Economic growth in key Sub-Saharan African economies will slow this year as weaker global growth makes the backdrop less favourable and high interest rates deter investment, ratings agency S&P said in a research report.

S&P said it now forecast the gross domestic product of eight Sub-Saharan African economies it tracks would expand 2.9 percent in 2023, down from 3.4 percent in 2022.

Its latest forecast is slightly gloomier than a research report from June last year that predicted 2023 growth of 3.2 percent for seven African economies.

This year's report included economic forecasts for Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa. S&P's 2022 report did not feature Mozambique forecasts.

"The economic environment remains far from growth friendly, reflecting elevated policy uncertainty and above-average systemic financial stress," S&P said.

"Policymakers face a tricky trade-off between public debt management, especially given higher interest rates, and macroeconomic stability," the agency added.

"However, the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, the reopening of tourism and services sectors, and falling food and fuel prices should bring some relief," S&P added.

S&P now forecasts South Africa's economy will grow 0.7 percent this year, down from a 1.6 percent forecast given in June 2022 because of an intensifying electricity crisis.

Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia were poised to be the growth leaders in 2023 with GDP expansions of 6 percent this year, supported by mining in Congo and a recovery in investment in Ethiopia after a ceasefire between the government and Tigray forces, S&P said.

Looking to 2024, S&P projected average growth of 3.4 percent in the eight countries.