It's not all bleak in sub-Saharan Africa, where the economies of more than 20 countries have registered growth for each of the past five years. Other quality-of-life indicators also show some improvement, but evidence of the ravages of HIV/AIDS is apparent in some stark drops in life expectancy over the last decade. Here's a look at Africa's better performers, including each country's United Nations Human Development Index ranking, which combines life expectancy, literacy and GDP to rank 177 nations around the globe. Fgures are for 2004, except as noted.
ANGOLA
Signs of Progress
EXPORT SUCCESSES
Kenya exports cut flowers and vegetables to London markets.
Senegal grows cherry tomatoes for sale in French supermarkets.
Madagascar's shrimp and Botswana's beef are reaching other markets.
FINANCIAL IMPROVEMENTS
Inflation, which ran at 8.5 percent in sub-Saharan Africa in the 1990s, subsided to 3.9 percent in 2003.
Net foreign direct investment rose to an estimated $11.3 billion in 2004, up from $6.3 billion in 2000.
POVERTY REDUCTION
Uganda reduced the percentage of people living in absolute poverty from 56 percent in 1992 to 35 percent in 2000.
Mozambique has reduced poverty by 16 percent since 1997.
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Population: 13.6 million
GDP growth: 11.2%
Life expectancy: 2003,
47 years
Adult literacy: 1998
estimate, 42%
Internet users: 41,000
HDI rank: 166
BENIN
Population: 6.7 million
GDP growth: 3%
Life expectancy: 1992,
51 years; 2003, 53
Adult literacy: 2003, 40%
Internet users: 25,000
HDI rank: 161
BOTSWANA
Population: 1.8 million
GDP growth: 3.8%
Life expectancy: 1992,
68 years; 2004, 31
Adult literacy: 2003, 79%
Internet users: 50,000
HDI rank: 128
BURKINA FASO
Population: 13 million
GDP growth: 4.8%
Life expectancy: 1992,
48 years; 2003, 43
Adult literacy: 26.6%
Internet users: 19,000
