Economy

Angola’s Oil Era Gives Way to a Bid for Sustainable Growth

From the deepwater rigs of the Atlantic to the farmlands of Huíla, a nation redefines its economic future. By Robert Stales Offshore in the South Atlantic, beneath waters the color of weathered cobalt, Angola’s oil...

Angola’s Economic Crossroads: Reform, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

By Robert Stales In the wake of decades defined by oil wealth and its volatile cycles, Angola is attempting one of the most ambitious economic recalibrations on the African continent. The nation—once tethered almost...

Bitter Harvest: Cocoa Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire Confront Falling Prices

In the humid lowlands of Côte d’Ivoire, the scent of fermenting cocoa beans hangs in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Under the shade of towering cacao trees, farmers move with deliberate precision, splitting pods to reveal the pale, sticky beans within—a process honed over generations. Yet behind this timeless ritual, a growing unease is taking root. Global cocoa prices have been sliding, and for the smallholder farmers who produce much of the world’s supply, the decline threatens more than just profits. Côte d’Ivoire, alongside Ghana, accounts for over 60 percent of global cocoa production, and the livelihoods of millions are intertwined with the volatile...

Angola’s Economic Crossroads: Reform, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

By Robert Stales In the wake of decades defined by oil wealth and its volatile cycles, Angola is attempting one of the most ambitious economic...

Angola’s Economic Crossroads: Reform, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

By Robert Stales In the wake of decades defined by oil wealth and its volatile cycles, Angola is attempting one of the most ambitious economic recalibrations on the African continent. The nation—once tethered almost entirely...

Cultural Tourism Fuels Djibouti’s Economic Growth

In the narrow lanes of Djibouti City’s central market, merchants call out over the din, their stalls stacked with fragrant spices, handwoven baskets, and bright textiles. Beyond the capital, the wind sweeps across the lunar-like salt flats of Lake Assal and the coral-fringed shores of the Red Sea. Together, these landscapes and traditions form the foundation of a growing sector that is reshaping the country’s economy: cultural tourism. Long known as a crossroads of trade...

Economic Growth in Burundi — Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

In the highland nation of Burundi, economic ambition exists alongside deep-seated structural challenges. Landlocked and densely populated, the East African country relies heavily on agriculture, yet faces persistent hurdles that have constrained consistent...

Economic Growth in Burundi — Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

In the highland nation of Burundi, economic ambition exists alongside deep-seated structural challenges. Landlocked and densely populated, the East...

Angola’s Oil Era Gives Way to a Bid for Sustainable Growth

From the deepwater rigs of the Atlantic to the farmlands of Huíla, a nation redefines its economic future. By Robert Stales Offshore in the South Atlantic, beneath waters the color of weathered cobalt, Angola’s oil...