The press conference on April 22, 2012, which followed a meeting of the African Consultative Group, set up in 2007 to improve economic policy dialogue between the IMF and its African member states, was an opportunity to update growth forecasts for the African continent. According to Ms Lagarde, the IMF forecasts average growth of 5% for sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 and 2013.

Within the zone's countries, some national economies will enjoy more favorable prospects. This will be particularly the case in Côte d'Ivoire, where very strong growth of around 8.5% is forecast for 2012, as well as in neighboring Ghana, with growth forecasts in excess of 10%.

Lastly, the GCA noted the resilience of sub-Saharan Africa to the global financial crisis, which did not affect the region. This resilience has been made possible by economic regulations, particularly in French-speaking Africa, which prohibit subscription to financial products outside the Franc zone.