per cent in 1981, following a low of 2.2 per cent a year earlier. All four countries registered considerable falls in their mining sectors: Alqeria by 2.1 per cent, Gabon by 15.2 per cent, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by 46.3 per cent and Nigeria by 24.7 per cent. The situation in these countries was further aggravated by the poor performance of their agricultural sectors, and in the case of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya additionally by a fall of about 11 per cent in manufacturi nq value added. Consequently, growth fell to 2.7 per cent aqainst 4.9 per cent in 1980 in Al­ geria, to a negative of 16.1 per cent in the Libyan Arab Janahiriya and to a negative of 2.5 per cent in Nigeria. In con- . trast, however, non-OPEC net oil exporters like the Congo and the United Republic of Cameroon made considerable qains in oil revenue during 1981. 4. Likewise, the 46 non-oil-exporting countries stagnated: grcuth in 1981 t:ell back to 3.6 per cent, after a temporary im­ provement to 4.1 per cent in 1980. The 21 least developed countries in particular faired poorly despite the strong qrowth in countries like Botswana and Malawi. 18 E/ECA/CM.S/5 5. These developments were accompanied by acut~ econor.~ic problems rna nifest foremost in worsening bala nee of pay -.ents posi­ tions, fiscal imbalances, scarcities and rampant infla .:.ion. 6. In 1981 developing Africa's current account deficit reac1"ed an all time high of $31.8 billion and a similar i:.~balance of $26.4 billion is estimated for 1982. The former srxtfall v:as due both to a rise of 15.8 per cent in the value of irr.)orts and a 20.4 per cent contraction in export proceeds; the lat·.:.er deficit was however wholly due to a drop of 15.4 per cent ir exports as imports fell by 14.1 per cent in the meantime. The :all in im­
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the economic performance of various African countries in 1981, specifically focusing on their growth rates, trade balances, and economic challenges. The language used is technical and economic, with terms like "GDP growth rate", "current account deficit", and "fiscal imbalances". The text also mentions the impact of changes in the mining and agricultural sectors on the economy. This suggests that the text is primarily focused on economic development and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade