Africa-wide
Population: n/a million
GNI: n/a million
Debt: n/a million

Africa-wide
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/56/AFRICA-WIDE

Algeria
Population: 33.3 million
GNI: 101200 million
Debt: 16400 million

Government reconciliation efforts have not stemmed the number or magnitude of terrorist attacks. Al Qaida's local affiliate pledges to step up attacks as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika prepares for a constitutional referendum and an eventual third term run in 2009.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/1/ALGERIA

Angola
Population: 16.4 million
GNI: 32400 million
Debt: 9400 million

Asian and Western investors flock in as oil revenues and production spiral, providing a local boom ahead of legislative elections due in mid-2008, which the ruling MPLA looks sure to win. President José Eduardo dos Santos shows no signs of retiring.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/2/ANGOLA

Benin
Population: 8.7 million
GNI: 4700 million
Debt: 1800 million

Buoyed by victory in last year's legislative elections, President Yayi Boni's team of technocrats will push ahead with macroeconomic reform and privatisation.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/3/BENIN

Botswana
Population: 1.8 million
GNI: 10400 million
Debt: 44 million

In early 2008, President Festus Mogae will step down in favour of Vice-President Ian Khama, who will try to resolve splits in the Botswana Democratic Party before legislative elections in 2009.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/4/BOTSWANA

Burkina Faso
Population: 13.6 million
GNI: 6300 million
Debt: 1900 million

This year, President Blaise Campaoré will complete his skilful transition from main foreign backer of the rebellion in Côte d'Ivoire to a leading peacemaker. At home he will subdue opposition with a mix of coercion and cash.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/5/BURKINA-FASO

Burundi
Population: 7.8 million
GNI: 794 million
Debt: 1.2 million

To defuse the political stalemate, President Pierre Nkurunziza will make more concessions to satisfy critics within his party, the opposition and Agathon Rwasa's Forces Nationales de Libération.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/6/BURUNDI

Cameroon
Population: 16.7 million
GNI: 18100 million
Debt: 6100 million

The ruling Rassemblement Democratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC) campaigns for constitutional change and another term for President Paul Biya in 2011 as relations deteriorate with neighbouring Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/7/CAMEROON

Cape Verde
Population: 0.51 million
GNI: 1100 million
Debt: 480 million

Presiding over a booming economy and tourism, President Pedro Pires and Premier José Maria Neves' Partido Africano da Independência de Cabo Verde is likely to sweep local elections this year.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/8/CAPE-VERDE

Central African Republic
Population: 4 million
GNI: 1500 million
Debt: 870 million

A reconciliation conference raises hopes as President François Bozizé talks to some of his opponents. Contributions run late for the European force to stem the spillover from conflict in Chad and Sudan.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/9/CENTRAL-AFRICAN-REPUBLIC

Chad
Population: 10 million
GNI: 4700 million
Debt: 1500 million

Renewed rebellion in the east and a proxy war with Sudan complicates President Idriss Déby Itno's calculations. Despite a souring of relations, Paris will support his regime and European peacekeepers on the border.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/10/CHAD

Comoros
Population: 0.6 million
GNI: 410 million
Debt: 260 million

After imposing a naval blockade, AU diplomats will try to resolve the electoral dispute that has poisoned relations between the federal government and Anjouan Island.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/11/COMOROS

Congo-Brazzaville
Population: 4 million
GNI: 3800 million
Debt: 5200 million

Having co-opted the main opposition politicians in the 2007 elections, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso will campaign for another presidential term. His international standing is worse than ever.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/12/CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE

Congo-Kinshasa (DRC)
Population: 59.3 million
GNI: 7700 million
Debt: 9400 million

Diplomats will step up efforts to dampen down conflict in the Kivus, as President Joseph Kabila faces huge financing and infrastructure deficits, and must rule on the validity of some key mining contracts.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/53/CONGO-KINSHASA-(DRC)

