E-Business
The Hanke’s Misery Index: How Africa’s Economic Challenges Are Holding Back the Continent Part 3
By Evans Woherem, Ph.D
Addressing the Root Causes
The section highlights the urgent need to address the root causes of poverty and economic challenges in many African nations. It emphasizes the importance of decisive action, effective leadership, and learning from successful examples to overcome these challenges and foster sustainable development.
The section also covers various key areas, including addressing immediate challenges, implementing sustainable economic strategies, promoting infrastructure development and regional integration, and the significance of unity among African nations.
- Addressing Immediate Challenges
Addressing the immediate challenges faced by African nations, as highlighted by the Hanke’s Annual Misery Index of 2022, is crucial. This section emphasizes the importance of tackling inflation, unemployment, and poverty-contributing factors to create an enabling environment for economic growth and improved well-being. To overcome these challenges, decisive action and effective leadership are required, prioritizing the well-being of citizens and implementing sustainable economic policies.
In order to accelerate development, African countries need to learn from successful examples. By studying countries that have transformed their economies and improved living standards, Africa can adapt their strategies and adopt a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. This approach should include economic reforms, investments in education and skills, promotion of entrepreneurship, strengthening of institutions, improvement of infrastructure, and fostering regional cooperation.
By addressing the challenges highlighted by the Misery Index, African nations can create a favorable environment for economic growth and improved well-being. Effective leadership, learning from successful experiences, and implementing a comprehensive approach are essential for overcoming the present challenges and setting Africa on a sustainable path of development and prosperity.
- Implementing Sustainable Economic Strategies
To foster sustainable economic growth in Africa, it is crucial to address the root causes of economic challenges with comprehensive and innovative strategies. This includes implementing prudent fiscal policies to combat inflation effectively, controlling government spending, managing public debt, promoting transparency and accountability, and tackling waste and corruption in government spending. Additionally, creating sustainable employment opportunities through investments in sectors with growth potential, promoting entrepreneurship, vocational training programs, and public-private partnerships can empower individuals and drive economic progress.
Political stability is paramount for long-term economic growth. Fostering peaceful and inclusive societies, resolving conflicts through dialogue, and strengthening democratic institutions are key aspects to focus on.
By promoting the rule of law, protecting human rights, ensuring citizen participation, and establishing transparent governance structures, African nations can create a favorable environment for investment and sustainable development, attracting investments and encouraging the establishment of transparent governance structures.
Facilitating affordable and accessible credit is vital for stimulating investment and economic growth. African governments should work towards creating an enabling environment for credit access by implementing sound financial regulations, promoting competition among financial institutions, improving financial literacy, and empowering individuals and businesses with favorable credit terms through measures like credit guarantees for small enterprises.
- Promoting Infrastructure Development and Regional Integration
To achieve a sustainable future, Africa must prioritize infrastructure development and regional integration. Addressing Africa’s reliance on imported energy sources is a critical aspect of this endeavor.
By promoting decentralized renewable energy systems, such as mini-grids and community-owned projects, Africa can provide electricity access to remote areas while involving local communities in renewable energy initiatives.
These decentralized systems not only reduce dependence on imports but also yield cost savings, enhance energy security, lower emissions, and stimulate local economic growth. Successful implementation of these projects necessitates government support, financial incentives, and collaboration with the private sector.
In addition, digital connectivity and financial inclusion are instrumental in driving economic growth and development in Africa. By expanding broadband infrastructure and leveraging blockchain technology, Africa can revolutionize access to digital services, e-commerce, and education, thereby uplifting millions of lives.
This expansion of internet access extends the benefits of online banking, e-commerce platforms, and educational resources to underserved rural communities, fostering communication and collaboration between businesses and government agencies. Blockchain technology ensures secure and transparent financial transactions, effectively curbing fraud and corruption and bolstering trust in financial systems. Together, digital connectivity and financial inclusion empower Africa, promoting inclusivity and prosperity.
