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  • 10.7 million US non-immigrant visas were issued in 2023, 36% more than in 2022, with Mexicans receiving nearly 23% of the total. The top five countries received more than half of the total issuances. Nigeria — 15th on the list — received 1%.

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    In 2023, 1.17 billion smartphones were shipped globally. Samsung and Apple maintained their stronghold on the smartphone market, collectively accounting for 38%, with each brand capturing 19%.

    Xiaomi maintained a 12% share after peaking at 14% in 2021. Apple's market share shows a gradual increase from 2020, reaching 19% in 2022 and 2023.

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  • A Trend of Adult literacy rates of African countries

    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.

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    Inflation rate in Nigeria increased to 31.7% in February 2024. Nigeria has the 13th highest inflation rate out of 186 countries and territories as of February 2024.

    The data showcases Argentina leading with 276%, followed by Lebanon and Syria. Seven of the top fifteen are African.

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  • 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.

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    Top ten African countries by estimated number of films produced annually

    The Nigerian movie industry, mainly financed via public or private funding and international grants, produces the most films in Africa, yearly. Nigeria produced more than double the number of films that the Ghanaian and Kenyan movie industries produce annually.

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  • 23 African countries are in one phase or the other in launching a digital currency
    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.
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  • Only 10% of Nigerians earn above ₦100,000, according to the Nigerian Financial Services Market Report. This aligns with most reports about Nigeria, and it's in sharp contrast to the narratives online.
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  • A Trend of Adult literacy rates of African countries

    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.

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Other Insights
 
  • 66.6% of inmates (53,408) are awaiting trial, meaning 2 out of every 3 prisoners have not been convicted. This highlights major delays in the justice system, leading to prolonged detention without sentencing.
  • Male inmates dominate the prison population at 97.7%, with similar trends in both convicted (98.3%) and awaiting trial (97.4%) categories, highlighting a significant gender disparity in detention rates.
  • Only 33.4% of inmates (26,775) have been convicted, while the majority remain in legal limbo. This suggests that slow judicial processes are contributing to prison overcrowding and potential human rights concerns.
  • 75.4% of female inmates (1,399 out of 1,855) are awaiting trial, meaning only 1 in 4 female prisoners has been convicted
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  • The NGX premium board accommodates an elite list of companies that meet specific requirements
  • Six of the eight companies are audited by EY and KMPG, with each firm auditing three companies
  • PwC audits the remaining two companies on the premium board
  • Deloitte is the only big four firm that does not audit a premium board company
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  • Listed banking groups in Nigeria are all audited by the big four
  • KPMG is the top auditor for the industry, auditing five companies
  • Deloitte audits four companies, close behind KPMG
  • EY and PwC audit three of the five tier one banks
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Nigeria's gross external reserves (2005 - 2024)
 
  • External reserves hit a peak of $53 billion, a level that hasn’t been reached since.
  • Reserves have moved between $27 billion and $43 billion in the last decade.
  • At $27 billion, 2016 was the most challenging period, coinciding with an economic recession and foreign exchange crises.
  • Reserves rebounded after 2016, reaching as high as $42.6 billion in 2019.
  • With $39.3 billion in reserves as of September 2024, Nigeria is in a stronger position than in some past years but still below historical highs.
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  • The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Guinea had the most stable electricity supply from 2000 to 2021.
  • Cape Verde experienced the highest electricity fluctuations, with values ranging from 2981.5 kWh/person to 7692.9 kWh/person.
  • Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Mali, and Cape Verde had the most unstable electricity supply, with significant year-to-year variations.
  • Nigeria’s electricity supply averaged 2161.7 kWh/person but remained highly inconsistent, fluctuating between 1250.4 and 2707.9 kWh/person.
  • Mali had the lowest electricity availability among unstable nations, averaging 757.4 kWh/person, with a drop as low as 350.7 kWh/person.
  • Countries with stable electricity had lower fluctuations, with The Gambia leading at 957.8 kWh/person and Guinea reaching 1110.8 kWh/person.
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  • Ghana's under-5 mortality rate at 42.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, still higher than the SDG target of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.
  • Cape Verde achieved the most dramatic reduction in under-5 mortality rates, cutting its rate by over 93%, from 174.8 in 1960 to 12.3 in 2022, the lowest in West Africa.
  • Sierra Leone had the highest under-5 mortality rate in 1960, at 390.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, marking it as one of the most challenging places for child survival in the region at the time.
  • Liberia experienced a troubling increase in under-5 mortality rates during the 1980s, peaking at 263.8 in 1990, a period marked by civil war and economic instability.
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  • Cabo Verde maintained relatively stable unemployment rates, averaging around 13% from 1991 to 2015.
  • Nigeria's unemployment rate climbed to 5.742% in 2020, marking an increase compared to previous years.
  • Burkina Faso saw a sharp rise in unemployment, reaching 5.389% in 2022, the highest in its recorded history.
  • Niger experienced extreme unemployment fluctuations, with a peak of 3.1% in 2005 and a drastic drop to 0.316% in 2011.
  • Ghana experienced its highest unemployment rate of 10.456% in 2000.
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  • The United States holds the strongest military globally, with a Firepower Index of 0.0744, reflecting its superior military resources and capabilities.
  • Russia and China are tied with 0.0788, showcasing their comparable and highly advanced military strengths.
  • India ranks fourth with 0.1184, solidifying its position as a major military power in Asia.
  • South Korea and the United Kingdom follow closely, with 0.1656 and 0.1785, respectively, highlighting their robust defense systems.
  • France, Japan, Turkiye (Turkey), and Italy round out the top 10, with Firepower Indexes ranging from 0.1839 to 0.2164, demonstrating their significant military influence on the global stage.
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Average number of collateral-backed debtors of financial institutions in Nigeria (2017 - 2024)
 