Côte d'Ivoire
Population: 18.5 million
GNI: 16000 million
Debt: 9900 million

The much delayed presidential election is scheduled for June but progress on disarmament and identification is needed if the poll is to be credible and consolidate President Laurent Gbagbo's deal with rebel leader Guillaume Soro.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/13/C%c3%94TE-D'IVOIRE

Djibouti
Population: 0.8 million
GNI: 856 million
Debt: 390 million

Gulf investors flood in while President Ismael Omar Guelleh profits from US and French garrisons and offers some electoral reform ahead of legislative elections in early 2008.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/15/DJIBOUTI

East Africa
Population: n/a million
GNI: n/a million
Debt: n/a million

East Africa
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/61/EAST-AFRICA

Egypt
Population: 75 million
GNI: 101000 million
Debt: 28100 million

Slow-motion battle to succeed septuagenarian President Hosni Mubarak pits presidential son and proclaimed reformer Gamal Mubarak against military elite while the Muslim Brotherhood's grassroots support grows.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/16/EGYPT

Equatorial Guinea
Population: 0.5 million
GNI: 420 million
Debt: 220 million

His domestic opponents vanquished or in exile, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo plans to run again in 2009 and spend some of the largesse from new oil and gas discoveries and 2008's licensing round.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/17/EQUATORIAL-GUINEA

Eritrea
Population: 4.5 million
GNI: 890 million
Debt: 720 million

Ineffectual mediation means the border dispute with Ethiopia continues. President Issayas Afeworki will still counter Ethiopia by backing Ogaden secessionists and Somali oppositionists.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/18/ERITREA

Ethiopia
Population: 72.7 million
GNI: 12900 million
Debt: 5900 million

As international criticism mounts, Premier Meles Zenawi will ease the hard line against domestic opposition, except Ogadeni separatists. Ethiopia's invasion of Somalia and the Eritrea border will be heavily contested.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/19/ETHIOPIA

Gabon
Population: 1.4 million
GNI: 7000 million
Debt: 3600 million

After 40 years in power, President Omar Bongo calls for action on corruption but will not sanction his family or corrupt party barons determined to capitalise on another oil boom.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/20/GABON

Gambia
Population: 1.5 million
GNI: 440 million
Debt: 620 million

Self-appointed curer of HIV-Aids, President Yahya Jammeh faces a growing threat from dissident military officers. He will be regionally ostracised after the 'disappearance' of over 400 Ghanaians in Gambia.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/21/GAMBIA

Ghana
Population: 22.5 million
GNI: 11800 million
Debt: 5700 million

December's presidential and legislative elections will dominate the political and economic year. The governing New Patriotic Party will try to engineer a mini-boom before a hard fought contest with the National Democratic Congress.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/22/GHANA

Guinea
Population: 9.2 million
GNI: 3700 million
Debt: 2900 million

Reforming Premier Lansana Kouyaté's will come under pressure from regime conservatives and the increasingly strident trades unionists as oppositionists go back on to the streets.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/23/GUINEA

Guinea Bissau
Population: 1.6 million
GNI: 310 million
Debt: 670 million

International concern grows about Bissau's narco-state as evidence implicates officials in President João Bernardo 'Nino' Vieira's regime. Premier Martinho N'Dafa Kabi concentrates on March's legislative elections.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/24/GUINEA-BISSAU

Kenya
Population: 35.1 million
GNI: 20500 million
Debt: 5500 million

Political tensions will stay high as international mediators urge Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga to share power. The threat of governmental stalemate and communal violence damages the economy.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/25/KENYA

Lesotho
Population: 1.8 million
GNI: 1800 million
Debt: 650 million

Economic prospects outshine politics as oppositionists reject the Lesotho Congress for Democracy's victory in February 2007's elections. Finance Minister Tim Thahane steers the economy towards record growth.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/26/LESOTHO

Liberia
Population: 3.4 million
GNI: 470 million
Debt: 1100 million

Political logjams have slowed post-conflict reconstruction, signalling the end of a honeymoon as government finances struggle while waiting for debt relief.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/27/LIBERIA