Furthermore, sustainable infrastructure development plays a crucial role in building a greener and more efficient future for Africa. By prioritizing green infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy-powered transportation systems and energy-efficient buildings, Africa can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and generate employment opportunities in the clean energy sector. Integrating smart city concepts further enhances efficiency by leveraging technology to optimize traffic flow and monitor energy usage, promoting sustainable urban development.
To drive economic progress, regional integration and trade promotion are vital for Africa. Strengthening regional economic communities encourages collaboration, reduces trade barriers, and harmonizes regulations, facilitating cross-border investments.
Developing robust transport and logistics networks enhances connectivity, enabling seamless movement of goods and services between businesses and markets. By promoting cross-border investments, Africa can leverage new technologies, skills, and job opportunities, fostering sustainable growth and development across the continent.
In conclusion, promoting infrastructure development and regional integration is crucial for Africa’s sustainable future. By focusing on decentralized renewable energy systems, digital connectivity, sustainable infrastructure, and regional collaboration, Africa can overcome challenges, drive economic growth, and foster prosperity.
- Uniting African Nations for Economic Progress
The unity and cooperation among African nations through regional or continental integration are paramount for driving economic progress. Currently, intra-Africa trade represents just 14.4% of total African exports. However, according to forecasts from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to boost intra-Africa trade by approximately 33% and reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51%. The relatively low levels of intra-regional trade in Africa compared to other regions like Europe (69%), Asia (59%), and North America (31%) underscore the need for enhanced collaboration within the continent.
The urgency for African countries to unite at the regional or continental levels cannot be overstated. Many African nations lack the necessary size and strength to effectively operate on their own. Encouragingly, the ongoing efforts made by East African countries towards unity serve as an inspiring example for the rest of Africa, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing pressing economic challenges. Prompt adoption of the East African model by other African countries and regions is essential.
The African Union (AU) has already taken significant strides in tackling economic challenges through initiatives like the AfCFTA, African Agenda 2063, and the development of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System by the African Export-Import Bank. These commendable efforts deserve recognition and support as they hold tremendous potential to drive Africa’s development. It is crucial to effectively implement these projects within their designated timeframes.
Successful execution of these initiatives would not only enhance intra-Africa trade but also contribute to overall economic growth and prosperity in Africa. Given the urgency of the situation, it is imperative for all African countries to unite and collectively overcome the obstacles that have hindered their progress.
Investing in critical areas such as inflation management, unemployment reduction, poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship promotion, political stability, affordable credit, renewable energy, digital connectivity, sustainable infrastructure, and regional integration is vital for Africa’s development.
By adopting a comprehensive approach and drawing inspiration from successful examples, Africa can reduce poverty, improve the quality of life, and stimulate economic growth. Effective leadership, innovation, and a commitment to learning from successful experiences are essential in paving the way towards a prosperous and inclusive future for Africa. The unity of African nations is the key to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
Conclusion
The economic challenges faced by African countries, as evidenced by the Hanke’s Annual Misery Index of 2022, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted strategies to address the root causes of these issues. Factors such as inflation, unemployment, political instability, and poor governance have a profound impact on the well-being and development of African nations. To overcome these challenges and unlock Africa’s economic potential, a multi-faceted approach is necessary.
Addressing inflation requires prudent fiscal policies, control over government spending, transparency, and accountability to combat rising prices. High unemployment rates, particularly among the youth, call for investments in education, vocational training, entrepreneurship promotion, and public-private partnerships to create sustainable job opportunities. Political stability is crucial for long-term economic growth, and it can be fostered through peaceful and inclusive societies, resolving conflicts, and strengthening democratic institutions.
To stimulate investment and economic growth, affordable and accessible credit must be facilitated through sound financial regulations, competition among financial institutions, and favorable credit terms for individuals and businesses.
The promotion of decentralized renewable energy systems can reduce Africa’s reliance on imported energy sources, improve energy security, and foster local economic development. Digital connectivity, financial inclusion, and the adoption of blockchain technology can revolutionize access to digital services, e-commerce, and education, promoting inclusivity and prosperity.
