While the three juntas share similar rhetoric and have formed new regional groupings, they have struggled to translate alignment into seamless military cooperation or shared strategy against insurgent violence that moves easily across borders.

The lack of joint planning, intelligence-sharing and operational trust has left each government fighting largely on its own, undermining the idea that a Russia-backed Sahel front can deliver region-wide security gains.

Russia’s own approach is also drawing blowback. Reports of heavy-handed tactics and abuses linked to Moscow-aligned forces have fuelled resentment in some areas and, in some cases, strengthened armed groups’ recruitment narratives.

That reputational cost, combined with limited improvements on the ground, is making Russia’s offer less attractive than it looked when anti-Western sentiment was at its peak.

At the same time, Moscow no longer has the Sahel to itself. China, Türkiye and the UAE are expanding business, military and diplomatic footprints in the region, giving junta leaders more options and reducing Russia’s leverage.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-performing region globally, with an average score of 32 out of 100. Only four of the 49 countries assessed scored above 50, the threshold considered relatively clean in public sector governance .

Transparency International warned that corruption continues to undermine public services , democratic institutions and economic development, often hitting the most vulnerable communities hardest.

“African governments need to urgently translate anti-corruption commitments into decisive action by further strengthening accountability institutions and increasing transparency, protecting civic space and supporting public participation, along with necessary checks and balances on power,” Paul Banoba, Regional Advisor for Africa at Transparency International said.

In Madagascar, persistent corruption and alleged misuse of public funds were among the grievances that fueled protests and political upheaval in 2025. Mozambique has also declined over the past decade, while Angola has made some gains but still ranks in the lower half of the index. 

At the top of the regional rankings are Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Botswana and Rwanda. At the bottom are Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan.

Transparency International is urging stronger accountability institutions, greater transparency and better protection for whistleblowers.

The talks covered cooperation in space exploration and the use of Russian space technologies in Burkina Faso. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to working through United Nations frameworks to address concerns about the militarisation of outer space.

During the meeting, Gorbunov presented the prime minister with Burkina Faso’s national flag, which had spent about six months aboard the International Space Station during his mission.

The engagement builds on a September agreement signed in Bamako, where officials from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger reached a deal with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, to jointly develop telecommunications and remote-sensing satellites.

The initiative is intended to support regional priorities such as strengthening security , improving disaster response and expanding high-speed internet access.

Dr Joseph Siegle, who leads research on Russian influence in Africa at the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, said Moscow’s engagement is driven more by geostrategic goals than long-term economic investment.

Russia has positioned itself as an alternative ally by offering diplomatic backing and security cooperation to the transitional governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, he said.

Siegle also described the AES as largely symbolic, warning that the three governments lack the economic and security capacity to operate as a cohesive bloc. “The promotion appears intended more to enhance the international credibility of these governments than to achieve tangible regional cooperation,” he told Space in Africa .

Kenya’s Bold Step: Converting Dollar Debt to Yuan

Some African governments are rethinking how they borrow. Kenya has taken a pioneering step by converting $3.5 billion of loans from China into yuan-denominated debt, a move expected to save the country $215 million annually. This strategy reduces exposure to the strengthening U.S. dollar and signals a broader push toward “de-dollarisation”, diversifying currency options to stabilise national economies and increase fiscal independence.

Angola’s Return to Global Markets

While Kenya experiments with currency diversification, Angola has chosen to re-engage international investors. The country has issued five- and ten-year Eurobonds to raise $1.5 billion, marking its first bond sale since 2022. Led by major global banks including Citi, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, and Standard Chartered, the sale points to renewed investor confidence in African economies. Yet, experts warn that poor credit ratings still force many countries to borrow at interest rates as high as 12%, as noted by MacDonald Goanue of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.

Creative Financing and Regional Solutions

To ease the debt burden, several African nations are adopting innovative financial tools. Securitisation, which allows governments to use future revenue streams as collateral, and debt-for-nature swaps, which forgive debt in exchange for environmental protection, are gaining traction. Additionally, regional banks are offering concessional loans with lower interest rates and longer repayment periods. There is also growing advocacy for trading in African currencies and building stronger regional financial institutions to reduce reliance on Western lenders.

From Necessity to Strategy

Africa ’s debt story is evolving from borrowing out of necessity to borrowing with strategy. However, global inflation, commodity price drops, and geopolitical instability still threaten progress. As Kenya, Angola, and others demonstrate, African countries are reclaiming agency in the global financial system. The focus is shifting from repayment to reimagining the structures that have historically constrained the continent’s growth.

Click here to watch our previous episodes

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

Regional outlook

BMI ’s analysis indicates that smaller and mid-tier economies will continue to outperform the region’s largest markets. From 2010 through 2024, these economies have consistently recorded stronger growth than the so-called “Big 5.” This pattern is expected to continue in 2026.

The “Big 5” economies — South Africa , Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, and Ghana — are forecast to expand at a slower pace. Structural issues, including limited investment and weaker productivity, are expected to constrain their performance compared to smaller peers.

Several countries are set to record some of the highest growth rates. Rwanda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Senegal, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire are listed among the top performers. Other economies such as Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are also projected to deliver solid growth.