Libya
Population: 6 million
GNI: 44000 million
Debt: n/a million

Colonel Moammar el Gadaffi will reap more rewards from intelligence cooperation with the West targeting Islamist militants, especially Al Qaida. Doubts grow about political reform ahead of a promised new constitution in 2009.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/28/LIBYA

Madagascar
Population: 19 million
GNI: 5300 million
Debt: 3200 million

President Marc Ravalomanana consolidates his domination of politics after his Tiako-I-Madagaskira party's sweeping victory in the 2007 legislative elections. Textile exports will do well but agriculture is languishing.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/29/MADAGASCAR

Malawi
Population: 13.2 million
GNI: 2300 million
Debt: 3000 million

The parliamentary deadlock will continue but President Bingu wa Mutharika will emerge on top in time for the 2009 general election. Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe is steering the economy towards record growth and low inflation.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/30/MALAWI

Mali
Population: 13.9 million
GNI: 6100 million
Debt: 2800 million

President Amadou Toumani Touré is launching a new development drive as income from gold and cotton exports looks uncertain. A Tuareg rebellion in the north persists.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/31/MALI

Mauritania
Population: 3.2 million
GNI: 2300 million
Debt: 2000 million

Voters hope that President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and his technocratic ministers will improve public services and cut inflation after services and cut inflation after their 2007 election win. The security forces are braced for more Al Qaida attacks.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/32/MAURITANIA

Mauritius
Population: 1.3 million
GNI: 6800 million
Debt: 800 million

More jobs and Asian investment have not taken the sting out of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Finance Minister Rama Sithanen's programme of social and economic reforms.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/33/MAURITIUS

Morocco
Population: 30.5 million
GNI: 58000 million
Debt: 16200 million

New Premier Abass al Fassi will move cautiously on economic and political modernisation as the kingdom's Islamist opponents regroup. Pressure is growing in fresh talks with Polisario Front over Western Sahara referendum.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/34/MOROCCO

Mozambique
Population: 20 million
GNI: 6900 million
Debt: 4400 million

A Chinese-style mix off 'Market-Leninism' will allow President Armando Guebuza to purge the ruling Frelimo party, promote loyalists and maintain an impressive momentum of economic growth despite and overbearing bureaucracy.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/35/MOZAMBIQUE

Namibia
Population: 2.1 million
GNI: 6600 million
Debt: N/A million

Despite a relatively sound economy, the defection of dissident Hidipo Hamutenya from the ruling South West Africa People's Organisation offers a serious political challenge to President Hifikepunye Pohamba's government.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/36/NAMIBIA

Niger
Population: 14.4 million
GNI: 3700 million
Debt: 1800 million

A Tuareg-led rebellion in the north, food shortages and rows with France over the price of uranium exports will test President Mamadou Tandja's government. Criticism is mounting of his treatment of oppositionists.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/37/NIGER

Nigeria
Population: 144.7 million
GNI: 92400 million
Debt: 20300 million

Courtroom battles over last year's elections may trigger a major political upset as oil and gas revenues rise further. Banks and telecoms companies are preparing big new investments.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/38/NIGERIA

Rwanda
Population: 9.2 million
GNI: 2300 million
Debt: 1400 million

Higher growth and rising school enrolment boost President Paul Kagame's authoritarian Front Patriotique Rwandais while relations with France will gradually improve. Eastern Congo's persisting crisis will reverberate in Kigali.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/39/RWANDA

São Tomé & Príncipe
Population: 0.20 million
GNI: 120 million
Debt: 330 million

Social discontent will rise in 2008 as President Fradique de Menezes struggles to resolve the chaos in the National Assembly after economic growth dips and oil exploration proves disappointing.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/40/S%c3%83O-TOM%c3%89-%26-PR%c3%8dNCIPE

Senegal
Population: 11.9 million
GNI: 8900 million
Debt: 3600 million

After marginalising the opposition parties, President Abdoulaye Wade tips his son Karim for the succession, embarks on grand infrastructure projects and hosts the Organisation of Islamic Conference summit in March.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/41/SENEGAL