Sustainable infrastructure development, prioritizing green projects and smart city concepts, is essential for building a greener and more efficient future in Africa. Regional integration and trade promotion play a vital role in economic progress by fostering collaboration, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing connectivity. In fact, Africa needs to unite into confederated countries in order to maximize its potential and its place in the committee of nations.
By investing in these areas and adopting innovative strategies, Africa can address the root causes of economic challenges, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic growth. Effective leadership, learning from successful examples, and a commitment to comprehensive development are crucial in transforming the economic landscape of Africa and improving the livelihoods of its people. With the right policies and actions, Africa can pave the way for a prosperous and inclusive future.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), has convened a one-day workshop in Abuja to advance dialogue on the draft Online Harm Protection (OHP) Bill to confront harmful online content.
The bill, a rights-based, locally rooted, and multi-stakeholder initiative, is aimed at addressing the challenges of the digital age.
The event, which held yesterday, brought together government officials, civil society, academics, digital platforms, and legal experts to shape a policy framework designed to combat online ills such as cyberbullying, disinformation, hate speech, digital exploitation, and gender-based violence, while safeguarding democratic freedoms and digital inclusion.
In his keynote remarks, Kashifu Inuwa, director general, NITDA urged a paradigm shift in the way society engages with digital technologies.
“For almost two decades, we have viewed digital technology through a consumer lens. But these technologies are not just products and services. They are transforming how we live, work, and interact. They shape our politics, our society, and our democracy,” he said.
Warning against unaccountable digital power in the hands of private corporations, the DG likened the digital journey to the tale of Alice in Wonderland, where initial fascination with innovation has given way to deeper concerns about privacy, autonomy, and manipulation by big tech platforms.
“We thought we were using Google, but now we realise Google is using us. Social media, once a tool of expression, has become a tool of surveillance and influence,” Inuwa noted.
He, therefore, emphasised the urgency of developing a democratic and accountable framework. He explained that following the 2021 Twitter ban, NITDA facilitated dialogue between the government and platform operators, leading to a Code of Practice that stressed Nigeria’s sovereignty and legal standards.
According to him, the same process birthed the multi-stakeholder steering committee and the OHP White Paper in December 2024, laying the foundation for the current legislative push.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Victoria Manya, co-founder, API, observed the moral and civic necessity of the bill.
Her words: “The internet did not break society, it merely revealed its unfiltered version. Every day, Nigerians are exposed to harassment, disinformation, exploitation, and even algorithmic violence. The OHP Bill is not a war on the Internet. It is a peace offering to its users, a social contract for a digital future that is safe, inclusive, and democratic.
“We cannot answer the question of algorithmic power with unchecked state control. We must answer it with shared, rights-based governance. This bill must not be written for the people, but with them.”
These days, people rely heavily on their mobile phones for talking, texting, banking, social media, and storing important personal information. Because of this, scammers and spammers often target phone users.
Mobile fraud, like fake SMS messages and scams, is becoming more common and putting millions at risk of losing money or having their private details stolen.
Airtel’s new AI-powered Spam Alert Service offers a smart and timely way to fight back, marking a major step forward in protecting mobile users in Africa.
A brief look at mobile fraud and spam
Mobile fraud and spam are problems around the world, but they hit harder in places where mobile phone use is growing fast, and safety measures haven’t caught up.
A 2024 report from GSMA Mobile Economy shows that more than 20% of mobile users globally have experienced some kind of mobile fraud, with spam texts being one of the most common.
In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has noted a sharp rise in scam messages and fake calls, leading to yearly losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
These spam texts often include fake links, harmful ads, or tricks to steal personal details. Many people get caught without knowing, which can lead to stolen bank money, identity theft, or damaged devices.
Older spam blockers only work on certain phones or apps, leaving many people, especially those using basic phones, without protection.
Why Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service stands out
Airtel, a top telecom company in Africa, has launched a new and free service called the AI Spam Alert Service. It’s the first of its kind in Africa and aims to protect mobile users from spam text messages as they come in.
