South Africa economic update : promoting faster growth and poverty alleviation through competition

"Promoting domestic competition between firms in South Africa can help spur faster growth and poverty alleviation in an environment of slow growth and limited fiscal space, according to a new World Bank report.

The South Africa Economic Update: Promoting Faster Growth and Poverty Alleviation through Competition, reviews recent economic developments and assesses South Africa’s near-term economic prospects. As with all emerging markets, South Africa faces challenges from weaker commodity prices, lower Chinese demand and rising U.S. interest rates, the report says. These already difficult headwinds are further compounded by domestic factors including policy uncertainty, infrastructure gaps and drought, according to the report. Furthermore, the report notes that rising public debt and prospective inflationary pressures have placed fiscal and monetary policy on a tightening foot."