• Africa-wide
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Comoros
  • Congo-Brazzaville
  • Congo-Kinshasa
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Djibouti
  • East Africa
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • São Tomé & Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Southern Africa
  • Sudan
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Western Sahara
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
    		•

    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: 36.1 mn. million
    GDP: $158 bn. million
    Debt: $4.7 bn. million

    Localised protests will continue as the government attempts conciliation. Public expenditure could rise by 25% or more in consequence. Meaningful reforms ahead of May's parliamentary elections are unlikely.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/1/ALGERIA

    Angola
    Population: 19 mn. million
    GDP: 82.5 bn. million
    Debt: 14.2 bn. million

    A general election is due in the last quarter. President José Eduardo dos Santos will keep everyone guessing about his succession, probably until after the election. Infrastructure investment is a priority; investors respond as fiscal management improves.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/2/ANGOLA

    Benin
    Population: 9.6 mn. million
    GDP: 6.6 bn. million
    Debt: 0.7 bn. million

    President Thomas Yayi Boni will remain under pressure to launch a dialogue with opposition leaders. They fear he will try to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/3/BENIN

    Botswana
    Population: 1.8 mn. million
    GDP: 14.8 bn. million
    Debt: 1.0 bn. million

    President Ian Khama struggles to keep the ruling BDP united but will lose more members to the breakaway BMD, especially if last year's public sector strikes resume. Diamond and meat exports push up GDP by 6%.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/4/BOTSWANA

    Burkina Faso
    Population: 14.6 mn. million
    GDP: 8.9 bn. million
    Debt: 1.3 bn. million

    After protests and military mutinies President Blaise Compaoré will fail to change the constitution and secure another term for 2015. He faces growing opposition in 2012's elections.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/5/BURKINA_FASO

    Burundi
    Population: 8.3 mn. million
    GDP: 1.4 bn. million
    Debt: 0.2 bn. million

    President Pierre Nkurunziza's crackdown, which has driven opponents, including FNL leader Agathon Rwasa into exile, continues. Although the IMF has endorsed the government, others are critical about growing corruption.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/6/BURUNDI

    Cameroon
    Population: 20.4 mn. million
    GDP: 22.5 bn. million
    Debt: 0.8 bn. million

    President Paul Biya's victory in last October's presidential elections with 78% of the vote has further destabilised the chronically divided opposition ahead of this year's local and parliamentary elections, yet quiet discussions will start about his successor. One to watch is his nephew Louis-Paul Motaze.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/7/CAMEROON

    Cape Verde
    Population: 0.5 mn. million
    GDP: 1.7 bn. million
    Debt: 0.4 bn. million

    The political class will struggle to make a success of cohabitation between the PAICV-controlled parliament and MpD-supported President Jorge Fonseca. The fate of the euro, to which the currency is fixed, is critical, as is the management of a big public investment programme and the rising deficit.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/8/CAPE_VERDE

    Central African Republic
    Population: 4.6 mn. million
    GDP: 2 bn. million
    Debt: 0.2 bn. million

    The disputes over victories by President François Bozizé and his party in 2011's elections will entrench the political standoff with the opposition, dismissed by Bozizé as 'terrorists'. State salaries are unpaid and tolerance of government corruption is diminishing.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/9/CENTRAL_AFRICAN_REPUBLIC

    Chad
    Population: 10.2 mn. million
    GDP: 8.5 bn. million
    Debt: 1.4 bn. million

    President Idriss Déby Itno's 83.6% election victory- in the face of an opposition boycott- won't help his legitimacy. Despite oil revenues, the economy will be hard hit by regional instability after the fall of Gadaffi. The Sudan regime's killing of Déby's cousin and JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim will hinder rapprochement with Khartoum.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/10/CHAD

    Comoros
    Population: 0.7 mn. million
    GDP: 0.6 bn. million
    Debt: 0.2 bn. million

