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.
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.
As of 2022, only seven African countries met the WHO's recommended doctor-to-population ratio of 10 doctors per 10,000 people.
Cape Verde, Seychelles, Libya, Eswatini, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Algeria are leading the way in healthcare accessibility in Africa. However, the continent still averages only 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people.
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.
After tax, 12 NGX-listed Nigerian banks retained 10% - 45% of their respective revenues for the year as profit, with GTCO in the lead.
Despite Zenith Bank leading in profit after tax with nearly ₦677 billion, GTCO recorded the highest profit margin, keeping 45% of its revenue.
Here are Nigerian banks' profit margins in 2023.
Twelve Nigerian banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) reported a total profit of ₦3.42 trillion in 2023, with all banks making a profit and seeing increases from 2022. The top four banks — Zenith Bank, Access Holdings, UBA, and GTCO — contributed 71% of this amount. Zenith Bank saw a 202% increase from the previous year and led the way with ₦676.9 billion, while Access Bank recorded the highest increase in profits (307%). Jaiz Bank made the least profit (₦11.2 billion) followed by Sterling Bank (₦21.6 billion) and Wema Bank (₦36 billion).
In 2022, the US hosted a diverse African immigrant community, totaling over 2.75 million. Nigerians make up the largest group at 448,405 (16.3%), followed by Ethiopians (10.6%), Egyptians (8.3%), and Ghanaians (7.8%).
MTN Group's share of voice revenue has steadily declined since 2014, falling from 71% to 36.6% in 2023. On the other hand, data services' share went from 18.6% to 37% in the same period.
MTN Group's revenue of ZAR104.3b from voice services in 2014 dropped to ZAR81b in 2023, with data services revenue almost tripling within the same period. With increasing digital inclusion, data service is definitely the future for telcos.
From 2006 to 2022, the Nigerian-born immigrant population in the US saw significant growth, increasing from 197.5k to 448.4k. This figure reflects almost a 1% share of the total foreign-born population in the US, which reached 46.2m in 2022.
Notably, the most rapid increases occurred between 2014 and 2022, with the Nigerian immigrant population jumping from 264.4k to 448.4k.
A recent UNICEF report shows that 293m children worldwide did not have drinking water in their schools in 2023. Six African and four Asian countries make up the top ten, with Ethiopia and Nigeria occupying first and second positions, respectively, with 33.2m and 29m children.
The top five countries account for 42% of the total affected population.
Bitcoin has seen remarkable growth since 2010. Starting from a high of just $0.5 in 2010, it reached an all-time high of $73.7k in March 2024.
It recorded new peaks in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2021, and recently in 2024.
As of December 2023, Indians accounted for one in three holders of Canadian work permits, representing 32% of the total (1.76 million). Ukraine followed with almost 10%. Nigeria came 8th, with 2% of the permit holders.
As of December 2023, more than 36,000 Nigerians — 2% of the global holders — had Canadian work permits. This number represented a 118% rise from December 2022.
Nigeria's share of the total peaked in December 2018 at 2.4%.
N.B. The number of global holders of the Canadian work permit increased by 60% in 2023.
