Between 2000 and 2023, Africa received $182 billion in Chinese loans, primarily for energy and transportation development.
Angola, with 25%, was the largest recipient; Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya followed.
While 49 countries benefited, experts warn of increasing debt risks.
Africa's sanitation crisis is alarming, with 17 of the top 20 countries having the highest open defecation rates.
Eritrea (67%), Niger (65%), and Chad (63%) lead, putting millions at risk of disease.
Even Nigeria, the most populous African country, has 18% of its population practising it.
Over the past six decades, African economies have experienced both rapid growth and severe contractions.
Nigeria and South Africa, often considered the continent’s economic heavyweights, have consistently ranked among Africa's top three economies since 1960.
North African Libya, Algeria and Egypt have also been in the top three in the period.
As of 2023, Egypt led the continent's GDP rankings.
According to 2022 and 2023 data for 40 African countries, Egypt leads in the value of manufacturing output reaching $59.6 billion in 2023 despite a 21% drop from 2022.
Nigeria follows with $55.7 billion, while South Africa comes third with $48.8 billion.
In 2023, South Africa led Africa's exports with a value of $110.7 billion, nearly double Nigeria's $60.7 billion. Key exports include gems, vehicles, and mineral fuels.
The top 15 African exporters contribute 84% to the continent's trade, with South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt leading with a combined 52%.
WhatsApp Business generated an estimated $39.5 million from Africa in 2023, representing 10.3% of its global revenue.
Estimates from Statista show that Asia was the leading contributor to WhatsApp Business' revenue, with $155.2 million.
Here is a breakdown of WhatsApp Business' revenue by region in 2023.
About 28,844 TWh of electricity was generated globally in 2022. Driven by industrial growth and large populations in countries like China and India, Asian countries collectively accounted for 56%. North America and Europe followed, with 5,432 TWh and 4,731 TWh, respectively.
Africa generated less than 900 TWh, with key contributions from South Africa and Egypt. Oceania, primarily led by Australia, produced 330 TWh.
Senegal's cancellation of its experiment with an eCFA in 2016 makes Nigeria's eNaira the only active Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Africa. Half of the countries in Africa are currently not doing anything about CBDC, while a larger share of the other half is currently in the research phase.
As of 2021, there were 400 fully electric vehicles sold in Africa, which is expected to reach 2,200 by 2027. By 2027, Africa will only account for approximately 0.02% of fully electric vehicles sold worldwide.
Global sales of electric vehicles are projected to hit 13.33 million by 2027, up from 4.6 million in 2021, indicating a significant increase in the shift from petroleum product-powered vehicles to electronic ones.
Nigeria was the seventh most populous nation in the world in 2020, with 206.1 million people. Projected to reach a population of 401.3 million by 2050, Nigeria will rank third after India (1st) and China (2nd). According to Institut national d'études démographiques' projections, Nigeria, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Egypt, Tanzania, and Kenya will be among the world’s top 20 most populous countries by 2050.