Regional growth figures show that momentum in Sub-Saharan Africa will largely come from smaller economies. In 2026, BMI projects the “Big 5” will continue to lag behind the wider group of markets, reinforcing a clear divide.

Some economies are set to struggle in 2026. Zimbabwe, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola, Lesotho, and South Africa are forecast to post weaker growth compared to the rest of the region.

Southern Africa focus

The analysis highlights how Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are entering 2026 with very different economic conditions, shaped by both domestic and external pressures.

Lesotho: Tariffs and aid dependence

Lesotho’s economy is slowing under the weight of US tariffs. Real GDP growth is forecast to remain weak in 2025 and 2026. The country is heavily reliant on exports to the United States, which account for around 40–50% of total exports. Added to this, Lesotho is exposed to a fall in development aid. USAID funds represented a significant share of GDP in 2023, leaving healthcare especially vulnerable. The report notes that HIV prevalence remains high, with more than 20% of adults aged 15–49 affected.

Malawi: Election and weak economy

85-year-old Peter Mutharika secured a resounding win in the September 16 presidential election, signalling a demand for political change. However, parliamentary seats remain divided between the Democratic Progressive Party and the Malawi Congress Party, meaning policymaking will require cooperation. Malawi’s economy faces major hurdles. The fiscal deficit has stayed above 10% of GDP in recent years, and the current account is also in deficit. Real GDP growth is forecast to remain below 4%, showing the country’s vulnerability to aid shocks and external disruptions.

Mozambique: Recovery under pressure

Mozambique’s economy is projected to recover, but at a slower pace. Real GDP growth for 2025 and 2026 is forecast below the 2014–2023 average. The report highlights continued political and social risks, with the society risk index showing elevated scores. Foreign reserves are expected to improve slightly, supporting exchange rate stability. The metical is forecast to remain stable against the US dollar under BMI’s base case scenario.

Zambia: Growth and fiscal improvement

Zambia’s macroeconomic outlook is more positive. Real GDP growth is expected to accelerate in late 2025 and into 2026. Fiscal consolidation is also underway, with revenue and expenditure levels improving. However, political uncertainty remains. While President Hakainde Hichilema is in a strong position ahead of the 2026 election, his United Party for National Development risks losing legislative control, which could complicate policymaking.

Zimbabwe: Short-term gains but inflation persists

Zimbabwe’s short-term outlook has improved due to stronger performance in agriculture and gold production. Real GDP growth is forecast to remain positive through 2026. Inflation, while slowing, is still high and remains a challenge for households and businesses. Public confidence in government performance is low, with surveys showing high dissatisfaction on issues such as job creation, corruption, and living standards.

Horn of Africa outlook

The Horn of Africa is described as one of the riskiest regions in the world despite its strategic location along major global shipping routes—the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Political tensions and security challenges remain widespread.

According to the report, Ethiopia, which recently inaugurated the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) , is forecast to grow by an average of 7.2% between 2025 and 2034, far higher than its neighbours. Djibouti is expected to grow at 4.2%, while Eritrea will expand at 3.8%. Somalia is projected to record the weakest performance, averaging 2.8% growth over the same period.

Despite Ethiopia’s strong outlook, the commentary warns that security challenges could weigh on growth. Data shows rising fatalities from incidents in regions such as Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray. BMI highlights that ongoing domestic instability remains a key downside risk.

A complex network of bilateral relationships among Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and external powers such as the UAE and Turkiye adds to geopolitical tensions. Ethiopia’s search for sea access has also been identified as a potential flashpoint.

BMI’s Country Risk & Industry Research covers more than 200 countries and over 20 industry sectors.

“Since the removal of its troops from Niger in 2023, the government has implemented a sneaky and subversive destabilisation plan, informing, training, financing, and equipping terrorists, with unfortunate attempts to create the conditions for an inter-ethnic conflict in Niger and the Sahel,” he remarked.

Zeine accused France of running a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Niger’s institutions, political leaders, and army, while also trying to create permanent political tension between Niger and its neighbours.

“This is accompanied by an unprecedented economic and financial war, notably in France’s hateful intent to sabotage all our development projects by demobilising investors and systematically voting against Niger in international financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank , and the IMF,” he said.

Since the military-led government in Niamey forced French troops to withdraw last year, relations have soured further, with Niger accusing Paris of meddling in its internal affairs and undermining its sovereignty.

Between July 2023 and June 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa received an estimated $125 billion worth of cryptocurrency on-chain transactions, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis . While this represents just 2.7% of global transaction volume, countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa consistently rank in the top 20 worldwide for grassroots adoption.

The demand is fueled by practical use cases: remittances from abroad, protection against local currency depreciation, cross-border trade, and access to stablecoins as a hedge against inflation. In Nigeria, for example, stablecoins accounted for nearly 40% of crypto transaction volume in 2024, far above the global average.

Why crypto is catching on

Sub-Saharan Africa faces some of the highest remittance costs in the world, averaging over 8% per transaction for money sent home from abroad. Crypto payments can slash these fees to under 2%, making them attractive to both senders and receivers.

Local inflation and currency volatility also play a role. In countries like Ghana and Nigeria, steep devaluations have eroded purchasing power, prompting individuals and small businesses to seek stablecoins pegged to the U.S. dollar. For many, crypto wallets accessed through mobile phones serve as a first form of “bank account.”

