Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, covering about 30.3-million square kilometres and home to more than 1.4-billion people as of 2023. The continent comprises 54 recognised sovereign states and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east and the Red Sea to the north-east. Africa straddles the equator and encompasses diverse climatic zones, from tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin to the Sahara Desert in the north and the Kalahari Desert in the south. The continent is extraordinarily rich in natural resources, including significant deposits of gold, diamonds, platinum, copper, cobalt, oil and natural gas, which underpin much of its mining and energy sectors. Africa's economy is characterised by a mix of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services, with infrastructure development, energy access and water provision remaining critical challenges across many regions. The continent has experienced rapid urbanisation and population growth, driving demand for electricity, transport networks and sanitation systems. Major regional economic communities include the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States. Africa's business landscape is shaped by both established markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya, and emerging economies seeking to attract foreign investment and diversify their industrial bases. Climate change, political stability and governance remain key factors influencing economic development and infrastructure investment across the continent.
Africa Updates
Beyond AGOA: Building a more resilient South African export strategy
Updated 7 hours ago The prospect of South Africa losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) understandably raises concerns. Preferential... →
Russia’s Africa paradox: growing influence, limited returns
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 5th November 2026 Even as Moscow’s engagement deepens, African governments increasingly treat Russia as one among several partners – not an indispensable ally. At... →
Country Focus Report 2026 - Ethiopia - Mobilizing Ethiopia’s Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World
3rd November 2026 Ethiopia’s economy rebounded strongly, growing by 9.8% in FY2024/25, supported by industrial recovery, export expansion, easing inflation, and... →
Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) - Annual Report 2025
3rd November 2026 This report outlines SEFA's progress during the period January to December 2025. 2025 was another strong year for SEFA, with USD 97-million... →
African countries face rising economic risks: six ways they can navigate global uncertainty
30th October 2026 The current global economic situation is confusing. On the one hand it’s characterised by inflation, and food and other critical supply shortages... →
African states must help write the rules at the first BBNJ COP
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 30th October 2026 Africa can shape implementation rules at the first Conference of the Parties in January, but only if delegations prepare and coordinate. The... →
Appian targets about $2bn for Africa but warns policy risk is driving capital away
By: Reuters 28th October 2026 Appian Capital Advisory plans to deploy $5-billion to $7-billion globally over the next 12 to 24 months, with roughly $2-billion for Africa, CEO... →
Study shows African countries competitive for data centre construction
By: Schalk Burger 27th October 2026 Africa is one of the most competitive markets in which to build data centres, and Lagos, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Nairobi have all seen... →
What gets fact‑checked? How politics shapes the answer in four African countries
26th October 2026 Every couple of years, the same false stories come back. A claim that an election was rigged before a single vote was cast. An old video of... →
South Africa shows strength in laws, competitiveness in Chandler Good Government Index
By: Sabrina Jardim 23rd October 2026 South Africa has ranked eighty-fifth out of 133 countries globally in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, and sixth among the 35 African... →
