Africa Trivia

Graphic of the Week 

The Rise of Sub-Saharan Africa: 1960-2020

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. The UN's World Population Prospects highlights Africa's rapid growth, driven by lower infant mortality and fertility rates.

• Population density varies: Mauritius leads with 640+ people per km², while larger nations like Nigeria are densely packed due to sheer numbers.

Africa's growing workforce presents a huge opportunity, but it hinges on investments in education and jobs to unlock its demographic potential.

TL; DR

• Algeria: 78-year-old Abdelmadjid Tebboune re-elected with 94.6% (FT).

• Angola: Earns $608.8M from diamond sales despite 20% production drop (Further Africa).

• Egypt: AngloGold to buy Centamin for $2.5B and take over Sukari mine (CNBCAfrica); inflation spikes after subsidy cuts (Bloomberg).

• Ethiopia: Urges Egypt to stop GERD aggression (BBC); Ethiopian Airlines launches daily flights to Port Sudan (Ethiopian Airlines).

• Ghana: Inflation drops to 20.4%, lowest in 29 months (Bloomberg); cocoa price hike aims to stop smuggling (Bloomberg).

• Kenya: Aviation workers strike at JKIA, protest Adani's 30-year deal (Bloomberg).

• Libya: Oil export shutdown lifts prices for Azeri, African and U.S. oil (Reuters).

• Mozambique: Blue Forest secures license for mangrove restoration (Further Africa).

• Namibia: Nampower partners with China to build a 100MW solar plant  (Bloomberg).

• Nigeria: Raises $900M in first dollar bond auction (Bloomberg); naira jumps 4.8% (Bloomberg).

• South Africa: Land Bank resumes debt payments after four-year default (Bloomberg).

• Tanzania: Orders probe into abductions after opposition leader's murder (Bloomberg).

Business & Finance in Africa 

Dangote Did It! Refines Nigerian Oil in Nigeria

• On September 3rd, Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s richest tycoons, announced that his $20B refinery in Nigeria has finally started producing petrol. 

• This could potentially ease Nigeria's chronic fuel shortages if the government allows market pricing.

• For decades, Nigeria’s petrol has been sold at artificially low prices due to a massive subsidy system. 

The Gas Facts: Nigeria is the 8th cheapest country in the world for gas. 

Countries with the Cheapest Gas:

Africa's Solar Energy Surge

• Namibia: Nampower partners with Chinese firms on a $89M, 100MW solar plant in Rosh Pinah, funded 80% by Germany's KfW. Completion expected in 2026, boosting energy independence (Bloomberg).

• Ghana: IFC backs funding for $1B solar project by LMI Holdings to increase solar capacity sevenfold by 2030, including Africa’s largest rooftop installation (16.8MW) (Bloomberg).

• Mali: In May, Mali began building West Africa’s largest solar plant with Russia's NovaWind, boosting electricity output by 10% (Energy Capital Power)

• South Africa: In January, Scatec launched Africa’s largest solar and battery plant, tackling the energy crisis and cutting 870,000 tons of CO2 yearly (Norfund).

• Africa’s solar capacity hit 13.5 GW in 2023, up 8% from 2022.

• Africa holds 60% of the world’s top solar resources but generates just 1% of global solar power.

• Fully harnessed, Africa’s solar potential could meet its energy needs and enable exports.

Health in Africa 

Drone Delivery in Africa is a Cold Rush

The FT reports this week how much tech is transforming healthcare in Ghana, improving vaccine access:

• In New Tafo Akyem, drones deliver yellow fever vaccines to remote clinics, overcoming infrastructure issues.

• mRNA vaccines need ultra-cold storage, challenging distribution in the global south.

• Drones maintain the "cold chain," reducing vaccine disparities after the unequal COVID rollout.

• An mRNA vaccine for mpox, tested in the UK, could defend against viral threats like flu and Ebola.

• New cooling and delivery systems aim to improve global vaccine access.

Peace & Security in Africa 

That Same ‘Ol Dam Story between Ethiopia and Egypt

The growing conflict over Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) has escalated, with Ethiopia criticizing Egypt's "aggressive approach." 

• Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile, claims Ethiopia's dam filling violates international law, citing colonial-era treaties granting it veto power. 

• Ethiopia sees the dam as crucial for development. 

• Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions persist, especially after Egypt recently formed a military alliance with Somalia in response to Ethiopia’s plans to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland - a part of Somalia that claims independence.  

• As the dam nears completion, Ethiopia's Prime Minister continues to warn against any attacks on the project.

Democracy in Africa

Kenya Asks Public to Shape Fiscal Reform

• Kenya’s finance ministry is seeking public input after a controversial tax law, aimed at raising $2.7B, was scrapped due to protests that heated up in June. Read more on this in our previous edition.

• The cancellation of the planned tax law widened the budget deficit and delayed IMF funding. 

• Finance Minister John Mbadi, appointed to stabilize the government, ruled out debt restructuring but invited public reform proposals by September 20. 

• He also hinted at possible tax cuts, including lower VAT and corporate tax, once the economy improves.

Europe in Africa

Russia Wins Friends and Influences People in the Sahel

• In an effort to boost its influence in Africa, Russia has intensified its media and cultural outreach through the newly established African Initiative, a propaganda organization linked to Russian Security Services. 

• The initiative is focusing its efforts on West African countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. 

• Utilizing media campaigns, press tours and local cultural events such as football tournaments and graffiti festivals, African Initiative aims to cement Russia’s presence and counteract Western influence.

• This strategy includes organized visits for African journalists to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and various community initiatives to foster a favorable image of Russia. 

• The push is part of a broader attempt to expand Russia’s presence in the region, capitalizing on political instability and growing disillusionment with Western allies.

Explorations in Africa

Africa’s Growth Mindset: They Moved from Coal to Code

• Enugu, once a thriving coal mining hub in southeastern Nigeria, faced economic decline after the collapse of the industry. 

• However, the city is now undergoing a revival, with investments in infrastructure, education and technology driving its transformation. 

• Positioned to become a knowledge and tech hub, Enugu is tapping into its young talent, lower cost of living and expanding digital infrastructure to foster growth. 

• Though it faces challenges such as limited startup resources, collaboration between the government, private sector and local startups is paving the way for the city's tech ecosystem to flourish, potentially producing major players in the years to come.

• Let’s hope the rest of Nigeria can catch on fast to Enugu’s strategy! 

Africa Trivia Answer

Answer: Pennsylvania.

Fact: Rwanda’s population of 13.6M is closest to Pennsylvania’s population of 13M people. However, Pennsylvania is 4.5x larger in terms of land area than Rwanda. 

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