Trade •  Exports: Export earnings remained largely flat over the years, averaging around $ billion in the last 5 years. However, cumulative to July, earnings increased by around 21 percent over the comparable period last year, with annual earnings forecast at around $ billion. Exports are forecast to continue to grow strongly in the next 2 years.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Several reasons have been put forward to account for the low level of financial inclusion in Africa. Key among these reasons are poverty, irregular income flows, high levels of financial illiteracy, high financial costs, social and cultural beliefs, and underdeveloped financial markets.