Despite its popularity, cryptocurrency operates in a fragmented regulatory environment. An I MF survey found that only 25% of Sub-Saharan African countries have comprehensive legislation for crypto assets, while others enforce partial restrictions or outright bans.

Nigeria’s case is illustrative. The central bank once prohibited banks from servicing crypto-related accounts, but in 2023 began to roll back restrictions in favour of regulated exchanges and digital asset licensing.

While crypto brings financial inclusion opportunities, it also comes with volatility risks, fraud concerns, and dependence on foreign-controlled platforms. Experts warn that without robust consumer protection frameworks, vulnerable users could face significant losses.

Internet access and digital literacy remain barriers. According to the GSMA Mobile Economy Report , about 40% of Sub-Saharan Africans are still offline, limiting who can participate in the crypto economy.

From small traders in Lagos to freelancers in Nairobi, millions are using digital assets to solve everyday financial problems.

The tower, designed by engineering firm Dar Al-Handasah, is expected to reach 1,074 feet, taller than Johannesburg’s Leonardo tower, which currently holds the regional record at 768 feet.

The skyscraper will be built in the Kirkos district, near the city’s growing business hub. It will include office spaces, a sky garden, and a rooftop restaurant.

The full site covers 2.8 hectares and is being promoted as a future centre for business and public life.

If completed as planned, it would take four years to build.

The government says it wants only contractors who have handled large-scale projects before, at least three contracts worth $370 million or more.

According to officials, the building reflects Ethiopia’s long-term vision for urban growth and economic transformation.

The energy sector is a central part of that strategy, and the new headquarters is meant to support efforts to improve electricity infrastructure across the country.

“This building will not just change our skyline, it will reflect who we are becoming,” said a spokesperson for Ethiopian Electric Power .

The plan also forms part of a wider push to modernise Addis Ababa’s cityscape and attract foreign investment.

With bidding now open and designs finalised, construction is expected to begin once a suitable contractor is selected.

The image for this article was AI-generated

Yet, this bold stance has come at a cost, with Traoré repeatedly claiming to be the target of sinister plots and assassination attempts aimed at crushing his vision for a sovereign Burkina Faso.

Below are four documented instances where Traoré or his administration have alleged conspiracies against him, casting him as a revolutionary under siege.

September 2023: The "destabilisation" plot

In September 2023, barely a year after seizing power, Traoré’s government announced it had thwarted a coup attempt to destabilise his regime. The junta claimed that plotters, including military officers and civilians, sought to overthrow Traoré and reverse his anti-Western policies, such as expelling French forces. In a statement read out on state television, it said, "A proven coup attempt was foiled on September 26, 2023, by Burkina Faso's intelligence and security services. "At present, officers and other alleged participants in this destabilisation attempt have been arrested and others are being actively sought,"

April 2025: The Ivory Coast conspiracy

On April 21, 2025, Traoré’s junta revealed it had foiled a “major plot” to overthrow him, allegedly orchestrated by current and former soldiers based in Ivory Coast. The conspirators reportedly planned to attack the presidential palace and sow chaos, as detailed by the BBC. The announcement triggered massive rallies in Ouagadougou on April 30, with supporters chanting Traoré’s name across West Africa and the diaspora. Ivory Coast denied any involvement, but the claim heightened regional tensions and reinforced Traoré’s image as a target of foreign-backed schemes.

April 2025: The “119 conspirators” plot

Days before the Ivory Coast plot announcement, Traoré claimed to have survived a sprawling conspiracy involving 119 plotters, allegedly linked to former junta leader Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba. According to SF Bay View on April 12, 2025, this plot was part of a broader claim that Traoré had survived “over 20 assassination attempts.” The junta accused the conspirators of seeking to restore Western-aligned governance, though no independent verification of the plot’s scale has emerged.

June 2025: Conspiracy to betray the AES

On June 9, 2025, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso warned that foreign powers are pressuring one member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to betray the others, aiming to fracture the regional bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Speaking at a national flag-raising ceremony in Ouagadougou, where the AES anthem was sung for the first time, Traoré denounced imperialist "manoeuvres" targeting the alliance’s unity and sovereignty. Traoré reaffirmed the alliance’s mission to ensure security, harness regional wealth, and improve living conditions for local populations. Calling for unity and resilience, he emphasised that the Sahel is no longer a zone of influence but a region determined to chart its own path.

These allegations come against a backdrop of unrelenting violence in Burkina Faso, ranked the world’s most terrorism-affected nation by the Global Terrorism Index 2025 , with 6,389 deaths in 2024 alone.

Traoré’s defiance of Western powers, including his 2023 expulsion of French troops and pivot toward Russia, has made him a hero to many but a lightning rod for controversy.

Airtel Africa currently operates in 14 countries, while Starlink is active in nine, with a new agreement expected to strengthen Airtel’s satellite connectivity offerings and improve internet access in underserved and remote areas.

Airtel described the collaboration as a “strategic investment and partnership,” aimed at advancing its next-generation connectivity services.

This move follows a similar arrangement in India earlier this year, where Airtel agreed to distribute Starlink kits through its retail network, potentially bundling Starlink services with its existing offerings.

