of total expenditure on reads and transport also remained un­ changed in 1980 and 1981 (at about 4.4 per cent). The decline in the share of this type of expenditure for countrie8 like Macagas­ car (from 2.6 per cent in 1979 to 1.2 per cent in 1981) may have led to some ceterioration of the road network. (For further details see the statistical annex.) 7. The majority of African countries eYperienced a fall in the ratio of capital expenditure to GDP. In fact, the weighted average value of this ratio declined from 13.4 per cent in 1980 to 12.9 per cent in 1981 (see statistical annex). The ratio of capital eYpenditure to GDP increased sharply in only a few countries, inclu dinf Botswana, the Con: orcs, Ethi apia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, the Uniter Republic of Cameroon and Zimbabwe. In some of these countries which e:xperienced large government budget deficits, the bulk of capital eY.penditure was accounted for by public enterprises, over which governments found it difficult to exercise control. 97 E IECA I c M • 9 I 5 8. The shift in the composition of public eypenditure in favour cf current outlays can be explaine6 by the fact that governments had greater discretion over capital than current expen~iture. Any reduction in ordinary eJ<penditure m:;.y have important politi­ cal and social repercussions, which governments tend to avoic. The declininc ratio of capital eYpendiiure to GDP implies that current public outlays were often crow~in[ out public investment. This will certainly have long-term effects on econorr:ic perfor­ mance, and may indeed have contributed tc the recent slow-down in the growth rates of most African economies. 9. The expansion of total public e:xpenc~iture, particularly cur­ rent outlays, has outstripped the growtt in gove rnw.ent receipts. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the economic situation in Africa, specifically the trends and changes in public expenditure, capital expenditure, and government budget deficits. The language used is technical and focused on economic concepts, suggesting that the text is not related to natural resources, environment, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, Transport and communication