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 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.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed a total of ₦593 billion as derivation funds to nine oil-producing states in Nigeria. These funds are part of the statutory allocation intended to support states with significant contributions to the country's oil revenue. Delta State emerged as the largest beneficiary, receiving ₦193 billion, which constitutes 32.5% of the total allocation.
When Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe acquired Access Bank in 2002, it ranked 65th in Nigeria. Today, it is the largest bank in Nigeria by asset size, with a vision to be Africa's most respected bank.
While its expansion across Africa has been aggressive, it has not been smooth sailing. Access Bank divested its holdings in Access Bank Côte d'Ivoire and Finbank Burundi, two of its earliest attempts at expansion. In Gambia, the Central Bank nationalised the bank in 2014. The nationalisation was short-lived as investors recapitalised the bank to meet the regulator's requirements for the takeover.
With rolling five-year corporate plans since 2003, Access is in its fifth strategic cycle. Access' strategy cycle (2023-2027) indicates a plan to continue its expansion drive, invest in its subsidiaries, and acquire growth banks in strategic markets before consolidating and optimising its operations to drive capital growth.
From hangouts with friends to family outings during the holiday season, quick-service restaurants (QSRs) have become an important part of Nigeria's social ecosystem. These businesses are landmarks in cities and important players in the growing food delivery business.
Chicken Republic is the largest QSR in Nigeria by outlet count, with nearly 200 outlets. It dwarfs its closest rival, Kilimanjaro, with over two times its 84 outlets. In third and fourth are Coldstone Creamery and Domino's Pizza, signalling a potential interest in QSRs that have narrowed menus among Nigerians.
Nigeria's cinema distribution is strikingly uneven, with Lagos emerging as the undisputed hub, housing 114 out of the country's 206 cinemas. This means more than half (54.8%) of Nigeria's cinemas are in Lagos alone. This dominance highlights the state's strong cultural, economic, and entertainment appeal, making it the go-to destination for film enthusiasts and industry players.
Beyond Lagos, Abuja follows distantly with 17 cinemas, constituting 8.2% of the total. States like Edo, Kano, Delta, and Anambra collectively hold significant numbers but remain far behind Lagos. Interestingly, only 18 states are home to cinemas.
Comoros leads with a striking 62.8% rejection rate, the highest not just among African consulates, but also the global consulate countries
Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Nigeria follow with rejection shares between 45% and 47%.
Despite having one of the highest total visa rejections globally, Algeria does not appear in this chart, as its rejection share is comparatively lower.
Countries with smaller applicant pools tend to have higher rejection rates, shedding light on access disparities and approval scrutiny in consulate processes.
