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.
The cost of accessing the Internet isn't the same everywhere. In Switzerland, 1GB of mobile data costs $7.29, the most expensive globally, while Nigeria stands at just $0.38, which is 15 times less than the cost in the United States ($6.00). Meanwhile, Israel offers the cheapest deal at only $0.02 per GB. There is a more moderate global average at $2.59.
Between 2018 and 2021, adult literacy rates across African nations exhibited significant disparities. Seychelles and South Africa led with literacy rates of 96% and 95%, respectively, indicating a high proportion of literate adults. Conversely, Chad had the lowest literacy rate during this period.
These statistics underscore the uneven progress in educational attainment across Africa, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve literacy in lower-performing nations.
The Global Innovation Index 2024 reveals a striking contrast in innovation performance between countries globally and across Africa. Switzerland leads the global rankings with an impressive score of 67.5, followed by Sweden (64.5) and the USA (62.4), highlighting their sustained investments in research, development, and technological advancement.
In Africa, Mauritius takes the top spot with a score of 30.5, followed closely by Morocco (28.8) and South Africa (28.3). However, even Africa's most innovative nations achieve less than half the score of global leaders, indicating a significant innovation gap.
Nigeria ranks 15th in the African ranking and 113th globally, out of 133 countries, with a score of 17.1.
The population of Nigerian-born immigrants in the US has more than doubled in nearly two decades, growing at an average rate of 4.8% per year.
By 2023, the number reached 476k, up from just under 200k in 2006 — a 141% growth.
Nigeria has been leading Africa in immigrant numbers in the US, ranking 22nd globally.
Rising immigrant numbers could strengthen remittance flows back to Nigeria.
The 2024 Global Peace Index reveals a decline in peacefulness in 97 countries, the highest since the index began.
Nigeria is among the nations affected by regional conflicts and rising violence. With a peace index score of 2.91, Nigeria is facing increasing challenges.
A deteriorating peace score impacts foreign investment and economic stability. Global economic losses due to violence reached $19.1 trillion in 2023.
Since 2011, over ₦32.8 trillion has gone to Nigeria’s state governors from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). States from the South East have received ₦3.3 trillion combined, the least nationwide.
This fund allocation is to ensure that all levels of government have the necessary funds to meet their financial obligations and to provide public services.
Data from Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics shows that the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) disbursed at least ₦32.8 trillion net to the 36 states and the FCT since 2011.
Five of Nigeria's oil-producing states — Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Lagos — have received 33.7% of the country's net federal allocation since 2011, with Delta State receiving the most. Kano, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Ondo complete the top ten.
Food prices have continued to increase as Nigeria's headline inflation hit 34.19% in June 2024, one of the highest globally.
Rising fuel costs are impacting transportation prices of goods and services, straining household budgets and contributing to inflation. The average cost of petrol in Nigeria has increased by 25% since July 2023. Diesel prices have seen an even sharper increase of 85%, rising from a national average of ₦794 in July 2023 to ₦1,462 in June 2024.
Nigeria's Federal Government and organised labour have recently agreed on a new minimum wage of ₦70,000, with a commitment to review the national minimum wage law every three years. In the 43 years since 1981, Nigeria's national minimum wage has only increased five times, averaging 8-9 years between each increase.
Regular reviews could help ensure that wage increases are gradual and predictable, thereby reducing economic shocks, maintaining pace with inflation, and purchasing power for workers.
Nigeria's per capita electricity production has fluctuated in the past two decades. In this time, production has remained within the range of 120 kWh to 194 kWh.
Here is a visual representation of the country's per capita electricity production since 2000.
On average, the agricultural sector contributed 24.87% to Nigeria's GDP over the past decade. However, the sector's contribution has been declining since 2020, dropping from 26.21% to 25.18% in 2023.
The sector’s contribution grew between 2014 and 2020, rising from 22.9% to 26.21%. The sector has been plagued with challenges over the past decade, with a couple of them becoming more intense in the past few years
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.
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.
