• “Google” was the top search globally in 2024 with an index score of 100.
• “You” ranked unexpectedly high at 87, signalling odd but high-frequency global queries.
• YouTube held the 2nd spot with a score of 88, showing its continued dominance in media consumption.
• Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook tied at 52, reinforcing their centrality in digital life.
• Google Translate (49) was a widely used tool, reflecting global interconnectedness.

• English alone accounts for nearly half of all global web content at 49.40%, setting the tone for internet communication.
• The next three languages—Spanish, German, and Japanese—combined make up just 16.6%, highlighting the wide gap in representation.
• Despite having a massive native-speaking population, Chinese is used in only 1.20% of websites.
• Portuguese, spoken across several continents, represents just 3.80% of internet content.
• Even major European languages like French and Russian contribute less than 5% each to global web content.

• Females lead in monthly usage of health/fitness websites/apps globally across all age groups.
• Average female usage is 24.45%, consistently higher than male usage in each age bracket.
• Women aged 35–44 are the most engaged, with 28.6% using health or fitness platforms monthly.
• Male usage peaks early, at 22.1% (ages 25–34), then steadily declines with age.
• Engagement among women aged 45–64 remains strong, pointing to long-term wellness interest beyond just youth fitness trends.

• iPhone was the most searched shopping query globally in 2024.
• Half of the top 12 search queries were phone-related, showing phones dominated online shopping interest.
• iPhone (100) and Samsung (88) were highly searched, signalling active consumer comparison between phone models.
• Nike (84) and Adidas (46) maintained strong brand appeal in fashion and retail.
• Amazon (52) ranked high despite being a platform, not a specific product.
• Apple (30) appeared lower in rank than specific Apple products, suggesting searchers prioritised items over brand pages.
• Laptops (21) remained a significant product category globally, despite mobile dominance.

Key Takeaways:

• Africa’s sesame seed oil production grew from 23,706 tonnes in 1961 to 217,048 tonnes in 2022, an overall increase of 815%.
• The highest production was recorded in 2012, with an output of 375,697 tonnes, which is more than 15 times the 1961 volume.
• Between 1961 and 2012, production rose by 1,484.8%.
• The largest single-year increase occurred between 1969 and 1970, when production jumped from 41,456 tonnes to 101,472 tonnes.
• After reaching its peak in 2012, production experienced notable fluctuations, settling at 217,048 tonnes by 2022.
• The sharpest annual decline occurred in 2013, with a 38.6% drop following the 2012 peak.

Key takeaways:

• Over the past six decades, global wine production has remained relatively stable, averaging around 28 million tonnes annually.
• Wine production increased from 21.5 million tonnes in 1961 to 27.4 million tonnes in 2022.
• The highest production was recorded in 1979, reaching 37.5 million tonnes.
• The second-highest year was 1982, with a production of 37.4 million tonnes.
• Wine production exceeded 30 million tonnes in ten different years between 1961 and 2022.
• Between 2000 and 2022, production was consistently stable, averaging about 27 million tonnes.
• The 2022 production of 27.4 million tonnes represented a 27.3% increase compared to 1961.

Key Takeaways:

• African wine production peaked in 1965 at 2.39 million tonnes, the highest level recorded during the entire period.
• The most dramatic single-year drop occurred between 1965 and 1966, when production fell by 40%, from 2.39 to 1.44 million tonnes.
• A gradual recovery began in the early 2000s, with production consistently exceeding 1 million tonnes from 2003 onward.
• The most recent peak occurred in 2021, with production reaching 1.23 million tonnes, a 48.5% decline from the 1965 high.
• Despite this partial recovery, current production levels remain well below the highs of the 1960s.
• As of 2022, African wine production stood at 1.16 million tonnes, representing a 43% decrease from 1961.

Key Takeaways:    

• China’s exports to Nigeria increased from less than $100 million in 1992 to $20.2 billion in 2023, an overall growth of 22,074%.
• The highest export value was recorded in 2022 at $22.3 billion.
• China's exports to Nigeria dropped sharply in 2016 to $9.7 billion from $15.39 billion in 2014.
• After a sharp 29% decline between 2015 and 2016, exports entered a period of sustained growth beginning in 2017.
• The 2020–2022 period saw remarkable growth, with exports rising by 33% despite global pandemic challenges.
• In 2023, exports declined by 9.5%, yet remained significantly above pre-pandemic levels.

• 87.2% of startup deal value in Francophone Africa in 2024 came from equity funding.
• Debt financing made up only 12.4% of the total startup capital raised, showing its limited role.
• Grants accounted for just 0.4%, reflecting minimal non-dilutive support for startups.
• Startups are more likely to trade ownership than take on debt or apply for grants.
• The funding landscape remains investor-driven, with equity seen as the path to scale.
• The near absence of grant funding may hinder innovation for startups that need early runway but aren't ready to give up equity.

• The arts, entertainment, and recreation sector contributed 4.12% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2020.
• By 2025, this contribution is projected to rise modestly to 4.43%.
• The growth rate maintains a steady pace, reaching 4.75% by 2030.
• By 2050, the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector is projected to reach a 6.00% share of Nigeria’s GDP.
• With only a 1.88 percentage point rise forecasted over 30 years, the pace of growth suggests the sector remains undervalued or under-leveraged relative to its potential.
• The creative economy’s resilience, despite limited public infrastructure and policy support, demonstrates strong organic demand and global competitiveness.

• Morocco's AIDI score rose from 19.08 in 2003 to 70.32 in 2024, indicating substantial infrastructure progress over two decades.
• Over the past 21 years, Egypt's infrastructure development, as measured by AIDI, has more than tripled.
• Nigeria ranks 24th in infrastructure (AIDI) despite having the 4th largest GDP in Africa.
• In 2024, Nigeria’s AIDI score was 25.70, significantly below peers like Morocco (91.43) and Egypt (82.54).
• Algeria, with a GDP of $260.13B, achieved a strong AIDI score of 70.32, ranking 8th.
• The AIDI gap highlights that economic size doesn’t guarantee infrastructure strength, underlining the need for intentional investment.

• Eight East African nations made the list of the top 15 worst African currencies.
• Somalia has the weakest African currency in 2024, with an exchange rate of 28,118.33 SOS per US$.
• Guinea, with 8,613.26 GNF per US$, has the second weakest currency, but is still far behind Somalia.
• Madagascar, Uganda, and Zimbabwe follow, each with exchange rates between 3,200 and 4,500 LCU per US$.
• Nigeria’s currency traded at 1,478.97 Naira per US$, about 20 times stronger than Somalia's currency.
• Despite economic turmoil, South Sudan’s currency remained below 2,200 SSP per US$, performing better than Somalia and Guinea.
• The gap between Somalia and the rest of Africa’s currencies highlights extreme economic pressures unique to the Somali economy in 2024.