For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa has surpassed pre-pandemic levels of international tourist arrivals. The continent welcomed 74 million visitors in 2024, a 7% increase from 2019 and 12% higher than in 2023, according to a statement from UN Tourism on January 21. North Africa led the recovery, with international arrivals rising 22% compared to 2019. This strong performance...

The 2024 Global Terrorism Index shows that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger record the highest number of terrorism-related deaths in the region. Over the past 15 years, the Sahel has experienced a 1,266% surge in reported terrorist incidents. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced plans to create a joint military force of 5,000 soldiers to tackle armed groups operating in the region. The...

“Galamsey” refers to illegal mining in Ghana. After returning to power in December 2024, President John Mahama has vowed to intensify efforts against this issue. He is already facing a crisis, as seven illegal miners died last weekend during a clash with the army. On the evening of January 18, seven illegal miners were killed in a gunfight with the army near AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi gold...

As AI continues to shape the digital landscape, its adoption remains uneven across the globe. For African countries in particular, bridging the gap in technical skills is essential to keep pace with this trend and unlock the economic benefits of digital advancements. On January 20, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced the creation of...

This is the largest fundraising effort ever carried out by Naked in South Africa. Naked, a fully digital insurance platform based in South Africa, announced on January 21, 2025, that it has secured 700 million rands ($37.8 million) in its Series B funding round. The funding came from a mix of existing investors, including Yellowwoods, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Germany’s...

The Ivorian government has in recent years launched various initiatives to provide training and improve job opportunities for young people. On January 20, 2025, Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé officially launched the 2024-2025 National Program for Internships, Apprenticeships, and Career Transition (PNSAR). The initiative aims to boost the employability of 142,000 young people, aged...

WIFI-calling is a transformative tool for bridging digital gaps, enhancing call reliability, and supporting Egypt’s broader goals of economic modernization and rural development. By leveraging this technology, Egypt is taking a proactive step toward ensuring accessible, high-quality communication for all its citizens. Egypt has officially introduced WIFI-calling, a new service allowing mobile...

This new recognition boosts the bank's standing in the global financial world, creating fresh opportunities for funding trade and infrastructure projects in Africa. Following a successful Samurai bond launch in Japan in 2024, the bank is now looking to use its triple-A rating to attract Chinese investors. Afreximbank, rated triple-A, is set to enter China’s capital market in 2025. After...

Morocco’s economy is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2025, up from 3% in 2024, according to a report released on January 20 by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). This recovery will be driven mainly by a rebound in agriculture and the resilience of non-agricultural activities. After a challenging 2024 marked by severe drought, the 2024-2025 agricultural season is expected to benefit from...

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a consulting firm specializing in higher education, released a report on January 16 ranking countries based on their readiness for the global labor market. The report named Egypt as the best-prepared African country to meet the evolving demands of the global job market, highlighting the country’s strengths in digital skills, artificial intelligence (AI) integration...