Smarter industrial policy can advance Africa’s economic transformation and create jobs WASHINGTON, April 8, 2026–Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic recovery from a decade of global shocks is showing signs of stalling, with growth projections for 2026 revised downward by 0.3 percentage points from estimates previously published in October 2025, according to the latest edition of the Africa…
African countries may miss out on the transformative benefits of the global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution unless urgent investments are made in critical infrastructure, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has warned. In a report presented at a meeting of African ministers of finance in Morocco, the ECA said the continent’s more than…
Tangier, Morocco — Africa must move swiftly to harness data and frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive its economic growth and make the continent globally competitive in the digital economy, a senior official at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has told policymakers. Opening the Committee of Experts segment of…
Richard Ford, group CTO, Integrity360. South African companies are sitting on a “figurative asbestos” of digital data that is costing them millions and exposing them to significant security risks. As the world marks International Digital Cleanup Day on 21 March, cyber security firms are urging businesses to tackle the growing threat of “data toxicity” –…
There are both risks and opportunities presented by the rise of finfluencers. (Image source: 123RF) The rapid rise of financial influencers, or “finfluencers”, across South Africa’s social media platforms is a double-edged sword – representing both unprecedented opportunities for financial inclusion and significant risks related to misinformation. This was the sentiment shared by regulators and…
Despite some progress made globally, children around the world still face serious and evolving risks of being sold, sexually exploited and abused, the UN independent human rights expert on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, warned on Monday. “There is a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of these crimes,”…
Mediterranean Shipping Company will add new charges on several trade routes to Africa as tensions in key maritime corridors disrupt global shipping. The Swiss shipping group said the “war surcharge” took effect on March 5 and affects cargo moving from the Indian subcontinent and Gulf countries to African markets. The measure will raise freight costs…
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in March 2026 marks the end of a political era in the Middle Eastern country. Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran. This has triggered a war drawing in numerous countries across the Middle East. The Horn of Africa and Red…
Across Africa, governments are introducing digital systems that use individuals’ unique physical measurements to identify them. These systems collect citizens’ biometric and personal data and use it to give people access to essential public services like voting, healthcare, education and social protection. Biometric digital identification systems are often promoted as tools to improve efficiency, inclusion…
Improving security beyond the project site is vital, as is ensuring that gas revenues are managed responsibly and transparently. The resumption of TotalEnergies’ large natural gas extraction project is an opportunity to transform Mozambique’s abundant natural wealth into economic development, especially for the impoverished northern Cabo Delgado province. However, the persistent terrorist threat and the…
