- Nigeria, Africa's leading oil producer, is set for growth, driven by ongoing reforms and a strong emphasis on rehabilitating its state-owned refineries.
- TikTok is facing the possibility of being banned from app stores in the United States by January 19 unless the Supreme Court or President-elect Donald Trump intervenes and delays this decision.
- African countries that rely significantly on imports or external finance incur increased risk when global commodity prices vary, foreign currency rates become unpredictable, or geopolitical crises hamper commerce.
- Equatorial Guinea ranks as the least open country in Africa, allowing its citizens visa-free access to only three countries out of 198, placing it at 101st globally.
- Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist for Donald Trump, has publicly criticised Elon Musk over his influence in U.S. politics, suggesting he should "go back to South Africa."
- Canadian mining company Barrick Gold announced that it would temporarily suspend operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto complex in Mali after the Malian government seized gold stocks from the facility over the weekend.
- Egypt, Algeria, and Angola have maintained their rankings, each making additions to their military aircraft fleets. Egypt expanded its fleet by 13 aircraft, Algeria by 3, and Angola by 1.
- The U.S. State Department has approved a $100 million foreign military sale to Zambia for military helicopters. Zambia currently ranks 81st in the world for military aircraft strength, with a fleet of 77 units, according to Global Firepower.
- The U.S., the largest economy globally, showcases unparalleled industrial prowess, diversified sectors, and global reach. In contrast, Africa's economies, while collectively significant, vary widely in size and development.
- Mali has started removing gold from Canadian mining company Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine using helicopters, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
- The strength of a military, particularly in Africa, is influenced by a variety of factors, including personnel, equipment, strategic alliances, and geopolitical positioning.
- In Africa, Mauritius, South Africa and Botswana are the most talent-competitive countries, according to the 2023 Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI).
- Having a sizable helicopter fleet is especially important for African countries because of the continent's enormous geographic expanse, varied topography, and frequently difficult infrastructure.
- A high cost of living index can affect a country's global perception. African countries such as South Africa and Kenya, which draw considerable tourist and expatriate communities, may risk losing their appeal if living expenses grow without a corresponding increase in quality.
- The construction of eight additional tanks will increase crude storage capacity at the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery by 41.67%, bringing the total capacity to 3.4 billion litres.
- Transportation is the backbone of businesses worldwide, and in Nigeria, the lack of a reliable rail system has led to a heavy reliance on the highways.
- Across Africa, many countries face the challenge of holding passports that rank low on global mobility indexes. Somalia has the least powerful passport in Africa, allowing access to only 35 countries and ranking 102nd globally.
- A low GDP forecast is a critical indicator of potential challenges ahead. This projection for African countries in 2025 signals deterring engagement in industries such as manufacturing, services, technology, and infrastructure.
- A recent survey shows improved customer service in SME banking as financial institutions in Ghana and Nigeria seek long-term relationships with expanding businesses.
- Despite Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as the top tech innovation hub of Africa, Kenya for the second year in a row has drawn the largest total annual funding.
- Last year, South Africa dominated the top spots, holding the top five positions for the highest crime rates. In the latest rankings, six cities from South Africa still feature prominently, reflecting the ongoing security challenges faced by the country.
- There have been several oil explorations by major oil conglomerates in the Southern African country of Namibia in recent years. Shell has announced a $400 million write-down related to an offshore oil discovery in Namibia, deeming the project commercially unviable.
- In 2023, despite submitting half as many Schengen visa applications as those from Asia, African applicants were twice as likely to be rejected, with rates 14 percentage points higher than Asian applicants.
- Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs provide a pathway for individuals to acquire citizenship in a country by making substantial financial contributions to its economy.
