Changing the narrative on Africa.
Soon, flying between African cities could become more direct, with travellers less likely to have to route through Europe or the Middle East.
The World Economic Forum’s latest tourism index shows African markets making gains in cultural resources, digital readiness and tourism prioritisation as global travel conditions strengthen. North Africa, MENA, and Southern, Eastern and Western Africa stand out for different areas of tourism performance.
Africa’s biggest financing opportunity may lie not in attracting more money, but in retaining more of its value through stronger institutions, infrastructure, skills and local supply chains. And that shift that could deliver a US$210 billion economic boost by 2043.
Africa is connecting payment rails. The harder question is whether the money can keep up and whether stablecoins technology offer a unique solution to the challenge.
The two African hubs are among the world’s most connected airports, with airlines expanding routes while new airport projects add capacity for the continent’s growing traffic.
Africa’s gaming market is growing almost twice as fast as the global industry, while studios, payment systems and competitive events are beginning to build the infrastructure around its rapidly expanding player base.
Kenya’s stock exchange is pushing to bring African investors into Dangote Refinery’s record IPO, while discussions over a possible Nairobi cross-listing put the sale at the centre of a wider effort to connect Africa’s capital markets. The bigger test is whether African savings can help finance the next generation of industrial companies at scale.
Ethiopia’s US$12.5 billion Bishoftu airport is emerging as a major test of US-China commercial competition in Africa, spanning construction, aviation technology and finance. Its scale is attracting companies and lenders from across the world to one of the continent’s biggest planned aviation projects.
Africa’s insurance market remains largely untapped, but the biggest players are changing how they chase it. Banking, savings and investments are becoming the gateway to the deeper insurance relationships insurers want.
Uganda produces cotton and has a large market for fabric, but much of the value is still created elsewhere. Manufacturers say investment in spinning, weaving and garment production could lift exports, create jobs and help drive double-digit economic growth.