What makes this service different is that it doesn’t read or check the actual message content. Instead, it uses advanced artificial intelligence to quickly study the sender’s behaviour using over 250 signs or patterns, all within a fraction of a second.
Some of those parameters, according to Airtel, includes:
- How frequently the sender changes SIM cards.
- The volume and frequency of messages sent by the message initiator to different recipients.
- The geographical spread of the recipient numbers, whether messages are targeted locally or dispersed nationwide.
- Whether the sender receives replies or only sends messages.
- A cross-reference of numbers previously reported for spam activity.
The AI completes this analysis in just 2 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye, allowing real-time alerts to subscribers as suspected spam messages arrive.
How Airtel’s Spam Alert Service improves mobile safety and trust
Airtel’s new AI-powered spam alert system is set to make a big difference in mobile security across Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Instead of depending on users to block spam themselves, the service works directly through the network to stop suspicious messages before they reach people’s phones.
This kind of technology helps users feel safer and more confident using mobile networks—especially as more people rely on their phones for banking and other money-related services.
A 2025 report by McKinsey Digital shows that many Africans worry about mobile security when using digital financial tools. By reducing the risk of spam and fraud, Airtel is not only protecting its users but also helping to build a safer digital space where more people can take part in the growing mobile economy.
According to Airtel, within two months of its launch, the spam alert service system has identified 9,667,008 messages as potential spam.
Why this is a game changer
By building a service that is first-of-its-kind in Africa, Airtel is leading the way in offering spam alerts, powered by AI directly on its network, for over 150 million subscribers across the continent.
In addition, the service is quick, spotting suspicious sender activity in just milliseconds without reading users’ messages.
Finally, the service is free and requires no app downloads or extra setup. Airtel says the turns on automatically, making it easy for everyone to stay protected, even those using basic phones.
By sending signals to users before problems happen, Airtel boosts trust and encourages more people to safely use mobile money and other digital services.
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick consumers through the ubiquitous mobile phones, so increased demand for security improvements is, understandably, shifting to telecom companies.
Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service is a strong and timely move toward better, smarter protection for users. As more people start using the service, it should help cut down fraud, keep personal information safe, and make mobile use more enjoyable.
As African economies continue to grow more digital, users of telecom services will need more secure and reliable ways to communicate, and Airtel is leading the way towards that safe future.
A widespread cyberattack targeting Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) server software used by thousands of government agencies and businesses for internal document sharing was likely orchestrated by a single actor, a cybersecurity researcher said on Monday.
Microsoft issued an alert on Saturday warning of “active attacks” on on-premise SharePoint servers.
The company clarified that SharePoint Online, part of the Microsoft 365 cloud suite, was not affected by the exploit, which is considered a “zero-day” vulnerability due to its previously undiscovered nature.
“Based on the consistency of the tradecraft seen across observed attacks, the campaign launched on Friday appears to be a single actor. However, it’s possible that this will quickly change,” Rafe Pilling, director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos, a British cybersecurity firm.
That tradecraft included the sending of the same digital payload to multiple targets, Pilling added.
Microsoft said it had “provided security updates and encourages customers to install them,” a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
It was not clear who was behind the ongoing hack. The FBI said on Sunday it was aware of the attacks and was working closely with its federal and private-sector partners, but offered no other details.
Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Washington Post said unidentified actors in the past few days had exploited a flaw to launch an attack that targeted U.S. and international agencies and businesses.
According to data from Shodan, a search engine that helps to identify internet-linked equipment, over 8,000 servers online could theoretically have already been compromised by hackers.
Those servers include major industrial firms, banks, auditors, healthcare companies, and several U.S. state-level and international government entities.
“The SharePoint incident appears to have created a broad level of compromise across a range of servers globally,” said Daniel Card of British cybersecurity consultancy, PwnDefend.
“Taking an assumed breach approach is wise, and it’s also important to understand that just applying the patch isn’t all that is required here.”
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