Speaking to Global South World , Del Re argued that the EU’s true strength lies not in military might, but in the enduring power of humanitarian and development support.

"Humanitarian aid and development cooperation are our distinctive aspects because... the European Union is the main provider at the global level, which gives the European Union a profile, a very important profile," Del Re said. "We have to reinforce our positive aspects, our credibility, our capability of influence without, of course, imposing our influence."

Del Re warned against following the trend of cutting aid budgets, as seen in the United States and parts of Europe. Instead, she urged the EU to embrace its soft power identity more fully. "I think that the European Union should go in the opposite direction because both humanitarian aid and development cooperation are a distinctive aspect and profile of the European Union," she told GSW.

"Soft power is absolutely necessary in the global system and also, of course, favours a system that really goes straight within the communities rather than only thinking about restructuring and redefining the defence system," she added.

Del Re also discussed the challenges facing EU engagement in the Sahel. She described the EU as "the main partner of each country of the Sahel," but noted ongoing struggles with coherence and perception. 

"The European Union has found itself in a difficult position, being considered still very much related to the former colonialist country, France and also being considered as a partner that imposes rather than discusses the way forward," she said.

The legacy of colonialism continues to affect relationships with African countries, the Italian diplomat noted, "We have not developed what I call a European-African or African-European language that can really favour the canalisation of common messages."

Videography: Anoir4art

However, the IMF expects growth to rebound to 4.2% in 2026, driven by stronger investment and improving global conditions.

The updated outlook comes as part of the IMF’s global economic update , which reflects weaker-than-expected international trade dynamics, including new U.S. tariffs and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

Despite the overall slowdown, several countries in the region are expected to remain strong performers. Senegal, Ethiopia , and Côte d’Ivoire are forecast to post the highest growth rates in sub-Saharan Africa this year, underpinned by infrastructure investment, services expansion, and relatively stable political environments.

Meanwhile, Africa’s oil-exporting nations are expected to grow slower, averaging 2.7%, as global oil demand shows signs of softening. Nigeria, the region’s largest oil producer, is projected to grow by 3%, though this marks a 0.2 percentage point downward revision from previous forecasts due to falling oil prices and demand concerns.

Equatorial Guinea is likely to face the steepest contraction, with its economy expected to shrink by 4.2% this year, reflecting structural weaknesses and declining hydrocarbon output.

In  South Africa , the continent’s most industrialised economy, growth remains subdued at 1%, held back by persistent power shortages, policy uncertainty, and weak private investment.

The IMF warned that political instability and conflict remain “pronounced” risks to the region’s economic outlook. Rising food and energy prices, in particular, continue to weigh heavily on vulnerable economies with limited fiscal flexibility.

“Rising food and energy prices have had a severe impact on vulnerable nations with limited fiscal space,” Semafor quotes.

The IMF further urged policymakers in the region to prioritise fiscal discipline, investment in human capital, and governance reforms to build resilience in the face of global shocks.

The decision, part of Trump’s broader push to reset global trade on strictly bilateral terms, effectively guts the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—a 25-year-old program designed to boost U.S.- Africa trade by waiving tariffs for qualifying African countries. With AGOA set to expire this September, the new tariffs may mark its premature and unilateral end.

South Africa

South Africa, Africa’s most industrialised economy, was hit with a 31% tariff on U.S. imports. Despite the blow, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ruled out retaliation, stating his government “will not act out of spite.” Instead, the country is seeking negotiations for exemptions or quota-based trade terms. “This move essentially nullifies the benefits we enjoyed under AGOA,” Ramaphosa said, adding that South Africa will “forge global alliances” to diversify its export partners. "To say we will impose reciprocal tariffs without first understanding how the U.S. arrived at 31% ... would be counterproductive," trade minister Parks Tau told a press conference , adding that South Africa’s average tariff on imports was 7.6%. According to local reports, South African citrus exporters—who rely heavily on the U.S. market—warn that up to  35,000 jobs  could be at risk due to the new tariffs.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, the Central Bank moved quickly to stabilise financial markets. On Sunday, it sold nearly $200 million to shore up the naira after global markets were rattled by the U.S. tariff announcement. A drop in global crude oil prices—sparked by fears of an impending slowdown in global trade—added pressure on the oil-dependent nation. “These tariffs have introduced new dynamics for oil-exporting countries such as Nigeria,” the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said in a statement .

Smaller nations

While the tariffs are disruptive for larger economies, they could be devastating for smaller African nations like Lesotho, Mauritius, and Madagascar— low-income countries heavily reliant on textile and apparel exports to the U.S.

In a twist, the U.S. had originally helped build these countries’ industries by allowing them to import third-country fabrics duty-free under AGOA . That exemption has now been effectively erased.

“These new tariffs will cripple the apparel sectors in these countries,” noted trade analysts at the Center for Global Development. “The U.S. created the enabling environment for this growth, and is now abruptly pulling the rug out.”

The commemoration comes on the back of the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s diplomatic mission across Africa. Starting in Mauritania and continuing to The Gambia and Senegal, Sánchez expressed his hopes to strengthen partnerships with these nations to help curb the flow of migrants to the Canaries. 

The islands have been overwhelmed by a record 39,910 arrivals in 2023, and that number is on track to rise even further this year.

