- The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) ranks Mauritius as the top African nation in vocational and technical skills, achieving a 54.09% rating. Egypt follows in second place with 52.35%, while Mauritania takes third with 40.2%.
- Libya, despite enduring political instability, holds the largest oil reserves in Africa, with 48.36 billion barrels, ranking 9th globally according to Global Firepower. Known for its high-quality, low-sulfur crude, Libya's oil is in high demand on international markets.
- Kenyan President William Ruto, a strong advocate for African Union (AU) institutional reforms, stated yesterday that ongoing conflicts are causing Africa to lose $18 billion annually.
- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it is investigating an incident involving a United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington D.C., which occurred on Friday.
- Troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have reportedly exchanged fire along their shared border in the eastern city of Goma. This escalation has deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis in a region scarred by two devastating wars between 1996 and 2003.
- Trump's directive to deport millions of illegal immigrants, including those with removal orders, is expected to affect many African immigrants without legal status.
- Foreign exchange and gold reserves are critical assets that many countries use to secure their economies and provide financial stability. In Africa, the country with the highest foreign exchange and gold reserves is Libya, valued at $92.43 billion, ranking 32nd globally.
- In 2024, African startups raised a total of $2.2 billion through equity, debt, and grants (excluding exits), with $1.5 billion of that coming from equity.
- Submarines, which are often considered some of the most advanced and strategic equipment in modern naval forces, serve an important role in protecting maritime interests, including in Africa, given its vast coastline.
- Nathan Kirsh, at 93 years old, holds the title of the oldest billionaire in Africa. This dominance by older generations is not unique to Africa, but its persistence raises questions in a continent bursting with youthful talent and ambition.
- The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched initiatives to alleviate the challenges faced by certain African countries grappling with the persistent crisis of hazardous chemicals.
- Nigerian universities continue to make important contributions to education, but there is still a lot of potential for growth and improvement on the international stage.
- Each year, the U.S. sends billions of dollars in foreign aid to promote global stability, national security, and economic interests. A big chunk of that money goes to Africa, funding programs that tackle health issues, food shortages, energy access, and economic growth.
- Kenya's escalating political tension has had a detrimental impact on its economy, prompting investors to withdraw their funds to mitigate potential losses.
- As the population in several African countries continues to increase rapidly, the demographic of young people approaching military age is increasing simultaneously.
- In November 2024, Uganda disclosed that it was trying to ink a nuclear deal with Russia, given Russia’s nuclear expansion in Africa, in the last few years.
- Gabon’s Council of Ministers announced on Wednesday that the country will hold presidential elections on April 12, 2025. There are concerns about the fairness of the election process, as an exception has been made for interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema to run for president.
- Africa's locally-made vehicle manufacturing industry is progressing, fueled by urbanization, a growing middle class, supportive policies, and expanded trade.
- In Africa, Egypt leads with 100 attack helicopters, ranking 7th globally. Following Egypt, Algeria comes in with 74 helicopters, placing it 9th globally.
- Nigerian-American billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi recently experienced a significant spike in his net worth a few days after becoming a part of the Open AI team.
- The Alliance of the Sahel States' (AES) proposal to adopt biometric passports for member nations including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger may go into effect by the end of the month.
- The mobile money industry has transformed financial services in Africa, granting millions access to financial inclusion and bridging the gap for the unbanked population.
- While it is common for many Nigerians to pursue higher education abroad, particularly in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Nigerian universities also attract international students from across Africa and beyond.
- A combined force of 5,000 troops from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon be deployed to address security challenges in the central Sahel region.
- In contrast to having a large and well-organized active military force, which inadvertently improves a country's security and regional influence, keeping a small active military force can expose serious weaknesses, particularly for some African countries.
- Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), encompassing tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers, play critical roles in military strategies. Egypt leads Africa with the largest stock of combat tanks, securing the 12th position globally.
- GDP per capita is a critical measure used to assess the economic well-being of individuals in a country, as it represents the average economic output per person.
- The $910 million appeal marks the most expensive humanitarian crisis in West and Central Africa, surpassing those in Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, according to UN documents.
- The cost of diesel last year fluctuated greatly throughout Africa, with certain African countries seeing costs as low as $0.031 per liter and others experiencing highs of $2 per liter. A similar pattern seems to be developing when 2025 gets underway.
