France, Feb. 1 -- Some countries are forecast to grow at double-digit rates, including Guinea, while average growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 4.6 percent.

Over the same period, according to the IMF's latest economic outlook,the combined economies of Asia will slow to around 4.1 per cent.

Analysts say Africa's key advantage lies in its youth, which is rising faster than other regions - but needs investment to live up to its economic potential. Population surge

By 2050, one in four people worldwide will be African, according to the French Development Agency (AFD), France's development bank.

In its annual review of Africa's main macroeconomic indicators, published this month, the AFD pointed to a growing workforce and st...