For nearly a decade before the 2008 financial crisis, global capital markets were characterized by increasing liquidity, and capital flows to Africa were on the rise (Figures 1a and 1b, Annex). Similar trends were observed in the syndicated loans market, where the volume of loans benefiting African...

2007/08 witnessed a serious global food price shock. In 2007 and the first half of 2008 global food prices escalated. From March 2007 to March 2008 wheat prices around the globe rose on average 130%. Energy and commodity prices fell in the latter part of 2008 due to a weakening global economy, but...

Bringing more, cheaper, greener energy to Africa For Africa to advance economically, it must quickly find ways to offer increased access to affordable, sustainable energy. A growing number of African nations are creating cheaper, greener energy access, with AfDB support. In the run-up to...

At the heart of the socio-economic grievances that led to Libya’s revolution was the rentier economy of the Qaddafi regime. Though oil resources had permitted Libya to accumulate wealth, the country suffered from a number of macroeconomic concerns. By 1973, Libya had a dualistic undiversified...

As part of the Global Economic Governance project undertaken by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in collaboration with the International Development Law Unit at the University of Pretoria, a critical assessment is being made to evaluate how effectively Africa's interests...

On 17th December 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor in the rural town of Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia, set himself on fire. His death two weeks later sparked demonstrations and riots across the country which led to the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring more widely. Although it was later denied...

The economic landscape of most Africa countries depends essentially on the dynamics of climate change. Key sectors driving their economic performance and livelihoods such as agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism, coastal and water resources are highly vulnerable to climate change. This paper...

Paul Kagame has been serving as the President of the Republic of Rwanda since 2003, when he won the country’s first ever democratic elections. He was elected to a second seven-year mandate in August 2010. President Kagame had been working as Vice-President and Minister for Defense in the Government...