From economic shifts to culinary revolutions, Africa’s dynamic stories keep unfolding this holiday season. This week, dive into Ghana’s political reset, Morocco’s record-breaking tourism (and medical test), Egypt’s inflation relief and more. Plus, discover how Kigali is turning into a global food hotspot, young women in Addis are skating and why Lagos nightlife feels a bit dimmer this year. 

A Quick Note: The Africa Brief will be taking a short break for the holidays, but we’ll be back in January, refreshed and ready to bring you the latest insights! As we look ahead to 2025, one of my hopes is to see meaningful progress on debt relief for Africa. Now, let’s dive in!

Africa Trivia

Graphic of the Week 

Africa’s Arteries

As the saying goes, “water is life,” so we thought we’d share this fascinating work of river art with you. While some of it was familiar, much of it was new to me:

1. Nile River: Recognized as the world's longest river, the Nile stretches over 6,800 kilometers (4,000 miles), traversing 11 countries. It has been a cornerstone of Egyptian civilization for over 5,000 years, providing essential resources such as fresh water, food and transportation (National Geographic Kids).

2. Congo River: The Congo River holds the title of the world's deepest river, reaching depths of approximately 220 meters (720 feet). Its basin encompasses the planet's second-largest rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of Africa," and plays a crucial role in carbon absorption (Live Science). 

3. Okavango Delta: Situated in Botswana, the Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland deltas. Rather than emptying into the sea, it fans out across the Kalahari Desert, creating a lush haven that supports a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, hippos and numerous bird species (National Geographic Education).

4. Zambezi River and Victoria Falls: The Zambezi River is home to Victoria Falls, one of the world's most expansive waterfalls, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke That Thunders." This natural wonder is also a significant source of hydroelectric power for Southern Africa (Wikipedia).

5. Niger River's Inland Delta: Located in Mali, the Niger River forms an extensive inland delta, creating rich wetlands that are crucial for agriculture and fishing. This region supports over 100 million people and sustains a vibrant cultural heritage (Wikipedia).

Too Long; Didn’t Read

• Egypt: Inflation eased to 25.5% in November, driven by lower food prices despite fuel and currency pressures (Bloomberg).

• Ethiopia: Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to negotiate a resolution over Ethiopia's sea access via Somaliland, with talks mediated by Turkey set to begin by February (FT).

• Ghana: Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama won the 2024 presidential election, eight years after his previous defeat (Reuters).

• Morocco: Welcomed 15.9 million tourists in 2024, marking a 20% increase from last year (Morocco World News); Startup Moldiag has begun producing Africa’s first mpox tests (AP News).

• Mozambique: Auction of its "tuna bonds" fleet failed to attract any bids due to ongoing political unrest and protests in the country (FT).

• Nigeria: Nigerian government short-term debt sales have drawn strong investor demand (Bloomberg).

• South Sudan: President Salva Kiir dismissed the army chief, police chief and central bank governor amid ongoing instability and internal discontent (Reuters).

Business & Finance in Africa 

G-20’s Debt Dilemma

• The ask: South Africa, as G-20 president, is calling for a review of the Common Framework for restructuring poor nations’ debt, labeling it too slow and inadequate.

• The stakes: Over 40% of African countries spend more on debt servicing than on health, with external debt surpassing $650B and servicing costs nearing $90B in 2024.

• The solution: South Africa urges multinational development banks to offer more concessional financing to reduce dependence on costly international debt markets.

• Read more: Bloomberg.

Ghana’s Debt Dilemma & Power Shift

• What happened: John Mahama, Ghana’s opposition leader, defeated Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the presidential election. Voters rejected the ruling party after years of economic hardship. Mahama will return to power after losing the election eight years ago. 

• Why it matters: Mahama’s win marks the fifth opposition victory in Africa this year, highlighting a wave of political change across the continent. Inflation, debt  and unemployment drove voters to demand new leadership.

• The challenge: Mahama will inherit $2B in debt repayments over four years, with no access to capital markets and inflation stuck at 23%.

• The stakes: Rising food prices, like banku and plantains, have fueled public anger, leading to Mahama’s comeback. 

• The path forward: To rebuild trust and avoid another IMF bailout, the new leader must tame inflation, boost tax revenues and cut wasteful spending. 

• Read more: Reuters and Bloomberg.

Egypt: Inflation Eases, Pound Weakens

• The news: Inflation in Egypt slowed to 25.5% in November, marking its lowest level since December 2022 and breaking a three-month upward trend.

