South Africa broke free of recession on Tuesday when it reported GDP growth of 2.2 percent for the third quarter, the statistics authority said, marking a positive economic trajectory ahead of elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took power in February, has pledged to revive the listless economy ahead of polls due in May by attracting $100 billion in foreign investment and by fighting corruption.
The growth, which contrasted sharply with the second quarter’s 0.4 percent contraction, was driven by a surge in the manufacturing, agriculture and transport sectors, Statistics South Africa said in a statement.