Nigeria held the top spot in global cashew production from 2001 to 2010. This highlights a period of strong agricultural output, though the country has since been overtaken by India and Côte d'Ivoire. In recent years, Côte d'Ivoire has emerged as the world’s leading cashew producer, holding the top spot for three consecutive years as of 2022. This shift highlights the country's growing role in global cashew production. India and Mozambique once dominated global production, with India leading for 35 of the past 62 years.
Madagascar, Burundi, and Mozambique lead Africa in female workforce participation, with rates above the global average of 48%.
The 2024 estimate ranks Nigeria 30th in Africa, with a female labour force participation rate of 52%.
At least 80% of adults in Madagascar, Tanzania, and Ethiopia who can work are employed or actively seeking jobs.
Across Africa, 63% of working-age people are engaged in the workforce. However, in Algeria, Morocco, and Djibouti, participation is below 45%.
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.
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%.
South Africa and Egypt generated 239 terawatt-hours (TWh) and 201 TWh of electricity, respectively, in 2022, accounting for a combined 50% of Africa's 881 TWh. These countries, along with Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria, accounted for 68% of the continent's total.
Despite being one of Africa's largest economies and having the continent's largest population, Nigeria's electricity generation has historically been lower than its potential.
A recent UNICEF report shows that 293m children worldwide did not have drinking water in their schools in 2023. Six African and four Asian countries make up the top ten, with Ethiopia and Nigeria occupying first and second positions, respectively, with 33.2m and 29m children.
The top five countries account for 42% of the total affected population.
Nine of the top ten countries with the highest rates of female child marriage are in Africa. Niger leads the list, with 76% of women aged 20 to 24 married or in union before 18.
Bangladesh is the only non-African country in the top ten, with a rate of 51%.
Nigeria has ranked the 102nd happiest country of 143 countries surveyed globally as of 2024; it ranked 11th of 40 African countries.
Libya ranked 66th globally and 1st in Africa, followed by Mauritius and South Africa in 70th and 83rd positions, respectively.
The World Happiness Report ranks happiness based on GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and corruption.