• The context: Falling food prices (-1.9%) offset fuel and cigarette cost hikes, part of IMF-backed reforms to stabilize the economy.

• What’s next: Despite relief, the central bank is expected to maintain high interest rates at 27.25% as the pound trades at a record low of 50.5 per dollar.

• Read more: Bloomberg.

Kenya’s 2024 Growth Takes a Hit

• The outlook: The World Bank cut Kenya’s 2024 growth forecast to 4.7%, citing the worst performance since 2020 due to floods, protests and fiscal tightening.

• The challenges: Climate shocks, debt pressures, and missed revenue targets strain Kenya’s economy, undermining fiscal consolidation efforts.

• What’s next: To boost growth, Kenya must tackle governance issues, climate resilience and export productivity, per the World Bank report.

• Read more: Bloomberg.

Peace & Security in Africa 

Horn of Africa Talks

• The news: Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to start negotiations by February to resolve tensions over Somaliland and Ethiopia’s push for sea access, facilitated by Turkey.

• Why it matters: Somaliland’s autonomy and Ethiopia’s landlocked status have long been sources of conflict, inflaming regional tensions with Somalia, Eritrea and Egypt.

• What’s next: Talks aim to secure Ethiopia’s Red Sea access while respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity, potentially easing hostility.

• Read more: FT.

Health in Africa

Africa’s First Mpox Test

• The breakthrough: Moroccan startup Moldiag launched Africa’s first locally-made mpox test, priced at $5 and already shipped to countries like Uganda and Nigeria.

• Why it matters: The tests address Africa’s testing gaps and reduce reliance on imports, aligning with the AU’s push for self-reliance in health tools.

• What’s next: Moldiag plans rapid, lab-free tests to expand access in underserved areas, accelerating regional diagnostics.

• Read more: AP News.

Tech & Society in Africa

A Lagos Lament to Christmas Past

This FT article was my favorite read this week. I hope next year things look up throughout Nigeria:  In Lagos, the once-vibrant "Detty December" festivities have taken a hit, thanks to President Bola Tinubu's economic "shock therapy." The removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira have left the middle class clutching their wallets tighter than ever. Bars and clubs, previously buzzing with energy, now resemble ghost towns. Even on "Taco Tuesday," Bature Brewery, typically a hotspot, sees patrons scrutinizing menus like they're deciphering ancient scripts, all to find the most affordable cocktail. With bottled water priced at N1,000 and cocktails reaching N10,000, it's no wonder that spontaneous nights out have become relics of the past. As one fintech operations manager lamented, "You can't even come out to have a drink. Have you seen the cost of transport?" It seems Lagosians are swapping their dancing shoes for calculators this December. Read more at FT.

Morocco’s Tourism Soars

• The news: Morocco welcomed 15.9M tourists by November 2024, a 20% increase from 2023.

• Why it matters: Targeted efforts like new airline routes and global marketing campaigns fueled the growth, boosting Morocco’s global tourism ranking from 41st to 31st.

• What’s next: Morocco aims to enter the top 15 global tourist destinations, building on its record-breaking success.

• Read more: Morocco World News.

Girls Defy Norms

• The scene: In Addis Ababa, young women aged 15 to 22 gather weekly at Addis Skatepark to challenge gender norms in a male-dominated sport.

• The impact: Addis Girl Skateboarding (AGS) fosters skill, confidence and empowerment while collaborating with Ethiopia Skate to expand skateboarding access.

• The movement: AGS and similar groups like Ethiopian Girl Skaters create safe spaces for women, reshaping perceptions of gender roles in Ethiopian sports and public life.

• Read more of this beautiful story: Condé Nast Traveler.

Explorations in Africa

Kigali’s Culinary Revolution

• According to Condé Nast Traveler, Kigali is emerging as a dynamic food destination, blending local ingredients and global techniques led by chefs like Dieuveil Malonga at Meza Malonga.

• Rwanda’s context: Rwanda’s fertile land, safety and innovative chefs are drawing global attention, fueling a growing fine-dining and culinary tourism scene.

• What’s next: Chefs, investors and restaurateurs see Kigali as ripe for culinary innovation, making it a must-visit food capital in Africa. I agree! 

• Read more: Condé Nast Traveler.

Africa Trivia Response

Answer: B) Tanzania. Read More: Britannica.

P.S. We hope you enjoyed the Brief! Reach out if you have ideas or feedback ([email protected]).