Zambia’s youthful population could become one of its greatest economic strengths—but only if the country addresses its growing skills gap. This analysis explores how education reform, digital skills, technical and vocational training, stronger public-private partnerships, and business-friendly policies can prepare Zambia’s workforce for the digital economy. Drawing on data from the World Bank, IFC, TEVETA, UNESCO and other sources, the article outlines practical policy recommendations to reduce youth unemployment and build a future-ready labour market.
Category: Featured
Featured insights, analysis and stories exploring business, technology, innovation and ideas shaping Africa’s future.
Sovereignty, IMF Petitions, and Consequence Literacy: A CMS Perspective
This article examines Ghana’s political reliance on IMF petitions as a symbol of institutional dependency and explores how sovereignty can be strengthened through domestic accountability. From the perspective of the Consequential Management System (CMS), the article introduces consequence literacy, African metaphysical wisdom, and custodianship as frameworks for rebuilding trust, governance resilience, and institutional agency.
In a World Remade by Force, Africa Must Bet on UN Tax Rules
As UN negotiations on a global Convention on International Tax Cooperation resume, economist Léonce Ndikumana argues that Africa must push for fairer international tax rules to curb illicit financial flows, reduce capital flight, strengthen tax transparency, and secure sustainable revenue. The article explores how global conflicts, debt pressures, and outdated tax systems undermine Africa’s economic resilience, while outlining key reforms that could reshape international taxation and support long-term development.
Africa Didn’t Cause This Energy Crisis. But It Often Pays the Highest Price
Africa continues to face the harshest consequences of global energy disruptions despite playing little role in causing them. In this opinion piece, Ben Ouattara, Head of Africa at Puma Energy, examines how higher fuel import costs, shipping disruptions, inflation and supply chain pressures are impacting African economies. He argues that strengthening energy resilience through diversified supply, strategic infrastructure, flexible policies and regional cooperation is essential to protecting economic growth from future global energy shocks.
Three Lessons from NAMPO About the Business of Farming in Africa
NAMPO Harvest Day highlighted three major trends shaping African agriculture: rising competition among suppliers, growing cross-border integration, and the impact of foreign currency challenges on farming businesses. Ray Van Rooyen of Absa Africa Regions explores how technology, finance, trade, and efficiency will define the future of farming across the continent.
Africa trains its elites the artisanal way. It’s time to move to industrial-scale leadership
Africa’s Agenda 2063 requires far more than ambition—it demands a new approach to developing leadership at scale. In this opinion piece, Dr. Nizar Chaari argues that Africa must move beyond small, founder-driven leadership programs and build scalable, evidence-based systems rooted in African realities. Examining competency-based training, psychometric assessment, and Ubuntu, he explores how the continent can create the thousands of leaders needed to achieve long-term economic and social transformation.
The Continent Is Not Waiting. Africa’s Creators Are Already Building the Economy
Africa’s creator economy is rapidly emerging as one of the continent’s fastest-growing industries, driven by millions of young entrepreneurs, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and digital creators. In this opinion piece, Daniel Kojo Soboh, CEO and Founder of EMY Africa, argues that Africa’s youth are already building a multi-billion-dollar economy through creativity, technology, and cultural innovation. He explores how the creator economy is transforming employment, exports, investment, and global perceptions of Africa while calling on governments, investors, and businesses to provide the infrastructure needed to sustain this unprecedented growth.
Coface: Could a new inflationary shock cause lasting damage to African economies?
Coface highlights how Middle East tensions and disrupted supply chains could trigger a new inflationary shock, affecting African economies unevenly. Oil importers face rising inflation, while commodity exporters may benefit from higher prices amid slower global growth forecasts.
Why African Investors Should Look Beyond the Ceasefire
The Middle East ceasefire has eased market tensions, but African investors should remain cautious. Cliff Bakashaba, Head of Investments at Jubilee Asset Management Limited, explains how geopolitical shocks continue to affect inflation, currencies, interest rates and investment performance across Africa. The article explores why long-term investors, insurers and asset managers must look beyond short-term market relief and focus on resilience, risk management and country-specific investment strategies.
The imposter syndrome of a strategist: Paid to sound certain in an uncertain world
In this thought-provoking article, Inamangwe Mtumtum explores the growing imposter syndrome faced by strategists working in an increasingly uncertain world. Against the backdrop of South Africa’s economic challenges, unemployment, rising living costs, and shifting consumer behaviour, the article argues that brands must move beyond superficial empathy and embrace authenticity, accountability, and a deeper understanding of consumers navigating complex realities.