When it comes to the critical role of remittances, it’s hard to overstate the impact in African nations and the trend only continues to grow. For Gambians, such remittances – money sent home to families from loved ones working abroad – accounted for 15.1 percent of GDP in 2018. That’s…
Sudan and Nigeria are among countries in the world where economic growth already has been most damaged by global warming, according to new research from Stanford University in the United States. The research, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), also listed Brazil, India…
Many Liberians remained skeptical Thursday following the government’s quick reversal on the USD$103.4 million officials said was missing from the country’s central bank – but now isn’t. An official announcement in Monrovia on Tuesday was meant to assure citizens that the money, reported missing late last month, was accounted for…
Hundreds of Liberians took to the streets of Monrovia on Monday, demanding accountability for the USD$103.4 million that officials say has disappeared from the country’s central bank. Emmanuel Gonquoi, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters in Liberia (EFFL), and the COCUBOMB civil society organization (it stands for Concerned Citizens United…
Opposition politicians in Liberia are calling for a nationwide strike on Monday, demanding accountability for the USD$103.4 million that officials say has disappeared from the country’s central bank. Emmanuel Gonquoi is head of the Economic Freedom Fighters in Liberia (EFFL), which is modeled on the far-left EFF led by Julius…
The stunning story of Liberia’s missing money keeps getting worse, with government officials now saying that more than USD$103.4 million disappeared from its central bank. It’s a loss that’s been under investigation since August, and represents a jaw-dropping 5 percent of Liberia’s 2017 national GDP. That’s up from about $60…
Botswana continues to be an economic bright spot in southern Africa, with the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment showing a rebound from slower GDP growth in 2017 that’s tied to stronger diamond sales and higher government spending. The IMF assessment team, led by Enrique Gelbard, completed a visit to Gaborone…
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya delivered his State of the Nation address Wednesday with an emphasis on unity amid the lingering consequences of last year’s bitterly contested presidential election. To that end, he praised unsuccessful Nasa candidate Raila Odinga for seeking to heal their divisions and called on Kenyans to…
Côte d’Ivoire continues its fast-paced economic growth, and its medium-term outlook remains favorable although some risks remain, according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team that’s just wrapped up a visit to Abidjan. The IMF team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura met with, among others, President Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister…
As the world noted the International Day of the Girl Child, a new report showed the 10 most difficult nations for girls when it comes to completing an education – and nine of them are in Africa. Some 130 million girls are out of school each day across the globe,…
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is showing signs of recovery, the World Bank said Wednesday, but regional growth in 2017 is still projected to reach a comparatively weak 2.6 percent. Seven countries show the greatest economic resilience, with annual growth rates above 5.4 percent in the 2015-2017 period. They include…
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to fall to 1.6 percent in 2016, but despite reaching the lowest level in two decades is expected to make a modest recovery in 2017. Real GDP is forecast to grow 2.9 percent in 2017, then rise to 3.6 percent in 2018. That’s…