Many African countries can't grow apples naturally due to unfavourable climate and the required chilling hours.
Despite this, Africa's share of global apple output has grown from 0.66% (1962) to nearly 4% in 2022, averaging 2.3% over 60+ years. South Africa has been the biggest contributor, but Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria also play key roles, with the top four countries making up 96% of Africa's total production in 2022.
Since 1961, South Africa has led Africa in apple production, consistently topping the charts.
Since the 2007/08 academic year, Nigeria has consistently held the top spot for the number of African international students in the US. Before this, Kenya and Egypt also led in certain periods.
This trend highlights the evolving landscape of African students pursuing education in the US over the decades.
Nigeria remains the leading African country of origin for students in the US, with over 20,000 enrolled this year.
Ghana, however, recorded the continent's fastest growth rate at 45%. This increase of over 2,900 students brought Ghana’s total to nearly 9,400, making it the second-largest source of African students in the US.
Nigeria also saw a 13.5% rise, adding more than 2,380 students year-over-year.
Overall, the number of students from African countries in the US grew by nearly 12% in the 2023/24 academic year.
From the early 1960s through the 1990s, Ethiopia's cattle population growth placed it at the forefront of African livestock rearers, holding the top position with millions of cattle.
This leadership continued into the 2000s, reflecting Ethiopia's robust cattle industry on the continent. Sudan managed to take the top position a few times, mostly around the 2000s.
However, Ethiopia quickly reclaimed the top spot. Nigeria's cattle population grew from about 6.03 million in 1961 to 20.9 million in 2022, claiming 6th position in Africa as of 2022.
Africa accounted for one-fourth of the global cattle population as of 2022.
Since 2015, Seychelles has topped Africa's GDP per capita rankings because of its strength in tourism and fishing.
Libya, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa have also occupied the top spot since 1960.
Watch how the countries vied for the top ten spots over the years.
Argentina's inflation rate dropped to 209% in September 2024 from 237% in August, slightly easing costs. Despite this, the South American country still has the highest inflation rate of the 184 countries and territories ranked.
Nigeria's inflation rate stands at 32.7%, ranking 9th globally and 4th in Africa after South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
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.
With an average growth rate of 10.51%, the number of active Internet subscribers in Zimbabwe increased from 3.95 million in 2012 to 11.24 million in 2023. In contrast, the number of new mobile subscribers increased by just 2.36 million over 12 years.
In the same time, the population and active mobile subscribers of the southern African nation grew at average rates of 2.10% and 1.82%, respectively.
