Spotlight: Analysis

Deep dives into the companies, deals, and markets shaping Africa’s economy. We go beyond the headlines to examine how businesses actually work, what drives industry trends, and why certain strategies succeed or fail. Data-driven investigations that help you understand the mechanics behind Africa’s most important business stories.

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India, China, Africa, & Southeast Asia (ICASA) Poised to Drive Global Growth

'ICASA' is replacing 'BRICs' as the mental model for growth in emerging markets. Within ICASA, Africa's demographics are particularly favorable for above-average growth. Read more.

August 2017
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International Investors See Opportunity in Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Ethiopia

International investors have a critical role to play in the future of Africa. A recently published survey reveals insights into how they perceive opportunity & risk across countries, sectors, and trends.

July 2017
Young Masai male checks mobile device.

Emerging Business Models Help Smartphone Affordability & Africa’s Digital Pioneers

For many mass-market consumers in Africa, smartphones are out of reach, thus limiting the ability of digital businesses in sub-Saharan Africa to grow and achieve scale. New business models are emerging to help.

July 2017
Addis, Ababa

Ethiopia is the World’s Fastest Growing Economy

Three of the world's fastest growing economies in 2017 are African, and Ethiopia leads the pack with a GDP growth rate 2.4x faster than the global average.

July 2017
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Sub-Saharan Africa is the World’s Fastest Growing Mobile Market

By 2020, sub-Saharan Africa will have more than half a billion unique mobile subscribers (around half of its population), offering great opportunities for social & commercial innovation.

July 2017
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U.S. Entrepreneurs Target Africa’s Solar Opportunity

A slew of VC-funded, American solar energy startups seek to profit by electrifying African communities, per Bill McKibben in the latest issue of the New Yorker.

June 2017