Africa Economy

With its large and growing population – estimated by IMF to reach around 165m in 2012 – and extensive hydrocarbons resources, Nigeria holds significant political power in the region and on the international stage. However, maintaining stability within this diverse country of around 250 ethnic groups remains an enormous challenge for the country’...

As the country focuses on filling important gaps in transport and power infrastructure to improve the business environment in Nigeria, overcoming important shortfalls in the soft infrastructure will also be key to accelerating economic growth in the years to come. Having dropped 28 places in the World Economic Forum’s Competitiveness Index to 127th...

In her essay, first published anonymously in The Times of London on January 8 1897, Flora Shaw coined “Nigeria” as a shorter alternative to the widely named “Royal Niger Company Territories” – deeming it “inconvenient” and to an extent a “misleading” name for the then-British protectorate. Today, in contrast, “Nigeria” is too small...

The special economic zones (SEZs) of Guangdong are often referred to as the birthplace of the Chinese economic miracle. These export-oriented havens for foreign investment attracted multinational companies to the country with substantial provision of inexpensive labour and tax holidays. They also created jobs and, through the transfer of technology...

Despite its relatively high GDP per capita, Gabon’s dispersed rural population, difficult terrain and institutional incapacity have all contributed to a glaring infrastructure deficit. Over the past two years, however, the government has poured massive public investment into infrastructure. The results have been encouraging, as evidenced by the...

Faced with stagnating oil reserves, Gabon’s long-term economic growth depends on the successful diversification of the economy. Barring any major new discoveries, Gabon’s oil output is forecast to fall significantly over the course of the next 20 years, exerting pressure on a government that currently depends on oil revenues for 58% of its budget...