Bite-sized Insights about
 
Providing you with data-based insights about things happening around you.
Popular Insights
  • 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).

    See more

    Argentina, Egypt, and Ukraine were the IMF’s top three debtors as of June 26, 2024, accounting for $51 billion (46%) of the total debt. Egypt, Angola, and Kenya occupy the top three spots in Africa on the IMF’s debtors’ list.

    As of December 2023, Kenya's public debt stood at Ksh11.14 trillion (approximately $76.8 billion). By June 2024, its debt to the IMF had increased by 245% from $744 million in August 2020.

    This increase has coincided with protests in Kenya, where citizens opposed a proposed finance bill aiming to raise additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing.

    See more
  • 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

    Africa's sanitation crisis is alarming, with 17 of the top 20 countries having the highest open defecation rates.

    Eritrea (67%), Niger (65%), and Chad (63%) lead, putting millions at risk of disease.

    Even Nigeria, the most populous African country, has 18% of its population practising it.

    See more
  • 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.

    See more

    The FAAC's revenue distribution from 2017 to August 2023 highlights the dominance of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states in allocations. Despite Lagos' economic prominence, it ranked fifth. Here is the distribution of revenue among states between 2017 and August 2023.

    See more

  • Per projections made by Goldman Sachs, China should lead the global economy in terms of GDP by the year 2075, closely followed by India and the US. Nigeria and Egypt are the only African countries expected to be in the top 15 by that time.

    See more
  • 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.
    See more
  • 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
 
  • The IMF’s new 2019 GDP base year added between $20 billion and $235 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP from 1990–2025.
  • 2014 saw the biggest jump — an upward revision of $235.1 billion, raising GDP to $811.1 billion from $576.0 billion under the old base.
  • The rebased data consistently show 40–45% higher GDP values through the 2000s and 2010s, revealing a larger economy than earlier estimates.
  • The impact was strongest during Nigeria’s oil boom years (2007–2014), when rebasing captured fast-growing sectors like digital services, informal trade, and modular refining.
See more
  • Sudan ranks highest in Africa with 18 coup attempts, the most in the continent since 1950.
  • Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Sierra Leone follow closely with 11 attempts each.
  • Ghana and Guinea-Bissau have each experienced 10 coup attempts, ranking among the top six.
  • West Africa remains the most coup-prone subregion, accounting for 9 of the top 15 coups in the region.
  • Africa has witnessed 226 coup attempts between 1950 and 2025.
  • Most coup-prone countries share traits like weak institutions, governance failures, and economic hardship.
See more
 
  • Nigeria’s GDP has been rebased to a 2019 base year, raising its nominal value by about 40.8%, according to the IMF’s October 2025 update.
  • The revision includes new data on digital, informal, and service sectors, giving a fuller picture of the economy.
  • Nigeria ranked among the world’s top 20 economies in 1998, 2013, 2014, and 2015, peaking in 2014 at $811 billion.
  • Despite later declines from currency depreciation and slower growth, the revision reaffirms Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy.
See more
  • For every $1 Ghana earns from pharmaceutical exports, it spends about $22 on imports, underscoring the country’s overwhelming dependence on foreign pharmaceutical products.
  • Ghana is a net importer of medicine and has been for nearly two decades.
  • By 2015, Ghana’s pharmaceutical imports reached its peak with $348.12m while exports were $3.10m, meaning imports were nearly 100 times larger.
  • In 2016, Ghana recorded its highest-ever export performance at $78.33 million, but even then, imports stood at $154.96m, almost two times higher.
See more
  • In 2023, Ghana recorded $91.9m in ceramic exports, amassing $19.9m profit, after 17 years of consistent trade losses and heavy dependence on imported ceramic products.
  • For 17 years, Ghana’s ceramic market was largely import-driven, with local industries struggling to compete against foreign products.
  • Ghana's ceramic products trade recorded $1.397 billion in trade deficit in almost two decades.
  • Ghana's ceramic industry has finally moved from dependency to a driver of profit and progress.
See more
  • Over the past two decades, Egypt exported roughly twice as much ceramic products as it imported, positioning itself as a key player in regional and global ceramic products trade.
  • In 2012, exports peaked at $488.51 million, more than double imports at $178.23 million, setting a clear demonstration of strong industrial and commodity output.
  • In 2008, exports soared to $325.86 million, more than doubling imports at $126.21 million.
  • Between 2017 and 2021, the export sector showed stable performance, averaging $327 million annually.
  • The year 2021 was a standout, with exports reaching $401.12 million, reflecting a strong rebound that reaffirmed Egypt’s export capacity post-pandemic.
See more
     
