The Africa Brief
Pages
Graphic of the Week Archive

Graphic of the Week Archive

Explore our Graphic of the Week archive, showcasing impactful visuals from previous editions of The Africa Brief. Each graphic highlights trends across Africa, from economic transformations to emerging technologies. Click on any image to visit the source or read more in the brief.

To contribute a graphic for future editions, please email us at [email protected]

The Urban Boom

This week, we bring you an oldie, but a goodie for the Graphic of the Week. Population growth and urbanization on full display. Africa in Brief - January 17, 2025

Africa’s Arteries

As the saying goes, “water is life,” so we thought we’d share this fascinating work of river art with you. Africa in Brief - December 13, 2024

Let’s Go to Africa!

Source: The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)

Africa welcomed 6% more international tourists between January to September 2024 compared to the same period in 2019, showing strong recovery and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Africa in Brief - December 6, 2024

How is This Even Possible?

Source: Axel Peyriere

African countries projected to gain the most people by 2100; China expected to see biggest decline. Africa in Brief - November 29, 2024

Africa's Economic Boom: Growth Soars, Wealth Lags

A colorful map of Africa highlighting GDP per capita for each country, with varying shades representing economic differences across the continent.

Source: Voronoi

Seychelles and Mauritius stand out for their luxury tourism and offshore financial sectors, as well as ranking highly on the UN’s Human Development Index. Africa in Brief - November 22, 2024

African Leaders’ Monthly Wages Vs National Minimum Wages

A comparison chart showing leaders' monthly wages compared to national minimum wages in the top 10 African economies.

Source: SBM Intelligence

There’s a disparity between wages earned by elected representatives and the minimum wages in the top 10 African economies. Africa in Brief - November 15, 2024

Remittances: Africa's Silent Economy

A visual highlighting $90 billion in remittances sent to African countries in 2023, supporting families across the continent.

Source: The Outlier

In 2023, remittances to African countries exceeded $90B, significantly impacting both families and economies. Africa in Brief - November 8, 2024

Harris or Trump? Does Africa Even Care?

A graph showing the significant decline in U.S. trade volumes with Africa since their peak in the mid-2000s.

Source: An Africanist Perspective. With the overlay of presidents by Renew Capital

U.S. trade volumes with Africa have significantly declined since their peak in the mid-2000s. During a similar period, Africa and China trade volumes have grown six times larger. Africa in Brief - November 1, 2024

There’s Something to be Said About Being the Underdog

A global map highlighting the most and least innovative countries by income level: high, upper-middle, lower-middle, and low income.

Source: Voronoi

Hint: No one sees them coming… Where is Africa getting more innovative? Africa in Brief - October 25, 2024

Bets on Where the Next AI Tech Hubs Will Be?

Map of subsea cables serving Africa, linked to Google and Microsoft investments in AI research and infrastructure for improved connectivity.

Source: FT

Google and Microsoft are investing in local AI research and infrastructure on the continent, including sub-sea cables to improve connectivity, sparking hope that Africa can harness AI to drive growth and development across the continent. Africa in Brief - October 18, 2024

FDI Inflows in Africa 2023

A chart showing top African countries for foreign direct investment in 2023, including Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

Source: Weaver Advisory on LinkedIn

Africa is positioning itself as a prime destination for global investment, with renewable energy projects and innovative startups driving sustainable economic growth. Africa in Brief - October 11, 2024

Where to Stretch Your Dollar in Africa

Graphic showing how $100 converts into the currencies of various African countries, highlighting spending power differences.

Source: This Week in Fintech

Here’s how $100 converts into local currencies across various African countries. Africa in Brief - October 4, 2024

The Source of Africa’s Power

A map showcasing the primary power sources in African countries, including gas, hydro, and oil.

Source: EnergyNow

600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity, but powering Africa is attracting investors. Africa in Brief - September 27, 2024

Africa’s Little AI Market Can Pack a Big Punch

A comparison of the estimated annual AI market value in Africa versus the global market.

Source: GSMA

Everyone around the world is watching the AI industry evolve and unfold. Many are mystified by its potential and how it actually works. Some of us are terrified. Africa in Brief - September 20, 2024

The Rise of Africa’s Population

A map illustrating Africa's population density alongside projections of population growth.

Source: X - Python Maps

Africa's population has soared from 283 million in 1960 to 1.5 billion today and is set to hit 2.5 billion by 2050. Africa in Brief: September 13, 2024

Wooing Africa: Beijing’s Bold Move

A graph showing a significant drop in Chinese loan commitments to African countries in recent years.

Source: Reuters

China continues to be Africa’s top trading partner and outpaces the U.S. and Europe in influence. Africa in Brief - August 30, 2024

The Cooking Smoke Hazard

Map showing deaths per 100,000 people caused by household air pollution from solid fuels in Africa in 2021.

Source: The Economist

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3.2 million people die prematurely each year from diseases caused by household air pollution. Africa in Brief - August 30, 2024

How News Travels Fast In Africa

Chart showing the share of the population in Africa that watches short online news videos weekly, January–February 2024.

