impact of Ebola could grow eight-fold in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, but can be limited if it and public fear is contained by a fast global response.
- If Ebola continues to spread, billions of dollars could be drained from West African countries by the end of 2015 – worst case a loss of 11.7% growth in Liberia, 2.3% growth in Guinea and 8.9% growth in Sierra Leone.
- Aversion fear is having a bigger economic impact than the direct cost of Ebola.
Andrew Walker at BBC News said worst case Liberia’s economy would decline sharply in 2015, while Guinea and Sierra Leone would see sluggish growth. Walker said the worst case impacts on Sierra Leone and Liberia would be more severe than a normal global recession, but not as large as the most devastating conflicts which saw their economies contract by more than 20%.
The IMF said growth will slow in all three countries because of disruption in key sectors – a shortage of $300m in the next 6 to 9 months.
Read the full article at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29239604
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