According to the Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum, Sub-Saharan Africa has made notable strides in closing the gender gap, improving by an overall 5.6 percentage points since 2006. This progress is evident as 21 out of 35 economies in the region rank within the top 100 globally. Namibia, in particular, stands out as a top-ten performer, showcasing the positive impact of gender-inclusive policies on economic outcomes.

READ ALSO: International Women’s Day: Celebrating the Architects of Change and the Power of ‘She’

One key takeaway from the report is that the “Participation and Opportunity” index currently stands at 68.1%, reflecting significant advancements in labour-force participation and notable progress in women’s representation in technical and professional roles. Increasing women’s engagement in the workforce is not just a matter of equity; it is a crucial driver of economic growth.

Studies have consistently shown that bridging gender inequalities in labour force participation can lead to enhanced Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In many African economies, where agriculture and informal trading dominate, empowering women with access to education, financing, and technology can drive substantial increases in productivity. For instance, Rwanda has become a beacon of gender inclusion, with women playing vital roles in both governance and business, demonstrating that gender equality can be a catalyst for economic growth.

Investing in women’s economic participation has far-reaching benefits, particularly in poverty reduction. Women tend to reinvest up to 90% of their earnings back into their families and communities, improving access to education, healthcare, and overall living standards. Financial inclusion—through mechanisms such as bank accounts, mobile banking, and microloans—further enables women to start businesses and achieve financial independence. Expanding financial services targeted at women is crucial for accelerating economic transitions in the region.

The Global Gender Gap Report highlights African countries making strides in women’s economic participation. Liberia leads the way with an economic participation and opportunity index score of 0.874, ranking first globally. Botswana follows closely with a score of 0.854, ranking second. Other African nations in the top rankings include Eswatini (fourth globally), Togo (11th), Kenya (13th), Zimbabwe (14th), Burundi (15th), Namibia (17th), Madagascar (25th), and Ghana (30th). These countries demonstrate progress in promoting women’s economic empowerment and providing opportunities for women to participate in the workforce.

The advancements showcased by these nations reflect a growing recognition that empowering women is integral to economic development. However, much work remains to be done. Structural and societal barriers must be dismantled to ensure that women can participate fully in all sectors of the economy.

Achieving economic growth and sustainable development in Africa hinges on the active engagement of women. By fostering an environment where women can thrive economically, the continent will not only improve the lives of millions but also propel its economies to new heights. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us commit to championing gender equality and ensuring that women can unlock their full potential in every sphere of life.

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According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global debt reached an all-time high of $303 trillion in 2021, a significant rise from the previous record of $226 trillion in 2020, marking the largest annual increase since the Second World War. Most of this surge was concentrated in developed nations such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France. Emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil also saw considerable debt growth.

Maintaining low levels of government debt is crucial for countries seeking to strengthen their economies, improve living standards, and attract foreign investment. Nations with lower debt burdens often enjoy stronger currencies, greater investor confidence, and other financial advantages.

The World Bank’s Africa Pulse report, published in October 2024, emphasised the importance of prudent debt management. Since 2006, public debt levels in sub-Saharan Africa have risen dramatically, raising concerns. However, some African countries have managed to avoid unsustainable debt levels by keeping their debt in check relative to their economic output.

A lower debt-to-GDP ratio indicates a country’s ability to manage its debt while continuing to grow its economy. Several African nations have successfully achieved this balance, attracting more foreign investment, increasing financial stability, and improving public services.

Here are the African countries with the lowest levels of government debt as of mid-2024:

1. Democratic Republic of Congo

General government debt (% of GDP): 21.7%

Rank: 1

2. Botswana

General government debt (% of GDP): 24.5%

Rank: 2

3. Equatorial Guinea

General government debt (% of GDP): 35.3%

Rank: 3

4. Ethiopia

General government debt (% of GDP): 36.3%

Rank: 4

5. Comoros

General government debt (% of GDP): 39.1%

Rank: 5

6. Eswatini

General government debt (% of GDP): 39.7%

Rank: 6

7. Chad

General government debt (% of GDP): 41.4%

Rank: 7

8. Guinea

General government debt (% of GDP): 42.1%

Rank: 8

9. Sierra Leone

General government debt (% of GDP): 43.1%

Rank: 9

10. South Sudan

General government debt (% of GDP): 43.3%

Rank: 10

African leaders must remain vigilant in managing public debt as their economies grow. By avoiding excessive debt levels, African nations can create a more stable and sustainable economic environment, benefiting their citizens and fostering long-term development.

