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Post-pandemic trade reset lifts China–Africa exports to a record $225bn in 2025
  • Exports more than doubled in a decade, with trade rising from $92.27 billion in 2016 to $225 billion in 2025, a 144% increase.
  • The largest single jump occurred between 2020 and 2021, when exports surged by more than $34 billion.
  • From 2021 to 2024, exports climbed every year, reaching $178.91 billion before the latest surge.
  • The increase from $178.91 billion in 2024 to $225 billion in 2025 signals a new growth surge after several years of gradual increases.

The Nigerian Army commands over half of Nigeria’s proposed 2026 defence budget, more than every other force combined
  • The Army has been allocated ₦1.50tn, more than half of the top-ten defence allocations, making it the backbone of Nigeria’s security spending.
  • The Navy (₦443.9bn) and Air Force (₦407.2bn) come next, but together they are far behind the Army.
  • Institutions like the Defence Intelligence Agency, Training and Doctrine Command, and Defence Missions receive meaningful but much smaller funding, reinforcing their support-role status.
  • The Defence Space Administration (₦37.3bn) is on the table, but its small size shows Nigeria is only cautiously stepping into cyber- and space-based security.

Finance, budget, and economic planning ministries command half of Nigeria’s 2026 top allocations
  • The Federal Ministry of Finance dominates with ₦16.78 trillion, accounting for nearly ₦1 in every ₦3 spent among the top ministries.
  • Combined, the ministries of Finance and Budget & Economic Planning control more than 50% of the listed allocations, underscoring the government’s focus on fiscal strategy and economic agenda.
  • The Works and Defence sectors rank third and fourth, reflecting continuous prioritisation of infrastructure development and national security.
  • Education and Health, while critical, receive smaller shares, signalling potential pressure points in human capital development funding

Mauritius ranks 15th globally, securing the number-one spot in Africa on the economic freedom index
  • Mauritius is the continent’s strongest performer by a wide margin, leading with a score of 75, and ranking 15th globally.
  • Botswana and Cape Verde are the only other African countries with a score close to 70, placing them within the global top 40.
  • Most of Africa’s top 15 countries score between 56 and 60, indicating moderate levels of economic freedom.
  • Even Africa’s highest performers trail global leaders, showing persistent gaps in rule of law, regulatory efficiency, and open-market conditions.

Presidential air fleet budget falls 15% after 2024 peak
  • Allocation declined by ₦290 m from ₦6.16bn in 2025 to a proposed ₦5.87bn in 2026.
  • The change represents a 4.7% year-on-year reduction in funding.
  • Despite the decline, allocations remain broadly flat, with no major expansion in 2026.
  • The 2026 figure is still a proposal, and actual funding figures may change after legislative review.

97% of businesses in Kogi are aware of Nigeria's 2025 tax reform, while 99% in Abia are not
  • Kogi entrepreneurs have the highest tax policy awareness in Nigeria (96.8%) in 2025.
  • Abia has the lowest awareness nationwide at just 1.4%.
  • Fewer than one-third of Nigerian states have awareness levels above 60%.
  • Major economic hubs like Lagos and Rivers have awareness below 50%.
  • Northern states dominate the top awareness rankings more than southern states.
  • Several states cluster around the 40–50% range, indicating partial reach.
  • States with low awareness risk lower compliance and higher friction during enforcement.
  • The gap between the highest and lowest states exceeds 95 percentage points, showing extreme disparity.

10 Nigerian states and the FCT cut their external debt by a combined $227.19 million in H1 2025
  • Ten states and the FCT collectively reduced their external debt by $227.19 million in H1 2025.
  • Lagos, Edo, and Rivers accounted for most of the reductions, making up more than three-quarters of the total.
  • Several smaller states also trimmed their balances, but by relatively modest amounts.
  • These reductions significantly offset the increases recorded by 26 other states, helping keep nationwide net external debt growth low.

Agricultural products led Kenya’s 2024 export economy, with coffee, tea, and spices generating $1.7 bn
  • Agriculture dominated Kenya’s exports, with coffee, tea, and spices alone contributing $1.7 billion, the largest single export category.
  • Mineral fuels were a surprisingly strong second, delivering $1.1 billion, and showing Kenya’s growing role in regional fuel distribution.
  • Horticultural exports (flowers, live plants, and trees) contributed $790 million, reinforcing Kenya’s global strength in floriculture.
  • All other export categories fall below $300 million individually, reflecting a long list of small but diverse export segments such as textiles, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.

Mining led South Africa’s 2024 exports with 18.7%, as gems and precious metals generated over $20 bn
  • Gems and precious metals were the largest single export category, contributing $20.6 billion.
  • Ores and industrial minerals followed closely with $17.2 billion, showing the country’s reliance on mining.
  • Vehicles and machinery were significant non-mineral exports, with a combined $18.3 billion.
  • Agricultural and light industry products like fruits, nuts, and beverages contributed modestly, strengthening mining and manufacturing’s position as the core export drivers.

Cocoa accounted for 4.6% of Nigeria’s 2024 exports, making it the country’s second-largest export after oil
  • Mineral fuels (including crude oil) accounted for $49.3 billion, or 86.8% of total exports in 2024.
  • Non-oil exports remained marginal, with the second-largest item, cocoa, contributing only 4.6%.
  • Fertilisers, ores, slag, ash, and oilseeds collectively made up less than 5%, indicating limited diversification.
  • All other export categories each contributed 1% or less, underscoring Nigeria’s narrow export base.

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