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  • Over the past ten years, there has been a rising trend of fraud and forgery cases in Nigerian banks. Although there was an 88% increase in reported cases in 2021, there was a 27% decrease in 2022, resulting in a 221% increase in financial losses of ₦9.5 billion.

    Eighty-six (86%) of the money involved in these cases was recovered thanks to banks' internal control techniques and assistance from relevant government agencies; ₦45 billion remains unrecovered.

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    In the past five years, Nigerian Fintech startups have received the most funding in the startup space, with over $1.01b raised in 2021, the highest in 14 years. Funding for the sector has since reduced following the raise in 2021.
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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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  • 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.

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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.

    See more

Other Insights
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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E-commerce payments method in Nigeria (transaction value %), 2023 and 2027
  • Digital wallets are the fastest-growing e-commerce payment method in Nigeria, set to double from 11% in 2023 to 22% by 2027.
  • A2A transfers remain the dominant payment method, slightly increasing from 32% to 34%, showing continued reliance on direct bank-to-bank transfers.
  • Cash-on-delivery is becoming less relevant, dropping from 15% in 2023 to just 9% in 2027, signaling a shift away from cash-based transactions.
  • Both debit card and credit card payments are declining, with debit cards dropping from 19% to 16% and credit cards falling from 15% to 12%, suggesting a changing balance in card preferences.
  • Prepaid cards and buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions remain relatively small players in the Nigerian e-commerce space, with minimal growth.
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Nigeria's Value Added Tax collections by sector (Q1-Q2 2024)
 
  • Three sectors, Manufacturing, ICT, and Mining & Quarrying, accounted for 58.8% of total VAT revenue in the first half of 2024.
  • Manufacturing alone contributed 24.8% of VAT, making it the highest-paying sector.
  • Nigeria’s digital economy is thriving, with ICT generating 17.6% of VAT revenue, signaling the growth of telecom, data services, and digital platforms.
  • The extractive industry remains vital, with Mining & Quarrying contributing 16.4% of total VAT collection.
  • Finance & Insurance (10.2%) and Public Administration & Defence (9.7%) also made significant contributions to Nigeria’s VAT revenue.
  • Despite contributions from 21 sectors, VAT revenue is still heavily reliant on a few key industries, highlighting the need for a broader tax base.
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Nigeria's public debt stock (2017 - 2024)
  • External debt has nearly doubled as in 2017, it stood at 26.64%, but by 2024, it had risen to 46.96%.
  • Domestic debt has dropped from 73.36% in 2017 to 53.04% in 2024, showing a decline.
  • Nigeria’s increasing reliance on external loans suggests a strategic shift in public debt financing.
  • Unlike other years, domestic debt share slightly increased in 2023, rising to 60.74%, before external debt rebounded in 2024.
  • A rising share of external debt means higher exposure to foreign exchange risks and global market conditions.
  • If the trend continues, Nigeria’s external and domestic debt may soon be equal, reducing the traditional dominance of domestic borrowing.
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Key Takeaways:
  • In 2024, ten publicly listed banks donated more than ₦20.97 billion to host communities.
  • Access Holdings Plc led the list with ₦6.74 billion, accounting for nearly 32% of total donations.
  • The top three banks (Access, Zenith, and UBA) contributed around ₦13.6 billion, or 65% of total donations.
  • Donations ranged between ₦113 million (Jaiz Bank) and ₦6.7 billion (Access Holdings).
  • Jaiz Bank donated the smallest proportion, 0.54%.
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  • The same countries—Burundi, Malawi, DR Congo, Mozambique, Niger, Liberia, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Chad, and Ethiopia—consistently occupy the bottom ranks over the years.
  • These countries remain far below the continent's average, often with GDP per person employed under $5,000 even in recent years.
  • Progress is marginal: while some, like Ethiopia and Mozambique, show slow growth, many fluctuate or even regress across periods.
  • Structural economic weaknesses, conflict, and low industrialisation seem to persist across the bottom group.
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  • In 2024, nearly 138 million children globally are still involved in child labour.
  • Africa accounts for 94.5 million (68.7%) of these children — the largest regional share.
  • Four in 5 child labourers under age 12 are based in Africa.
  • The global goal to end child labour by 2025 was not achieved.
  • Child labour has fallen by over 100 million since 2000, despite global child population growth.
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  • Lagos has grown from 325,200 in 1950 to a an estimated 17.2 million in 2025
  • The State’s fastest 5-year growth came between 1955–1960 at 62.7%.
  • Since 2000, growth has steadied around 18–20% every 5 years.
  • More than 10 million people added between 2000 and 2025 alone.
  • Growth continues to outstrip investments in housing, transport, and basic services.
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Key Takeaways:
  • India is projected to remain the world’s most populous country in 2054, reaching 1.69 billion, an increase of 246 million from 2024.
  • China’s population is expected to decline to 1.22 billion by 2054, marking a 14.1% decrease.
  • Nigeria is projected to rise to 5th place globally, with a population of 374 million, a 62% increase from 2024.
  • The United States remains the only high-income country in the top five, with a projected population of 384 million.
  • Pakistan is expected to climb from 5th to 3rd place, adding 138 million people by 2054.
  • Three African countries (Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are expected to rank among the top 10 most populous nations.
  • Russia is projected to see a population decline of 6.9%.
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Key Takeaways:
  • India is projected to remain the world’s most populous country in 2100, with 1.5 billion people, a 4.5% increase from 2024.
  • China’s population is expected to fall sharply by 55.1% to 638.7 million, less than half of its 2024 population.
  • Pakistan's population is expected to nearly double by 2100.
  • Nigeria is projected to become the world’s fourth most populous country by 2100, with a population of more than 470 million.
  • Seven of the 15 most populous countries in 2100 are expected to be in Africa.
  • The United States is projected to rank sixth globally by 2100 from its current third position, despite a 22.2% expected population increase from 2024.
  • Together, the top 15 countries are expected to account for 57.9% of the global population by 2100.
  • The total world population is projected to reach 10.19 billion by the end of the century.
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