    President Ikililou Dhoinine wants to impose federal authority on truculent island governors demanding rights to appoint key officials. Sale of fishing rights may boost income but more Indian and Gulf investment is needed.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/11/COMOROS

    Congo-Brazzaville
    Population: 3.8 mn. million
    GDP: 12.0 bn. million
    Debt: 1.3 bn. million

    President Denis Sassou-Nguesso and the ruling PCT are confident of an easy if illegitimate victory in parliamentary elections. French support has helped deflect IMF and World Bank criticism of corruption and mismanagement. France's Total will lead in developing the US$10 bn. Moho Bilondo oil field.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/12/CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE

    Congo-Kinshasa
    Population: 70.4 mn. million
    GDP: 13.0 bn. million
    Debt: 2.4 bn. million

    President Joseph Kabila's disputed election victory will dominate politics as opposition candidate Étienne Tshisekedi declares himself the 'real' president. Militia violence will plague the east but mining output is due to grow by about 15% over the next four years.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/53/CONGO-KINSHASA

    Côte d'Ivoire
    Population: 22.0 mn. million
    GDP: 23.0 bn. million
    Debt: 9.7 bn. million

    The contrast between ex-president Laurent Gbagbo's ICC trial in The Hague and President Alassane Dramane Ouattara's reluctance to hold his FRCI soldiers to account for abuses will slow reconciliation. Former IMF official Ouattara will use his international connections to bring in funding.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/13/C%c3%94TE_D%27IVOIRE

    Djibouti
    Population: 0.8 mn. million
    GDP: 1.1 bn. million
    Debt: 0.5 bn. million

    President Ismail Omar Guelleh's easy victory last April will keep him in office until 2017. The use of Djibouti as a military base by the USA and France allows him free rein to suppress growing opposition. Regional intervention in Somalia could unsettle him.
    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: 77.8 mn. million
    GDP: 219.0 bn. million
    Debt: 26.6 bn. million

    The military retain the upper hand in battles with ascendant Islamist parties over a new constitution and managing the lacklustre economy, with minority liberals and secularists in the middle of an increasingly bitter contest.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/16/EGYPT

    Equatorial Guinea
    Population: 1.3 mn. million
    GDP: 14.5 bn. million
    Debt: n/a million

    President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will continue rhetoric on reform while implementing none and facing no challenges, save advancing age and family feuds. Oil production should rise to 300,000 barrels a day amid talk of another LNG plant.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/17/EQUATORIAL_GUINEA

    Eritrea
    Population: 5.3 mn. million
    GDP: 2.1 bn. million
    Debt: 0.6 bn. million

    Still isolated over his policies on Somalia and Ethiopia, President Issayas Aferwerki will be boosted by a medium-term revenue bonanza from Canada's Nevsun gold mine and other mining projects. Afewerki is unlikely to face sanctions.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/18/ERITREA

    Ethiopia
    Population: 84.8 mn. million
    GDP: 29.7 bn. million
    Debt: 2.9 bn. million

    The EPRDF congress in September will discuss possible successors to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, with Haile Mariam Desalegne as a front-runner despite Amhara and Oromo opposition. High growth rates and collaboration with the USA and UK on Somalia will deflect criticism on human rights.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/19/ETHIOPIA

    Gabon
    Population: 1.5 mn. million
    GDP: 13.1 bn. million
    Debt: 2.0 bn. million

    President Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba's stature will benefit from co-hosting the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea. His clever diplomacy- working closely with the USA and China- will reap dividends as investors look at iron ore and oil prospects.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/20/GABON

    Gambia
    Population: 1.7mn. million
    GDP: 1.0bn. million
    Debt: 0.2bn. million

    After bludgeoning his way to another presidential election victory without any serious sanction from the Commonwealth or USA, Yahya Jammeh will also prevail in March's parliamentary elections. His sponsorship of insurgents and links to crime syndicates underline regional unease.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/21/GAMBIA

    Ghana
    Population: 23.7 mn. million
    GDP: 32.3 bn. million
    Debt: 4.2 bn. million