The report further indicated that Nigeria continued to be the largest recipient of remittances in the region, although its inflows fell by 2.9% over the year. The cost of sending remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa remains the highest globally, averaging nearly 8% for every $200 sent. 

This is significantly above the global average of 6.4%. The most expensive remittance routes include transfers from Tanzania to neighbouring East African countries Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, where fees can exceed 30% per $200 transaction. On the other hand, sending money to Mali from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire remains among the cheapest options.

The decline in remittance inflows has become a challenge for many African countries, as remittances have been crucial in supporting their economies amidst issues such as food insecurity, drought, supply chain disruptions, floods, and debt-servicing difficulties. Countries that are particularly dependent on remittances include the Gambia, Lesotho, Comoros, Liberia, and Cabo Verde. The World Bank projects a 1.5% growth in remittance flows to the region in 2024.

Meanwhile, remittance inflows to the Middle East and North Africa region fell by 15% in 2023, totalling $55 billion. This sharp decline was primarily due to a drop in remittances to Egypt, caused by the divergence between official and parallel foreign exchange rates, which likely diverted funds to unofficial channels. However, after Egypt unified its exchange rates in March 2024, official remittance flows began to recover. Remittances to this region are expected to grow by 4.3% in 2024.

The World Bank highlighted several factors that influenced remittance flows in 2023, including job markets for migrant workers, immigration policies, exchange rate fluctuations, and ongoing conflicts. Looking ahead, the growth in remittances projected for 2024 is expected to be driven by steady economic growth and stable labour markets in major migrant-hosting countries, particularly the United States and Europe. However, potential downside risks, such as worsening conflicts, volatile oil prices, and economic downturns in high-income countries, could impact these projections.

Remittances , typically recognised as the money or goods that migrants send to their families and friends in their home countries, are often the most tangible and widely recognised connection between migration and development.

The report highlights that nearly 60% of students from African countries who applied to study at U.S. universities last year were denied F-1 visas by the State Department. This represents the highest denial rate among all regions. Despite this, the State Department maintains that it has granted more visas to African students in aggregate than ever before.

Countries that experienced a rise in denial rates by 10 percentage points or more in 2023 were primarily located in Africa and Asia. Notably, Southern Africa recorded a much lower denial rate of 19%, compared to the continent’s overall rate of 57%. Since 2015, when the overall denial rate stood at 43%, the rates for students from most African countries - excluding South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Lesotho - have steadily increased.

A State Department spokesperson told University World News that 2023 marked the highest number of student and exchange visas issued to African countries in its history, a 61% increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

“Our embassies and consulates in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda , Eswatini, Côte d’Ivoire, and Madagascar all issued more student visas in 2023 than in any year in the past two decades,” the spokesperson stated.

Researchers note that the majority of Africa’s internet traffic comes from smartphones. “Learners in Sub-Saharan Africa show a strong appetite for mobile learning, with 65% accessing courses on smartphones or tablets - the highest among all regions. They focus on developing business skills like risk management and supply chain systems, as well as technical skills like SQL and HTML/CSS. However, with only 36% of learners being women, despite comprising 46.1% of the region’s labour force, there’s a significant gender disparity in online learning,” the report notes.

Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda emphasised the significance of digital transformation and AI in driving educational trends. “In 2023, a learner signed up for a GenAI course on Coursera every minute; by 2024, this rate had quadrupled. An astounding 1,060% year-over-year increase in global GenAI course enrollments highlights how learners are actively preparing for AI’s impact on their careers. Improved technical skill rankings in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean reinforce the global appetite for acquiring digital skills as a way to achieve greater economic mobility,” Maggioncalda wrote.

The report also highlighted significant growth in GenAI course enrollments in regions such as Asia Pacific (1,270% YoY) and Sub-Saharan Africa (1,500% YoY). Government initiatives in countries like India, Malaysia, and Thailand are setting the stage for AI training and adoption. Examples include India’s $1.2 billion investment in AI projects, Malaysia’s National AI Studies Centre, and Thailand’s AI infrastructure development program.

The Middle East and North Africa region showed a strong commitment to digital transformation and emerging technologies, with an 861% increase in GenAI course enrollments and a 17% rise in cybersecurity enrollments year-over-year.  

In Egypt, specifically, learners are typically younger than the global average, with a median age of 29, and increasingly learn on mobile devices, with 64% accessing courses through smartphones or tablets.

"The forecast for growth in sub-Saharan Africa is revised downward, mainly as a result of a 0.2 percentage point downward revision to the growth outlook in Nigeria amid weaker-than-expected activity in the first quarter of this year," the report stated.

Nigeria, a leading economy in Africa due to its large population, vast oil reserves, and diverse economic sectors, experienced a 2.98 percent growth in real terms in the first quarter of 2024. This was a decline from the 3.46 percent growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, as reported by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics.

Despite this revision, the IMF noted that economic activity in the region has shown resilience through early 2024, supported by robust private consumption in key economies. "Economic activity has shown resilience through early 2024, supported by robust private consumption in key economies,” said Jean-Marc Natal, Deputy Chief of the World Economic Studies Division in the Research Department of the IMF.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the Economic Counselor and Director, Research Department further noted that, “Sub-Saharan Africa, the growth projections are for 2024, are revised downward a little bit to 3.7 percent, that's a negative 0.1 percentage point revision, and are unchanged for 2025 at 4.1 percent.  And the broad context here is that as we see inflation increasingly in the rearview mirror and we expect to see inflation in the rearview mirror.  There is going to be an easing of global monetary conditions and financial conditions, and that is going to benefit also the region.  But let me ask Jean-Marc to come in and provide more details.” 

Globally, the IMF projected steady growth of 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025, aligning with its earlier forecast from April this year.

The result of the survey showed that North Africa remains a dominant force on the list featuring cities from mainly Egypt and Morocco while sub-Saharan cities had two representations.

Cape Town in South Africa, a perennial favorite, secured the second position on the list. Rwanda’s capital Kigali, which has been climbing the ranks steadily since its debut three years ago, claimed the fifth position.

Moroccan cities had a particularly strong showing, with three entries. The city of Fez earned the sixth place, praised for its rich cultural heritage, while Essaouira re-entered the list at seventh after a hiatus since 2021. The top spot was clinched by another Moroccan city, reflecting its broad appeal among travelers.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Luxor and Cairo emerged ninth and tenth on the list.

Here are the top 10 favorite cities in Africa and the Middle East according to Travel and Leisure readers:

1 . Marrakesh, Morocco - Reader Score: 89.17

2. Cape Town, South Africa - Reader Score: 88.87

3. Jerusalem, Israel - Reader Score: 87.25

4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reader Score: 86.14

5. Kigali, Rwanda - Reader Score: 85.93

6. Fez, Morocco - Reader Score: 84.37

7. Essaouira, Morocco - Reader Score: 83.97

8. Tel Aviv, Israel - Reader Score: 82.46

9. Luxor, Egypt - Reader Score: 82.04

10. Cairo, Egypt - Reader Score: 81.40

The proposed amendments target Sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the Constitution to reserve one special seat for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This change would come into effect after the current National Assembly term and is subject to review every 16 years, according to Premium Times Nigeria . Additionally, Section 91 would be amended to allocate three special seats for women in the Houses of Assembly of each state, distributed across the three senatorial districts.

Leading the debate, Joshua Gana, a member of the House of Representatives, emphasised the bill's foundation on equitable representation. "The bill is anchored on the fundamental principle of equitable representation and aims to empower women by ensuring their voices are not only heard but that they actively contribute to shaping the legislative landscape and the overall development of our nation," Gana said.

He noted the importance of addressing gender inequality in Nigeria's governance, saying "the issue of gender equality and representation lies at the heart of our constitutional democracy."

However, the bill has its detractors. Ghali Tijani from Kano State called for its rejection, arguing that it undermines democratic principles and human rights.

"Accepting this bill is against democratic principles, and it is undermining human rights. This should be rejected. Of course, I can support women if there is a political provision for non-elective positions. If we continue on this path, we are undermining political parties," Tijani argued.

Currently, Nigeria has the least gender-representative parliament in sub-Saharan Africa, with women comprising only 2.8% of MPs in the upper chamber and 3.9% in the lower chamber following the 2023 elections.

In contrast, Zimbabwe's upper chamber boasts the highest female representation in the region at 45%. Globally, Rwanda leads with women holding 61.3% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, followed by Cuba and Nicaragua at 55.7% and 53.9%, respectively.

Elephants also fall in the category of illegally traded wildlife species, with about 6% having been exploited for their tusks and meat, according to the report. Other species including corals and carnivores are trafficked within the region.

Projects including Disrupt led by Interpol and UNODC, have revealed how interconnected criminal networks operate in the field of wildlife quality.

East Africa saw mass prosecutions of elephant ivory traffickers in 2018, which led to a switch by illegal traders to exporting ivory from Europe.

A World Bank survey revealed that over $1.3 billion was allocated to tackle illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia from January 2010 to June 2016, averaging $190 million annually. The funding supported projects in 60 countries and various regional and global initiatives.

Out of this, 63% ($833 million) was directed to Africa, 29% ($381 million) to Asia, 6% ($81 million) to global programs, and 2% ($35 million) to projects on both continents.

The top five recipients, receiving a combined $328 million, were Tanzania (8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5%), Mozambique (5%), Gabon (3%), and Bangladesh (3%).

The study was conducted in collaboration with the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) in partnership with Cites, Interpol, the World Bank, and the World Customs Organisation.

Cocaine seizures have witnessed a surge, skyrocketing from an average of 13 kg annually between 2015 and 2020 to 1,466 kg in 2022, the report titled ‘Drug Trafficking in the Sahel ’ disclosed.

“Drug trafficking is well-established in the Sahel region – with detrimental consequences both locally and globally. Increased drug flows to West Africa and the Sahel undermine peace and stability in the region. This is not only a security issue as armed groups are deriving revenue to finance their operations, it is also a public health issue as criminal groups tap into population growth to expand illicit drug markets,” Amado Philip de Andres, head of UNODC agency’s West and Central Africa regional office is quoted.

While specific figures for 2023 remain undisclosed, mid-year data revealed a significant haul of 2.3 tons of cocaine seized in Mauritania alone, indicating the persistent flow of narcotics through Sahelian territories. 

