African countries have long relied on the “Big Three” global agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch) to signal their creditworthiness. These firms use familiar letter grades (AAA down to C) to gauge default risk, and investors treat them as a convenient shorthand for safety or peril. In Africa today 33 countries have sovereign ratings […]
A soft light sweeps over a plantation in southern Côte d’Ivoire as a farmer tends to rows of rubber trees dripping with latex. Just ten years ago, this land was filled with cocoa—the “brown gold” that once drove the country’s economy. Now, the farmer’s shift from cocoa to rubber tells a larger story of change […]
Just beyond the southern edge of Nairobi, a new railway viaduct rises above the scrubby plains and scattered homes—its smooth concrete columns carving a sharp line across the horizon. Trains now glide over terrain once crossed by matatus and livestock, part of a national project to remake the country’s transport network. The Standard Gauge Railway, […]
The skyline of Lagos is a patchwork of contrasts: gleaming high-rises standing tall beside sprawling informal settlements. This duality reflects the complexity of Africa’s real estate market—a sector brimming with opportunities but hindered by stark inequalities. Rapid urbanization and a burgeoning middle class are fueling unprecedented demand for housing and commercial spaces. Yet, the challenges […]
The movement of people within Africa has long been a defining feature of the continent’s history, shaping economies, cultures, and societies. From pastoralists migrating in search of greener pastures to traders crossing borders for opportunities, migration in Africa has always been an integral part of its story. Yet, the current global trend toward deglobalization—a retreat […]
Written by: Elegbeleye Paul The impact of petroleum prices on African countries has significantly influenced their economic growth or stagnation since the inception of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1960. Over the years, the price trends of petroleum have been shaped by global events, market demands, and technological advancements. This article […]
Written by: Emmanuel Atogwe Intercontinental trends of urbanization are affecting Africa, with its urban share projected to triple by 2050. This presents challenges such as overdependence on existing infrastructure and housing inadequacies but also opens opportunities for the development of real estate and urbanization. City expansion drives the demand for housing, commercial real estate, and […]
Author: Chioma Alaedu Africa has the youngest population in the world, with over 60% of its population under 25. However, the continent faces a major challenge: unemployment. Some African countries have an unemployment rate of about 40%. From this statistic, addressing this issue is of utmost importance as it can help the continent’s economic growth. […]
Author: Precious Chibuike Ukaegbu | preciouscukaegbu@gmail.com A Case-Study for Sustainable Development Goal 4–Quality Education On the 15th of September 2022, while researching project plans for my social impact idea, I discovered the SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. As I meticulously perused each goal, I became interested in goals 1, 4, 5, and […]
Author: Sylvester Elisha Microfinance institutions are crucial in reducing poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing financial services like small loans and insurance to those excluded from traditional banking. They focus on financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, and empowering the underprivileged (Armendariz and Morduch, 2010). These institutions have significantly enhanced access to financial services among the unbanked in […]