    Cost of living issues and oil revenue management will dominate December's general election pitting President John Atta Mills of the NDC against the NPP's Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The opposition is favoured to win narrowly.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/22/GHANA

    Guinea
    Population: 10.3 mn. million
    GDP: 4.6 bn. million
    Debt: 2.0 bn. million

    Stability will depend on credible parliamentary elections this year, following President Alpha Condé's attempted rapprochement with the opposition. Slow progress on mining sector reforms and sceptical foreign companies are holding back bauxite and iron ore developments.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/23/GUINEA

    Guinea Bissau
    Population: 1.6 mn. million
    GDP: 0.8 bn. million
    Debt: 0.8 bn. million

    Concerns grow over seriously ill President Malam Bacai Sanhá although Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior will dominate government. Infrastructure investment will be the emphasis of a mainly foreign aid financed programme.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/24/GUINEA_BISSAU

    Kenya
    Population: 39.7 mn. million
    GDP: 32.0 bn. million
    Debt: 5.7 bn. million

    New, independent judges may block some candidates for the presidential election when the ICC confirms the charges against the Ocampo Six. The Somalia incursion could fizzle out or turn into a quagmire but Al Shabaab-inspired terrorism will increase regardless.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/25/KENYA

    Lesotho
    Population: 2.5 mn. million
    GDP: 2.3 bn. million
    Debt: 0.4 bn. million

    National elections are due between April and June with the ruling LCD leader, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, set to nominate Monyane Moleleki as his successor. The MMP lacks support and the LCD will win on a low turnout.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/26/LESOTHO

    Liberia
    Population: 4.3 mn. million
    GDP: 1.0 bn. million
    Debt: 2.0 bn. million

    After fractious elections in November President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf risks alienating her Union Party loyalists by giving jobs to opposition politicians, especially the CDC's Winston Tubman, in an attempt at reconciliation.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/27/LIBERIA

    Libya
    Population: 6.6 mn. million
    GDP: 71.3 bn. million
    Debt: n/a million

    The National Transitional Council will struggle to meet the June 2012 deadline to hold elections for a 200-member constituent assembly. Prime Minister Abdurrahim el Keib's government urgently needs to appoint a new army chief as it tries to mould more than 200 militias into a single national force.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/28/LIBYA

    Madagascar
    Population: 21.3 mn. million
    GDP: 8.8 bn. million
    Debt: 1.5 bn. million

    With French and South African help, Andry Rajoelina will push ahead with his plans to win national elections and sideline ousted president and yoghurt magnate Marc Ravalomanana, despite growing criticism of his business methods and corrupt networks.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/29/MADAGASCAR

    Malawi
    Population: 15.7 mn. million
    GDP: 5.4 bn. million
    Debt: 0.6 bn. million

    President Bingu wa Mutharika will try to address criticism of his record to secure more aid. As his pro-China stance and agricultural development will not provide sufficient cash, he will have to negotiate credits from the IMF.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/30/MALAWI

    Mali
    Population: 13.4 mn. million
    GDP: 9.4 bn. million
    Debt: 1.2 bn. million

    Soumaïla Cissé, Dioncounda Traoré and Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta will run for president in April to succeed Amadou Toumani Touré. Education reforms and strengthening of Sahel security policy will dominate the political agenda.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/31/MALI

    Mauritania
    Population: 3.2 mn. million
    GDP: 3.6 bn. million
    Debt: 2.6 bn. million

    President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz will keep qualified western backing for his authoritarian regime premised on his fight against insurgents linked to Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. Pro-democracy protests will grow as economic conditions remain poor. New investors will look at the gold, oil and uranium prospects.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/32/MAURITANIA

    Mauritius
    Population: 1.3 mn. million
    GDP: 9.7 bn. million
    Debt: 0.5 bn. million

    Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam's survival seems doubtful, with a parliamentary majority of only three. He will strengthen his position by sacrificing health minister Maya Honoomanjee and engineering a return to previous high growth levels.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/33/MAURITIUS