Source: The Economist

As traditional media falters, YouTube has become a vital platform for news in Africa. Africa in Brief - August 23, 2024

Where are Africa’s Data Centers?

A map showing the distribution of data centers in Africa and their potential impact on AI development.

Source: Data Center Map

If no intervention occurs, Africa is expected to gain only $400M in added GDP as a result of AI due to poor connectivity and digital infrastructure. Africa in Brief - August 16, 2024

SSA and Its Crushing Debt…

Graph depicting rising debt-to-GDP ratios in Sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing 60%, a threshold considered high by the IMF.

Source: Reuters

In 2002, Africa's economic prospects were bright with debt relief from wealthy nations and soaring global demand for commodities. Then came sovereign credit ratings…Africa in Brief - August 9, 2024

Ethiopia Takes Major Step Forward: Floats Ethiopian Birr…

A graph illustrating the Ethiopian Birr's 23% drop against the U.S. dollar following economic liberalization efforts.

Source: Bloomberg

On July 29, the National Bank of Ethiopia introduced reforms to boost foreign reserves and promote investment. Banks can now trade foreign currencies at negotiated rates, ending the government-mandated exchange rate. Africa in Brief - August 2, 2024

Africa's $20B Sports Opportunity

Graphic showcasing the economic potential of Africa's sports market, projected to hit $20 billion in annual revenue by 2035.

Source: Oliver Wyman

Sports in Africa holds significant economic potential, with the sports market expected to reach $20B a year in revenue by 2035. Africa in Brief - July 26 Sports Edition

Africa’s Vaccine Opportunity

Visual showing Africa's limited share in global vaccine production compared to other regions.

Source: Data ONE

A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins University found that “for every $1 spent on immunization, $16 is saved in healthcare costs, lost wages and lost productivity due to illness.” Africa in Brief - July 19, 2024

The Hidden War on African Stability

A regional map detailing disinformation campaigns in Africa, with foreign state actors like Russia and China leading efforts.

Source: Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Disinformation campaigns in Africa have surged nearly fourfold since 2022, generating destabilizing and antidemocratic consequences. Africa in Brief - July 12, 2024

Are IMF Policies To Blame for Unrest?

Chart showing the IMF’s forecast for government debt as a percentage of GDP in African nations for 2024.

Source: FT

Kenya's anti-tax riots, sparked by a $2B tax bill, highlight anger towards the IMF's influence on fiscal policies. Africa in Brief - July 5, 2024

Digital ID: Boon or Big Brother

Graphic illustrating the potential of digital IDs to add up to 6% of GDP value in emerging economies by 2030.

Source: Renew Capital

In 2019, McKinsey published a report stating that by 2030, emerging economies could unlock between 3% and 13% of GDP if governments implemented digital ID systems. Africa in Brief - June 28, 2024

Africa’s Untapped Energy Potential?

Map showcasing Africa's pre-production gas reserves and potential solar farm capacity.

Source: Renew Capital

The continent sits on 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and is home to 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas. Africa in Brief - June 21, 2024

Wait, What? France Controls 14 Currencies?

Map showing countries in the CFA zone and their contribution to 10% of Africa’s GDP in 2022.

Source: Renew Capital

Pegged to the euro, the CFA Franc, created by France in 1945 to stabilize its African colonies' economies, remains in use in 14 countries in West and Central Africa. Africa in Brief - June 14, 2024

A 20 Year American Flop

Regional map comparing African countries with greater trade ties to the U.S. versus China.

Source: The Economist

In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative. Some say the strategy was aimed specifically at continuing to erode the United States’ global economic dominance. Africa, a crucial emerging market, saw a surge in Chinese investments. Africa in Brief - June 7, 2024

Investment Tip: Urbanization in Africa

Map showing seven African cities projected to reach 10 million people and become megacities by 2050.

Source: Statista

Four out of 10 of the world’s next megacities will be African by 2050. Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are expected to double in size by 2050. Africa in Brief - May 31, 2024

Will Africa “Fuel” the Global EV Boom?

hart showing Africa’s contributions to global reserves of cobalt, manganese, graphite, copper, nickel, and lithium.

Source: UNCT

It’s clear, the world’s need for critical minerals and the balance of related power is a serious problem for world peace and economic balance. Africa in Brief - May 24, 2024

Is Africa Really as Bad as This Makes it Look?

Map categorizing African countries into authoritarian regimes, hybrid regimes, flawed democracies, and full democracies.

Source: The Economist

According to the 2023 Democracy Index only 43 of the 70+ elections worldwide are expected to be fully free and fair. Africa in Brief - May 17, 2024

Africa Bounces Back

Graph showing African bond risk premiums at their lowest levels since early 2022.

Source: Bloomberg

In the first quarter, several sub-Saharan African nations are seeing lower borrowing costs, improved access to capital markets and currency stability as indicated by bond premium declines. Africa in Brief - May 10, 2024