Corruption and money laundering emerge as significant facilitators of drug trafficking, amplifying the challenges faced in combating this transnational crime. Recent crackdowns have uncovered the involvement of a diverse spectrum of individuals in facilitating drug trafficking, ranging from members of the political elite to community leaders and leaders of armed groups, further underscoring the multifaceted nature of this pressing issue.

The region's geographical position has rendered it a key transit point for the budding cocaine trade originating from South America en route to Europe, where demand for the illicit substance has similarly surged, according to reports . Nigeria has emerged as a crucial transit hub, forging growing connections with drug trafficking syndicates from South and Central America.

Taking the regional breakdown, the Sub-Saharan African region led the pack with 95,285 students, representing almost 24% of all foreign students in France. The report notes that this figure reflects a 34% increase over the past five years.

“The number of mobile students over the past five years coming from Sub-Saharan Africa has been progressing more quickly (+34%) than the number of students from North Africa (+10%). This may be partly due to the demographic boom in Sub-Saharan Africa,” a campus France spokesman said.

The North African region boasted 91,865 students, constituting 23% of all international students in France. Notably, Morocco and Algeria emerged as the top two countries of origin for students in France, maintaining their position ahead of China and Italy for the third consecutive year.

“Morocco, Algeria and China are still the three main countries of origin of international students in France, and 21 of the top 25 contingents of international students are increasing in 2022-23, with a particularly strong rise in the number of Italian, Spanish, Lebanese, Congolese and Indian students,” Campus France said.

France has emerged as a preferred choice for African students, driven by several factors including the relative ease of obtaining study visas, the quality-price ratio of universities compared to counterparts like the United States and the United Kingdom, and a demographic surge in sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing delegates at the summit, Adesina emphasized the detrimental effects of loans where countries pledge access to their natural resources, such as oil, in exchange for financial assistance. He argued that such agreements undermine the principles of transparency and equality within the global banking system.

“I think it's time for us to have debt transparency accountability and make sure that this whole thing of these opaque natural resource-backed loans actually ends because it complicates the debt issue and the debt resolution issue," Adesina said .

While resource-backed loans may seem like a lifeline for African nations with limited access to credit and capital, critics like Adesina caution against the potential pitfalls. Without stringent regulatory oversight, these loans could impose unfavourable terms, severely hampering a country's future revenues and access to credit.

"It may make sense if you actually use that money for the right things, but in most cases, there are no policy conditionalities," Adesina remarked, stressing the importance of responsible utilization of borrowed funds.

According to the Natural Resources Governance Institute, as of 2020, African countries had accrued up to $66 billion in resource-backed loans, primarily from Chinese and Russian state-owned institutions, as well as private entities like mining giant Glencore. Notably, the majority of these loans originated from the China Development Bank (CDB) and the China Exim Bank.

“The researchers identified 52 RBLs, 30 of which were taken by countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 22 in Latin America. They are distributed across 14 countries in the two regions. Thirty-eight were lent by Chinese policy banks; seven are from commodity traders; four are from other Chinese state-owned enterprises; one is from Korea Exim; one is from Nigeria; and one is from Russia's Rosneft. Forty-three of the loans are backed by oil, six by various minerals, two by cocoa, and one by tobacco. The total loan amount represented in the dataset is $164 billion, of which $66 billion went to Africa and $98 billion to Latin America,” the report read.

The suburbs of Ouagadougou, the capital city, have become a hub for strawberry farming, replacing traditional crops like cabbage and lettuce. This shift has changed the agricultural landscape and marked a top export to neighbouring countries.

According to Voice of America , strawberry farming has proven to be a profitable venture in Burkina Faso, with the crops bringing in approximately $3.3 million from 2019 to 2020. The industry thrives during the January to April season when strawberries are sold at a higher price than other fruits and vegetables, fetching around $5 per kilogramme.

"It's our red gold. It's one of the most profitable crops for both growers and sellers," explains market gardener Madi Compaore , who specialises in strawberries and trains local growers.

The cultivation of strawberries in Burkina Faso might seem surprising given its semi-arid climate. However, the practice dates back to the 1970s when a French expatriate introduced the crop. Since then, it has grown to lead the region's strawberry production, with an annual yield of about 2,000 tonnes.

Despite facing challenges such as jihadi violence and political instability, including the repercussions of two coups in 2022, strawberry production has remained robust. More than half of the produce is exported, particularly to Ivory Coast, Niger, and Ghana, where demand is constantly rising.

"We receive orders from abroad, particularly from Ivory Coast, Niger and Ghana," said Madi Compaore. "Demand is constantly rising and the prices are good."

According to a study by a Burkinabe agronomist, Dr. Korodjouma Ouattara , Sorghum, millet, and maize constitute the primary staple food crops cultivated across approximately 80% of the arable land of Burkina Faso.

According to the findings, happiness inequality surged by more than 50% across all age brackets in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, individuals aged 60 and above were identified as the least happy group in 70% of the African countries surveyed. However, in the latest data, this age group now represents the least happy segment in only about a third of the countries, suggesting that unhappiness has become increasingly prevalent among younger demographics.

The report highlighted that negative emotions are equally prevalent among males and females under the age of 30 in sub-Saharan Africa. However, as individuals age, women tend to experience a more pronounced decline in happiness compared to men. This observation underscores a concerning trend of worsening well-being among women as they grow older in the region.

Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia, and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, Prof. John F. Helliwell, said: “The broad country coverage and annual surveys of the Gallup World Poll provide an unmatched source of data about the quality of lives all over the globe. There are now enough years of data, going back to 2006, to enable us this year to plausibly separate age and generational patterns for happiness. We found some pretty striking results.”

“There is a great variety among countries in the relative happiness of the younger, older, and in-between populations. Hence, the global happiness rankings are quite different for the young and the old, to an extent that has changed a lot over the last dozen years,” said Helliwell.

Overall, the survey revealed that young people are the happiest demographic in 28 out of the 40 surveyed countries in Africa. This finding suggests that despite the overall increase in happiness inequality, there remains a significant portion of the youth population experiencing relatively higher levels of well-being.

The Gallup World Happiness Report serves as a tool for assessing and understanding the evolving landscape of happiness and well-being globally, providing insights to inform targeted interventions and policies aimed at fostering equity in societies around the world.

The highest scorer in the region is Seychelles (CPI score of 71), followed by Cape Verde (64), and Botswana (59). The lowest-performing countries are Equatorial Guinea (17), South Sudan (13), and Somalia (11) also the lowest-ranked in the world.

Liberia, which has seen a decline of 16 scores since 2016 to a current CPI score of 25, Mali, which has seen a decline of 7 scores since 2016 to a current CPI score of 28, and Gabon, which has seen a decline of 7 scores since 2015 to a current CPI score of 28, are the significant decliners in 2023.

Seychelles sits at the top again, this time as the significant improver up by 16 scores since 2015, followed by Angola, up by 14 since 2018 to a current score of 33, Tanzania up by 10 since 2015 to a current score of 40 and Ivory Coast up by 8 since 2015 and current score of 40.

Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria (CPI score of 25) ranks 145 th out of 180 nations globally while Benin, Ghana and Senegal are tied at 70 with a CPI score of 43.

According to the CPI, 180 nations and territories are ranked according to how corrupt the public sector is thought to be, with a score ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

The combined results of at least three data sources gathered from 13 distinct polls and evaluations of corruption determine each nation's score. Organisations such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, compile these data sources.

The Ghana government in 2023 introduced a 10% betting tax on all gamblers, and within a few months of implementation, the government of the West African nation reportedly raised $15 million with a $60 million projection by the end of the 2023/2024 football season, local media Citi News reported.

Nigeria has one of the biggest betting industries in the African continent. Over 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 gamble $5.5 million every day, pushing the country's betting sector over the $2 billion threshold in 2020, Orbit Technology reported in 2023.

But what are the effects of these statistics on the die-hard sports fan, who lives and breathes the game, and stands a chance to win a life-changing sum through sports betting?

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), gambling addiction is a growing public health concern, especially among youth who are exposed to various forms of gambling, such as sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling.

Some of the factors that contribute to gambling addiction in SSA include poverty, unemployment, lack of education, social pressure, and distorted beliefs about gambling as a source of income or entertainment, a 2022 research titled 'Gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: Traditional Forms and Emerging Technologies' indicated.

However, the thrill of potentially hitting the jackpot, winning a once-in-a-lifetime amount is the stuff of dreams. Sports betters cash out huge sums from earnings on sports matches every week.

The sports betting ecosystem has evolved into a different arena over the years with the emergence of online betting platforms. Certain sports betting 'gurus' and 'experts' are able to provide tips and betting odds to the average betting fan at a premium.

These 'gurus' operate like financial advisors and have established profitable entities out of the fanaticism of sports fans.

The supply chain in the betting industry now involves most sports fans paying for betting tips to place bets on matches they might or might not win.

The multiplicity of most sports franchises across the globe means there are more games than one can count. But for the betting man, there’s a lot of money to be made.

This growth only resulted in a marginal rise in the share of working-age individuals with wage jobs, increasing from 14% to 16%, according to the World Bank 2023 report.

Insufficient impact on poverty

The growth in the region has failed to significantly reduce extreme poverty or promote shared prosperity. SSA exhibits a lower responsiveness of poverty to growth spells compared to other regions.

The poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 per day declined slightly to 37.2% in 2023 from a COVID-19 peak of 37.6% in 2020. However, the number of people in poverty increased to 462 million, the World Bank reported.

Job creation lagging behind

Despite the need for the labour market in SSA to generate an estimated 18 million new jobs annually, only 9 million new jobs were created between 2000 and 2021, the IMF reported in 2023.

Population growth outpacing job creation

The IMF projects SSA's population to double from 1 billion to 2 billion by 2050, significantly intensifying the demand for jobs.

However, the current rate of job creation is insufficient, leading to higher unemployment rates. As of 2021, the average male and female unemployment rates in SSA were around 6.7% and 6.5%, respectively, slightly exceeding the global average of 6.36%, Statista reports. 

Imbalance fuels poverty

The imbalance between job creation and population growth contributes to high unemployment rates and poverty levels in the region.

The number of people in extreme poverty in Africa increased from 370 million in 2014 to 391 million in 2019, with projections indicating a further rise due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Almost 60% of the world's extremely poor reside in Africa, and 40% of Africa's poor are concentrated in four SSA countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Tanzania, the World Bank reports.