  • The number of collateral-backed debtors fell by almost 50% from 2017 to 2018
  • The number of debtors began increasing consistently from 2019 to 2021
  • The highest post-2018 debt level was recorded in 2023, reaching 7,390, which is close to pre-2018 figures.
  • The decline in 2018 could indicate cautious borrowing or stricter regulations, while the rise afterward suggests a possible easing of credit access.
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Nigeria's Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue collection in USD (2013 - 2023)
 
  • VAT revenue in naira has consistently grown over the years, hitting an all-time high of ₦3.64 trillion in 2023.
  • The dollar value of VAT revenue declined despite the increase in naira terms, dropping from $5.88 billion in 2022 to $5.44 billion in 2023.
  • Over the last decade, VAT revenue in naira has grown at an impressive CAGR of 20.18%, while its dollar value grew at a much lower 5.48%, showing the impact of currency devaluation.
  • 2023 saw one of the largest year-on-year increases in VAT revenue in naira, but the corresponding drop in dollar value indicates that exchange rate volatility are eroding real revenue gains.
  • Nigeria’s revenue collection efforts are improving, but the decline in dollar value highlights the need for economic stability and currency strength.
  • This trend reflects a broader issue in Nigeria’s economy - higher local earnings do not necessarily translate into increased global purchasing power.
  • With VAT being a major non-oil revenue source, policymakers must focus on stabilizing the exchange rate to maximize the real impact of revenue growth.
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China LNG imports from top countries (2021 vs 2023)
 
  • China's total LNG imports dropped by over 55%, from $44 billion in 2021 to $19.4 billion in 2023, showing a significant reduction in demand and a shift in sourcing.
  • Australia, which was China’s largest LNG supplier in 2021 ($16.3 billion), is no longer among the sources in 2023, signaling a shift in China’s energy diversification strategy.
  • Russia and Turkmenistan have emerged as dominant suppliers in 2023, with Turkmenistan leading at $9.61 billion and Russia following at $6.44 billion
  • The U.S. has nearly disappeared from China's LNG market, dropping from $6.22 billion in 2021 to just $52,400 in 2023, a staggering 99.99% decline, likely due to geopolitical tensions and trade policies.
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POS payments method in Nigeria (transaction value %), 2023 and 2027
 
  • Digital wallets are the fastest-growing POS payment method in Nigeria, projected to rise from 18% in 2023 to 37% in 2027.
  • Cash transactions, though still dominant, are steadily declining from 55% to 42%, reflecting a gradual shift towards digital payments.
  • Debit card usage is decreasing from 12% to 8%, possibly due to the convenience of digital wallets and A2A transfers.
  • Prepaid and credit cards remain stable, each holding a minor share of Nigeria’s POS transactions.
  • POS financing remains a niche payment method, with no significant growth expected between 2023 and 2027.
  • Nigerian consumers are prioritizing speed, convenience, and security in their transactions, pushing digital payments to the forefront.
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  • Rashidi Yekini remains Nigeria’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 58 appearances — a record that has stood for over two decades.
  • Victor Osimhen now ranks 2nd, overtaking Segun Odegbami by scoring 26 goals in just 40 matches.
  • Segun Odegbami, now 3rd, recorded 23 goals in 46 appearances during his time with the national team.
  • Among the top scorers, Osimhen has the best goals-per-game ratio, scoring 0.65 goals per game, compared to Yekini’s 0.69 and Odegbami’s 0.50.
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Key Takeaways:
  • South Africa’s outstanding debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased from SDR 3.05 billion in March 2023 to SDR 762.8 million by March 2025.
  • The debt level remained unchanged at SDR 3.05 billion through the first three quarters of 2023.
  • Starting in December 2023, South Africa began making consistent quarterly repayments of SDR 381.4 million.
  • This trend demonstrates steady progress in debt reduction and a strengthened commitment to fiscal discipline.
  • The country is potentially on track for full repayment of its debt by the end of 2025.
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Key Takeaways:
  • Between 2016 and 2020, Kenya's debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined steadily by 59%, from SDR 609.8 million to SDR 249.9 million.
  • This downward trend reversed dramatically after 2020, with public debt rising to SDR 3.02 billion by March 2025.
  • The most significant annual increase occurred between 2020 and 2021, when debt jumped by 178%.
  • The lowest recorded debt level during the study period was in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell to approximately SDR 250 million.
  • Kenya’s IMF debt grew more than elevenfold (1,109%) from its 2020 low to its 2025 peak.
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Key Takeaways:
  • Soybeans topped the US' agricultural exports in 2024, followed by corn and beef.
  • The top 10 agricultural commodities made up 56.6% of the total value of the US' agricultural exports.
  • Plant-based exports (soybeans, corn, tree nuts, soybean meal, wheat) contributed over 34% of the total agricultural export value.
  • The combined value of the top 10 exports exceeded $99.73 billion.
  • Animal proteins (beef, pork, and poultry) together represented 13.9% of total US agricultural exports.
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  • Over 36% of candidates earned a Second Class Lower.
  • One in every 27 candidates achieved a First Class Honours.
  • More than 16% secured a Second Class Upper.
  • 181 candidates were absent for the exam, roughly 2.5% of the total.
  • 327 candidates earned a Conditional Pass, requiring further requirements for full qualification.
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  • The Netherlands led with 18.6% of South Africa’s citrus exports in 2023.
  • The U.S. accounted for 5.8% of South Africa’s citrus exports, a small share compared to Europe and UAE.
  • South African citrus exports to the U.S. in 2023 was valued at $141 million.
  • Other markets, like the UK and UAE, played a larger role in South Africa’s citrus trade.
  • Market diversity may reduce the impact of the trending U.S. tariff on South Africa’s overall citrus export.
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