What role does Africa have in a global economy?

Africa’s influence on issues of global importance remains ‘far too narrow and marginalised’. African leaders made those comments earlier this week in Washington DC as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank held annual meetings. The IMF’s latest economic outlook for Africa shows that the region faces uncertainty. Regional leaders appealed for the continent not to be forgotten. So, what should be done to further integrate the continent into the world economy?