    Morocco
    Population: 31.9 mn. million
    GDP: 91.1 bn. million
    Debt: 19.6 bn. million

    The Islamist PJD-led coalition is set for conflict with the King. Palace-appointed conservatives control the security state while former dissident Mustapha Ramid holds the justice ministry. This government is Mohamed VI's last chance to fend off revolution.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/34/MOROCCO

    Mozambique
    Population: 21.6 mn. million
    GDP: 9.5 bn. million
    Debt: 1.6 bn. million

    Government business will take a back seat as Frelimo factions prepare for the September congress to debate a successor to President Armando Guebuza in the 2015 election. Railway rehabilitation speeds up to boost coal and other exports.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/35/MOZAMBIQUE

    Namibia
    Population: 2.1 mn. million
    GDP: 11.7 bn. million
    Debt: n/a million

    Vice-President Hage Geingob is likely to emerge as President Hifikepunye Pohamba's successor against a strong field at the SWAPO conference. Mining is strong, investment is up and GDP growth of 4.2% is forecast.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/36/NAMIBIA

    Niger
    Population: 14.6 mn. million
    GDP: 5.5 bn. million
    Debt: 0.6 bn. million

    President Mahamadou Issoufou's most serious challenge will be to absorb 250,000 Nigerians who fled Libya and to cope without their remittances. He will back Mali in the campaign against Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. Food security remains tenuous but oil and uranium revenues boost the budget.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/37/NIGER

    Nigeria
    Population: 156 mn. million
    GDP: 202.5 bn. million
    Debt: 5.9 bn. million

    The northern insurgency and protests against the abolition of the US$7 bn. fuel subsidies are rocking President Goodluck Jonathan's government. Without new social and productive investment in the north the crisis will escalate and threaten national unity.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/38/NIGERIA

    Rwanda
    Population: 10.3 mn. million
    GDP: 5.6 bn. million
    Debt: 0.4 bn. million

    Regional ructions in Congo-Kinshasa and Burundi will temper international criticism of President Paul Kagame's authoritarian style. The UK remains a close ally. Difficult relations with South Africa after men arrested in Pretoria are charged with trying to assassinate some of Kagame's opponents.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/39/RWANDA

    São Tomé & Príncipe
    Population: 0.2 mn. million
    GDP: 0.2 bn. million
    Debt: 0.2 bn. million

    Newly re-elected President Manuel Pinto da Costa will ask favours of old revolutionary comrades in Angola's MPLA as fiscal problems accumulate. Progress on the Fernão Dias deep water port will remain sluggish.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/40/S%c3%83O_TOM%c3%89_%26_PR%c3%8dNCIPE

    Senegal
    Population: 13.1 mn. million
    GDP: 12.9 bn. million
    Debt: 2.5 bn. million

    Youssou N'Dour's candidacy in February's presidential is dramatic bus established opposition candidates like Macky Sall will make the best showing. President Abdoulaye Wade cannot win against a credible unity candidate in a second round.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/41/SENEGAL

    Seychelles
    Population: 0.1 mn. million
    GDP: 0.9 bn. million
    Debt: 1.7 bn. million

    President James Michel must make electoral reforms after the opposition SNP's boycott. Economic plans may include the introduction of VAT and privatisation of some parastatals.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/42/SEYCHELLES

    Sierra Leone
    Population: 5.8 mn. million
    GDP: 1.9 bn. million
    Debt: 0.4 bn. million

    Massive iron ore exports are due to begin but state revenues will be small as companies negotiated low tax rates. President Ernest Bai Koroma faces a difficult re-election fight against the SLPP's Julius Maada Bio in November.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/43/SIERRA_LEONE

    Somalia
    Population: 9.3 mn. million
    GDP: 0.9 bn. million
    Debt: 3.7 bn. million