  • The South-West recorded the highest domestic debt stock of approximately ₦1.43 trillion, largely powered by Lagos State’s ₦1.04 trillion debt.
  • The South-South ranks second with ₦968 billion, led by Rivers State’s ₦364.4 billion, reflecting major infrastructure and fiscal commitments.
  • The North-Central (₦520 billion) and North-East (₦450 billion) show moderate borrowing compared to their southern counterparts.
  • The North-West records the smallest combined debt stock at ₦223 billion, indicating a relatively conservative borrowing posture.
See more
     
  • Enugu State holds the highest domestic debt in the South-East at ₦180.5 billion.
  • Imo ranks second with ₦97.9 billion, about 54% lower than Enugu’s figure.
  • At ₦15.8 billion, Ebonyi remains the least indebted in the region, maintaining a conservative borrowing stance.
  • Combined, the five South-East states (Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi) owe roughly ₦371 billion domestically as of Q2 2025.
See more
     
  • Bayelsa holds the lowest debt with ₦65.9 billion.
  • Rivers’ ₦364.4 billion domestic debt is almost six times Bayelsa’s total, highlighting major fiscal disparities.
  • Delta (₦204.7 billion) and Cross River (₦147.3 billion) remain among the region’s more indebted states
  • Regional debt approaches ₦1 trillion: The six South-South states collectively hold an estimated ₦968 billion in domestic debt as of Q2 2025.
See more
  • Naturalisations rose consistently from 577 in H1 2022 to 717 in H1 2024, marking a 24% rise over two years.
  • The 11.5% increase recorded that period was the strongest half-year growth across the timeline.
  • Numbers fell 25.5% in H1 2025, the steepest half-on-half drop since tracking began.
  • Despite the recent fall, total naturalisations remain above early 2022 levels, signalling sustained long-term growth.
See more
  • The number of new Canadian citizens born in Egypt fell 9.8% in H1 2025, reaching 1,158, down from 1,284 in late 2024.
  • The steepest half-on-half fall came in H2 2024 (-37.3%), signalling the start of a more sustained slowdown.
  • Compared with the 2022 peak of 2,566, current levels are down 55%, marking a continuous decline since mid-2022.
  • Despite the multi-year decline, the smaller 9.8% decrease in H1 2025 suggests the rate of decline may be easing.
See more
  • H1 2025 recorded 832 new Canadian citizens of South African origin, down 23.7% from H2 2024 (1,091).
  • The first half of 2024 marked the highest level of approvals (1,514) in the past four years.
  • H1 2025 is 24% below H1 2022’s 1,089, the second lowest number in the period.
  • The data shows average half-on-half change of ±19%, reflecting strong fluctuations in migration and processing patterns.
See more
1 7 8 9 10 11 117
  • Animal source foods make up the largest share of Nigeria’s CoHD at ₦528 (35.3%) of ₦1,495.
  • Starchy staples follow at ₦344 (23%), showing the centrality of carbs in Nigerian diets.
  • Vegetables (₦233) and fruits (₦163) collectively account for over a quarter of the cost.
  • Legumes, nuts, and seeds (₦101) are the least costly food group, despite their nutritional value.
  • The national average CoHD stands at ₦1,495 per person per day as of December 2024.
  • Protein-rich foods are becoming increasingly unaffordable, contributing to dietary imbalance.
Read more
  • South West has the highest Cost of Healthy Diet (₦1,764), surpassing the national average by ₦269.
  • South South follows at ₦1,714.
  • South East (₦1,436) and North East (₦1,430) sit close to the national midpoint.
  • North Central and North West record the lowest CoHD at ₦1,372 and ₦1,296, respectively.
  • The national average cost of a healthy diet stands at ₦1,495 per person per day as of December 2024.
  • The regional disparities in food cost highlight the uneven impact of economic realities across Nigeria’s zones.
Read more
  • Nigeria exited the FATF grey list in October 2025, after 32 months of monitoring.
  • The country was added to the grey list in February 2023 due to technical compliance shortcomings.
  • FATF conducted an assessment of Nigeria’s AML/CFT measures in 2008, marking the beginning of its oversight of the measures.
  • Between 2010 and 2013, Nigeria appeared repeatedly in FATF statements for strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.
Read more
  • Nigeria’s FDI share plunged from 35% in 1990 to 1.1% in 2024.
  • Africa’s FDI surged over the same period, leaving Nigeria behind.
  • Q1 2025 inflow was only $126.3 million, showing persistent weakness.
  • Decline mirrors structural hurdles — unstable policies, forex issues, and weak infrastructure.
Read more
  • Nigeria recorded 971 protests and violent demonstrations in 2024.
  • Protest numbers have grown 50-fold since 2000, signalling a consistent rise in public mobilisation.
  • The most significant surge occurred between 2011 and 2015, under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
  • Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure saw the highest number of recorded protests — peaking at 1,008 in 2020.
  • Despite a change in leadership, protest activity remains elevated under Bola Tinubu.
Read more
1 7 8 9 10 11 233

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Please fill the form below
Contact Form Demo
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form

A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved