Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, covering about 30.3-million square kilometres and home to more than 1.4-billion people as of 2023. The continent comprises 54 recognised sovereign states and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east and the Red Sea to the north-east. Africa straddles the equator and encompasses diverse climatic zones, from tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin to the Sahara Desert in the north and the Kalahari Desert in the south. The continent is extraordinarily rich in natural resources, including significant deposits of gold, diamonds, platinum, copper, cobalt, oil and natural gas, which underpin much of its mining and energy sectors. Africa's economy is characterised by a mix of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services, with infrastructure development, energy access and water provision remaining critical challenges across many regions. The continent has experienced rapid urbanisation and population growth, driving demand for electricity, transport networks and sanitation systems. Major regional economic communities include the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States. Africa's business landscape is shaped by both established markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya, and emerging economies seeking to attract foreign investment and diversify their industrial bases. Climate change, political stability and governance remain key factors influencing economic development and infrastructure investment across the continent.
Africa Updates
South Africa private sector contracts after four months of growth, PMI shows 
By: Reuters 3rd June 2026 South Africa's private sector contracted in May as output and new orders fell amid higher fuel prices and uncertainty linked to the Iran war, a... →
Why Africa – and the world – remain dangerously unprepared for the next pandemic
1st June 2026 As the news spread about the outbreak of Ebola in mid-May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report about pandemics. The title... →
Former AfDB president Adesina appointed Diamonds for Development Fund chairperson
By: Creamer Media Reporter 29th May 2026 The Botswana government and De Beers have announced the appointment of former African Development Bank (AfDB) president Dr Akinwumi Adesina as... →
SA: Ronald Lamola: Address by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the International Relations and Cooperation Dept Budget Vote 2026/27, Parliament, Cape town (26/0/2026)
29th May 2026 That victory paved the way for the legislative machinery of apartheid, intensifying racial segregation and stripping most of the people of this... →
Mauritius: The premier gateway for global talent, investors and retirees
27th May 2026 As global mobility trends continue to evolve, Mauritius has firmly established itself as one of the most preferred destinations for foreign... →
Africa’s white-collar crime landscape: How cross-border reality is reshaping risk, regulation and corporate responsibility
27th May 2026 White-collar crime in Africa is no longer a predominantly domestic concern; it has expanded to an international stage, so too has the corporate... →
Shifting from fossil fuels will fail without funding for African industry and energy infrastructure
26th May 2026 Moving to renewable energy will fail unless wealthy nations help finance cleaner energy systems, industrialisation and local mineral processing... →
International Relations committee concludes robust engagement with EU counterparts, emphasising mutually beneficial development and peace
26th May 2026 Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has concluded what it described as a robust and meaningful engagement... →
HRI Roadmap for Africa: Mobilizing Finance for Africa’s Frontier Markets
26th May 2026 Africa, with 17% of the world's population and widely recognised for its competitive investment returns, represents one of the most significant... →
Africa Holds the Ethical Power that Liberal Democracy Has Lost
By: South African Institute of International Affairs 25th May 2026 As liberal democracy increasingly fails to prevent the violence its own ideals are meant to discipline, the world needs what Africa already knows.... →