    Al Shabaab will target Kenya with terrorist attacks while soldiers from Kenya and Ethiopia, helped by the USA and France, step up their interventions. Little new is expected from UK Prime Minister David Cameron's Somalia conference in February.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/44/SOMALIA

    South Africa
    Population: 50.0 mn. million
    GDP: 364 bn. million
    Debt: 42.0 bn. million

    ANC faction-fighting will dominate politics- and paralyse government business- ahead of the December 2012 ANC congress in Bloemfontein, where President Jacob Zuma should narrowly secure re-election as party president. The nationalisation is scaring foreign investors.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/45/SOUTH_AFRICA

    South Sudan
    Population: 8 mn. million
    GDP: n/a million
    Debt: n/a million

    The government will struggle to meet aspirations and rebuild the war-shattered economy. Tensions on the undemarcated border and disputes over oil threaten further conflict with Sudan, underlining the need for a new corridor to the Indian Ocean.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/62/SOUTH_SUDAN

    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: 40.1 mn. million
    GDP: 65.3 bn. million
    Debt: 35.0 bn. million

    South Sudan's secession will remain the dominant issue, with border demarcation, Abyei, citizenship and oil unresolved. The National Congress Party will dig in while the economy continues its decline. Opposition, both civilian and armed, will spread.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/46/SUDAN

    Swaziland
    Population: 1.2 mn. million
    GDP: 3.7 bn. million
    Debt: 0.4 bn. million

    The fiscal crisis will transform, if not terminate, the monarchy. The government will try for massive cash injections from friendly foreign states but probably end up accepting South Africa's highly conditional $300 mn. loan.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/47/SWAZILAND

    Tanzania
    Population: 41.3 mn. million
    GDP: 22.5 bn. million
    Debt: 2.6 bn. million

    The CCM old guard battles with the Samwel Sitta faction for the soul of the party as Chadema makes its challenge more credible. Major oil and gas investments are in store as electricity supplies improve.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/48/TANZANIA

    Togo
    Population: 6.9 mn. million
    GDP: 3.2 bn. million
    Debt: 1.3 bn. million

    President Faure Gnassingbé grows in confidence after victory in 2010's peaceful presidential elections and co-option of opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio gaoling of his younger brother Kpatcha also helps.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/49/TOGO

    Tunisia
    Population: 10.5mn. million
    GDP: 44.2bn. million
    Debt: 19.6bn. million

    Islamist Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali tries to reassure France and western investors as signs emerge of a post-rebellion recovery. President Moncef Marzouki will act as a secularist counterweight to Islamist currents.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/50/TUNISIA

    Uganda
    Population: 34.0 mn. million
    GDP: 17.0 bn. million
    Debt: 1.1 bn. million

    Kizza Besigye's political challenge dwindles while dissent grows in the NRM, where factions are plotting over the succession to President Yoweri Museveni, who still eyes an East African presidential role. Progress on oil and gas production.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/51/UGANDA

    Western Sahara
    Population: n/a million
    GDP: n/a million
    Debt: n/a million

    Morocco's Islamist-led government offers no change in policy on Western Sahara, and Spain is sacrificing Polisario to warmer relations with Rabat. Polisario may score a legal success in the battle over offshore oil rights.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/52/WESTERN_SAHARA

    Zambia
    Population: 13.2 mn. million
    GDP: 16.2 bn. million
    Debt: 1.1 bn. million

    President Michael Sata will use his anti-corruption drive to silence the MMD, now in opposition. He will battle to honour his commitment to higher pay, especially in the copper mines. The MMD will replace leader and former president Rupiah Banda.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/54/ZAMBIA

    Zimbabwe
    Population: 12.6 mn. million
    GDP: 7.5 bn. million
    Debt: 6.2 bn. million

    President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai want an election this year, but another violent debacle looms in the absence of a constitutional solution. Farm and mining output, particularly platinum and diamonds, will improve.
    http://www.africa-confidential.com/browse-by-country/id/55/ZIMBABWE