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
Does EU aid promote EU exports?
25th September 2026 EU development cooperation delivers for both donors and partners The next EU budget offers an opportunity to play a leading role in the fight... →
Cybercrime across borders: navigating Africa’s fragmented legislative landscape
21st September 2026 By the time you reach the end of this sentence, a cyberattack will have been launched somewhere on the African continent. That is not an... →
Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks 
By: Bloomberg 21st September 2026 African central banks from South Africa to Egypt are poised to keep their interest rates high for longer, seeking to shield their economies from... →
SA: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa: Address by Minister of Electricity and Energy on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the African Green Hydrogen Summit 2026, Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town (16/09/2026)
18th September 2026 This Summit showcases innovation, investment and collaboration in a sector that is set to change the trajectory of industrial development. With... →
Cybercrime across borders: Navigating Africa’s fragmented legislative landscape – Part 2
18th September 2026 In Part one of this series, we detailed the disparity amongst the African countries in mainly Southern Africa and the various approaches to... →
Cybercrime across borders: Navigating Africa’s fragmented legislative landscape – Part 1
18th September 2026 By the time you reach the end of this sentence, a cyberattack will have been launched somewhere on the African continent. That is not an... →
When the clock starts ticking... Why cross-border data breach response demands more than good intentions
18th September 2026 Picture this… A retailer with operations spanning southern and eastern Africa discovers on a Friday evening that a threat actor has exfiltrated... →
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
17th September 2026 The global race for critical minerals is entering a new phase. No longer defined solely by access to mineral reserves, it is increasingly being... →
African Union peacekeeping is growing as UN missions decline: research finds a mixed record of success
15th September 2026 When violent conflict erupts in Africa, attention often turns to the United Nations, major powers, or external donors. Yet over the past two... →
New world map makes Africa look bigger: what’s the fuss about? Cartographers explain
14th September 2026 The UN has passed a non-binding resolution to endorse the Equal Earth Projection, a map which more fairly represents the true size of the Earth’s... →