The post Is Africa a Debt-Defying Continent? appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

From the more prominent economic countries in Africa like Nigeria or South Africa, known for their large economies, to the smallest African countries, one way or the other, a closer look would have you see so many opportunities that one could explore and thrive in business or careers.

This article is not to talk about the already-made African economies but to take a closer look into a smaller African country that is full of opportunities and has the potential to grow its economy.

Eswatini, formally known as Switzerland, is founded upon an export-orientated economy, and its solid and stable financial sector is increasingly becoming highly attractive to new investors in the country.

Eswatini is an African nation rising from its solid foundation of tradition. As a small nation with huge potential, Eswatini is empowering itself by reclaiming its name, rooting itself in its rich heritage and ensuring its ambitions catapult it towards a first-rate future.

The country is envied for its strategic location in Southern Africa. As a result, Eswatini can reach regional markets hassle-free. On top of that boasts one of the best infrastructures in Africa and has been characterized by enormous progress from foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mining, Agribusiness, Tourism, Manufacturing Industries, etc.

Let’s look at some sectors that are growing the country’s economy and why Eswatini is referred to as a land of opportunities.

Agriculture Opportunities

Agriculture has always been the traditional backbone of Eswatini’s economy and a great contributor to the country’s GDP.

The sector is a major source of employment for over 70% of the rural population. In addition, the diverse agricultural activities that take place in the country include sugar cane production, citrus fruit, cotton, forestry, livestock, maize, other cereal crops and other undertakings which generate foreign exchange earnings.

Manufacturing

The country offers immense opportunities for manufacturing.

The strategic location further enhances its export potential, anchored by the Government’s focus on value addition to a wide range of natural resources, which is vital to attracting investments into value-added industries.

Manufacturing operations in the country range from small factories to large ones employing thousands of people and utilizing the latest technology. This sector accounts for around 65% of total FDI and, as an employer, is second only to agriculture, providing jobs for about 26% of the workforce.

Textile and garment production plays a significant role in the country’s manufacturing sector. In the last several years, the textile and garment industry has grown to offer a wide range of services, including spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, and finishing.

Introducing such labour-intensive processes locally has increased employment opportunities. Currently, the industry provides jobs for over 15,000 citizens.

Eswatini’s textile and garment manufacturers are primarily located in the Matsapha Industrial Estate, and offering comprehensive product lines in one location is attractive to buyers, as it allows them to meet their broad purchasing needs in one place.

As a result, Eswatini provides textiles and garments to some of the largest retailers in the United States, Europe, and South Africa.

Energy

In Eswatini, more than 95% of the total power production is hydro-powered.
Two hydro stations supply the electricity needs of the country and these stations are owned and operated by the Country’s Electricity Company.

The country’s smallness makes it possible for the electricity company to adequately provide isolated transformers to individual large companies in some cases. This helps these companies avoid power cuts and, consequently, stay clear of unnecessary foregone revenues due to power interruptions.

With this, the energy sector can thrive and there is indeed opportunity in this sector.

Mining

Over the years, Eswatini has had rich deposits of several precious stones and gems. Though these minerals are in small volumes, they have not been exhaustively extracted from the ground.

The country’s minerals include asbestos, coal, quarried stone, soapstone, kaolin, talc, silica, green chert and others.

Such wealth goes on to prove the potential of mining in Eswatini. It is hoped that mining sector development will trickle-down effects on the whole economy.

What about its opportunities in Tourism?

Eswatini’s tourism industry remains one of the fastest-growing industries and a large income generator.

The peace, stability and low crime rate compare well when put side by side with neighbouring countries like South Africa and Mozambique. In addition, unique attractions and proximity to the world-famous Kruger National Park make Eswatini the right place to visit.

The country offers many diverse and unique attractions that appeal to a broad cross-section of tourists.

Despite the advent of modernization, traditional ceremonies remain an integral part of life in Eswatini.

Its Tourism Authority is a parastatal formed under the Tourism Authority Act to stimulate and expand the industry through various programs.

This has made significant contributions to the development of tourism in the country.

Some investment opportunities among the country’s tourism line include; the development of a state-of-the-art government-owned ICC, the development of a Golf Estate, Casino and supporting Facilities, and a holiday housing estate to cater for holidaymakers that are mostly foreigners.

The post Why Eswatini is the Land of Opportunities appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Over the years, as a result of these similarities, the country was being overlooked and has often been confused with Switzerland.

However, to put this confusion to rest and put the country in its rightful place, the name was changed to Eswatini in 2018 by King Mswati III during the nation’s 50th independence anniversary.

