IMF cuts growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa due to Ebola outbreak

The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa this year due to the Ebola outbreak in the western portion of the continent and violence in at least five nations.

The Washington-based lender now expects growth in the region to reach 5% this year, more or less the same as last year, instead of 5.5%.

"The Ebola outbreak could have much larger regional spillovers, especially if it is more protracted or spreads to other countries, with trade, tourism, and investment confidence severely affected," the IMF said.