Seychelles
Population: 0.9 million
GNI: 704 million
Debt: 400 million

With a renewed mandate for his Seychelles People's Progressive Party in last year's legislative elections, President James Michel will push ahead with more economic restructuring to encourage investment and tourism.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/42/SEYCHELLES

Sierra Leone
Population: 5.6 million
GNI: 1400 million
Debt: 1400 million

President Ernest Bai Koroma's pledges to restore electricity and piped water and vanquish corruption will be tested after a slow start to his new administration. Expect controversy as a mining contracts' review gets under way.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/43/SIERRA-LEONE

Somalia
Population: 8.5 million
GNI: N/A million
Debt: 1900 million

The appointment of Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein 'Adde' and the illness of President Abdullahi Yusuf offer a better chance of substantive negotiations with the opposition. Ethiopians and the AU force face more terror attacks
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/44/SOMALIA

South Africa
Population: 47.4 million
GNI: 255300 million
Debt: 20900 million

The ANC leadership battle continues in August when part President Jacob Zuma faces corruption charges while his supporters plot against national President Thabo Mbeki. The political mayhem will undermine the economy.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/45/SOUTH-AFRICA

Southern Africa
Population: n/a million
GNI: n/a million
Debt: n/a million

Southern Africa
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/60/SOUTHERN-AFRICA

Sudan
Population: 37 million
GNI: 29900 million
Debt: 11700 million

President Omer Hassan Ahmed el Beshir's National Congress will fight on several fronts: suppressing rebellions in Darfur and undermining the weak UN mission; in proxy wars with Chad and the Central African Republic; and keeping pressure on South Sudan.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/46/SUDAN

Swaziland
Population: 1.1 million
GNI: 2700 million
Debt: 450 million

There is little prospect of agreement on constitutional reform ahead of the October elections or any reduction in King Mswati III's absolute powers. Most Swazis will face food shortages, prolonged drought and joblessness.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/47/SWAZILAND

Tanzania
Population: 39.5 million
GNI: 13400 million
Debt: 6200 million

Pressure grows President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete to act decisively against corrupt politicians and officials as economic management problems persist. Kikwete will reshuffle his cabinet, including perhaps Premier Edward Lowassa.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/48/TANZANIA

Togo
Population: 6.3 million
GNI: 2200 million
Debt: 1500 million

Last year's gerrymandered legislative elections brought the opposition into parliament and will trigger a resumption of EU and IMF aid. Contesting the results in court, the opposition still distrusts President Faure Gnassingbé.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/49/TOGO

Tunisia
Population: 10.1 million
GNI: 30100 million
Debt: 14700 million

Ex-policeman President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali will keep an iron grip on power ahead of elections in 2009, in which his Rassemblement Constitutionnel Démocratique will use cash and incumbency to marginalise the opposition.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/50/TUNISIA

Uganda
Population: 29.9 million
GNI: 8900 million
Debt: 4300 million

Deteriorating relations with Buganda over land reform, worsening corruption, failing peace negotiations with the Lord's Resistance Army and fallout from Kenya's crisis presage a difficult year for President Yoweri Museveni.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/51/UGANDA

Western Sahara
Population: 0.27 million
GNI: n/a million
Debt: n/a million

The Polisario Front threatens a resumption of armed hostilities should US-mediated negotiations with Morocco fail to produce agreement on a referendum on the future of Western Sahara.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/52/WESTERN-SAHARA

Zambia
Population: 11.9 million
GNI: 7500 million
Debt: 4900 million

Efforts to restructure the constitution will fall behind schedule and the trial of ex-President Frederick Chiluba will probably falter, but the economy will grow strongly, buoyed by increasing copper production.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/54/ZAMBIA

Zimbabwe
Population: 13.1 million
GNI: 4500 million
Debt: 3300 million

Efforts by ZANU-PF dissidents under General Solomon Mujuru to form a United Front with Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC might just halt President Robert Mugabe's march towards another election victory in 2008.
http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/55/ZIMBABWE