The name change showed the people’s need to fully break from the country’s colonial past and nail the confusion between Swaziland and Switzerland whereby people confuse one for the other as a result of their names.

Eswatini which is officially recognised as the Kingdom of Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.

The country which is one of the smallest in Africa is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, south, and southeast with Mbabane as the administrative capital and Lobamba as the royal and legislative capital.

Eswatini practices an absolute monarchy system of government with constitutional provisions and Swazi law and Custom. The current ruler, King Mswati III, ascended to the throne in 1986 after the death of his father King Sobhuza II in 1982 and a period of regency.

Under Swazi law and custom, the monarch has the supreme executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The King is a hereditary leader and he rules the country, with the assistance of a council of ministers and a national legislature.

Eswatini operates a bicameral Parliament which consists of a lower chamber (the House of Assembly) and an upper one (the Senate). Some of the members of both chambers are elected, while the rest are appointed by the King of Eswatini. Members of both chambers serve for five-year terms and all candidates run on a non-partisan basis, as political parties are banned in the country.

Swazi and English are the country’s two official languages, and proceedings of the Parliament take place in both languages.

The King referred to as Lion is considered the father of the nation and child of the people while the mother of the King, (the Queen mother ) is considered the Mother of the country and referred to as ” She Elephant”.

Eswatini became famous in 1986 when18-year-old Makhosetive now referred to as King Mswati was crowned king to become the world’s youngest crowned monarch at the time of his coronation.

Eswatini is the Swazi language name for the country meaning ” place of the Swazi”.

It has a population of about 1.3 million people with around eighty per cent of the people practising Christianity, fifteen per cent doing traditional religions, and the remaining following Islam, Bahá’í, Hinduism and Judaism.

About seventy-five per cent of the country’s population engages in subsistence agriculture with major agricultural products being sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus fruits, pineapples, corn, sorghum, and peanuts while its manufacturing sector mainly thrives on agro-processing.

Eswatini has a fairly diversified economy with Agriculture, forestry and mining accounting for about 13 per cent of its GDP while manufacturing (textiles and sugar-related processing) represent 37 per cent of GDP and Services constitute the remaining 50 per cent of GDP.

The lower-middle-income country has some key international relationships and its largest trading partners are South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and in particular the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Others are the US, alongside key donors the European Union and Taiwan.

Eswatini exudes warmth and is known for its game reserves, the Mlawula Nature Reserve and the Hlane Royal National Park with diverse wildlife including lions, hippos, elephants, buffalos and rhinos.

For such a small country, it boosts a variety of flora and fauna. For instance, there are about 507 known bird species, 107 endemic mammal species, and over 3,500 indigenous plant species identified in the country.

The Kingdom of Eswatini has a very rich culture and traditional customs with various cultural activities that take place throughout the year such as the famously known Umhlanga Reed dance and the Incwala ceremony.

The country has a very low crime rate compared to others in the southern region of Africa and is identified as one of the friendliest in the region with a highly rich culture.

However, it has a national poverty rate of about 63 per cent and an unemployment rate of 25.76 per cent as of 2021.

It is also tagged as the nation with the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the world, with over 28 per cent of the population being positive for the disease.

The post Eswatini: The African Country with a Touch of Difference appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

The Department of International Relations and Security Cooperation announced the summit on Thursday. It did not say what was on the agenda, but sources told Daily Maverick the main item would be the proposed national political dialogue in Eswatini. They said it had been unclear for some time if Mswati and his government would attend, but that this had now been confirmed.

The summit will be chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa currently chairs SADC’s security organ. The other two current members of the organ troika are Namibia and Botswana and so their presidents are also scheduled to attend.

SADC intervened in the crisis in the country last year after unprecedented violent protests in June which left scores of protesters dead and much infrastructure destroyed or damaged. After another flare-up of violence in October, Ramaphosa visited Eswatini in November to meet Mswati and announced afterwards that the king had agreed to launch a national political dialogue.

But then a long delay ensued and in the meanwhile, the political and security climate has deteriorated, with violent crackdowns by security forces on protesters and more recently, violent retaliation against police officers, including the burning of their homes — apparently by some pro-democracy forces.

There are deep differences in Eswatini about the structure of a national dialogue. Mswati and his government appear to be envisaging it as taking place in the “Sibaya” format, in other words as a traditional gathering where the monarch addresses his people. But the democratic opposition says this would be a monologue rather than a dialogue. They point to the Sibaya which Mswati called after the violence last June where he delivered a speech and then departed without taking questions from the Swazi people.

(Daily Maverick )

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