ditions and performance of Africa in 1982. The aeneral decline in economic activity, noticeallle already in 1980, has not only persisted but v1orsened, resultinq in a neqative GDP qro\vth rate cf 1.4 per cent and a host of other problems, cf v'hich the exter­ nal payments imbala nee is the most serious. ~~he causes of the continuinq economic deterioration are to be found both in inter­ nal African conditions -cl irna te, structural ccnstra i nts, sene qovernment policies which are far from conducive to savinq, in­ vestment and production- and in the serious inpact of the reces­ sion in industrialized countries on Africa's econcmy. 4. The African economies, beinq export-oriented, have been particularly hard-hit by the recession in the· industriali:zed countries. Export revenues have fallen drast.ica: ly, not only in the non-oil-exportinq African countries whi ~h "epend on tradi­ tion?! pr:ima ry commodities, but also in th(~ oil-exportinq countries, causinq a drastic fall in public re··enue a1•d severe cut-backs in public spendinq. For some mont 1s <1urinq the year, quite a fE:W African Governments had difficu· tif.s in payinq the salaries and waqes of their public servants. Th( fall :in demand fer and prices of Africa's export commodities, includinq miner<Jls and petroleum products, also affected imr::-rtt· esse:·tial to development, particularly spare parts a •1d inrlust--ial raw materials, leadinq to excess industrial capacity simul .aneously with a sea rcity of finished products. The le•Jel of re!" .~rves fer most African countries has fallen to its lCl\'1est ever, 1mountinQ to less than one month's imports in 1982. Wi ·_h hiqh interest rates in noney markets and limited supplies of non-ccncessional 3 E/ECA/CM.9/5 funds, African countries have increasinqly turned to IMF, drawinq credits worth SDR 4.2 billion by Auqust· 1982. The downward pres­ sure on demand and prices has been especially stronq for oil, a 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the economic situation in Africa, specifically the decline in economic activity, negative GDP growth rate, and impact of the recession in industrialized countries on African economies. The text also mentions the decline in export revenues, fall in public revenue, and difficulty in paying salaries and wages of public servants. These indicators suggest that the text is primarily concerned with economic issues, particularly economic development and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade