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Arbitrary taxation in informal sector erodes citizens' trust
Among informal business owners in Ghana, there is a widespread sense that taxes are arbitrary and unfair. When tax systems are seemingly random people lose their trust in public institutions which may lead to tax evasion, according to NAI researcher Emmanuel Orkoh.
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“Big mining doesn’t benefit local communities”
A big lithium mine could be beneficial to surrounding communities. In the Zimbabwean district of Goromonzi, however, locals are not satisfied. The mine has not created many jobs, nor has it contributed to development of infrastructure or other services.
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Challenge: how to digitise smallholder farming
The agrarian sector in Africa is lagging far behind other economic sectors when it comes to adopting digital technology. Digital apps for supporting food production, combined with advanced tools such as robots and drones, could be instrumental for addressing Africa’s food security challenge, according to NAI’s researcher Emmanuel Orkoh.
Currently however, the digital economy is in effect pulling workers, particularly the young, away from farming towards the services and manufacturing sectors.“African governments need to invest in both education and infrastructure in order to turn this trend around. The adoption rate of digital apps among farmers is low due both to a lack of skills and high costs for data usage. In addition, states must support acquisitions of robots and drones to further increase production levels,” Orkoh says.
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The Nordic Africa strategies – distinct but not incompatible
Moving away from traditional aid-driven agendas, Finland, Norway and Denmark have launched Africa strategies that aim to foster equitable partnerships based on mutual interests in trade, security and climate adaptation. The respective strategies share common ground in terms of strengthening Nordic–African ties, supporting multilateralism and advancing Africa’s global influence. Given this common ground, the Nordic countries could reinforce their chances of shaping the global agenda by aligning their approaches.
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NAI experience made her work more policy-oriented
“One of the biggest things I learned was how to engage with policymakers,” says Zambian researcher Bridget Bwalya who came to NAI as African Scholar (now called Visiting Fellow) in 2020.These learnings have made her work more policy-oriented, Bwalya explains.Through contacts she made at NAI, Bwalya also started a new research project with funding from the Swedish Research Council.“So let me say that yes, it was really beneficial and the benefits are continuing,” Bwalya concludes.
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Visions of pan-Africanism overshadow repressive rule in Burkina Faso
Despite reports of crackdown on media and political opponents in Burkina Faso, junta leader Ibrahim Traoré is gaining popularity across the continent. According to NAI researcher Jesper Bjarnesen, Traoré´s pan-African rhetoric appeals to many who are increasingly frustrated by Africa’s dependency on the West.
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Zimbabwean battery minerals - critical for whom?
There is great global demand for lithium and other battery minerals to drive the shift to green energy. However, in Zimbabwe – where much of the world’s lithium is extracted – people are mainly relying on coal to meet their energy needs.
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Researcher on mining in Zimbabwe: “Currently, we see lithium mines just exporting to China”
Zimbabwe has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s largest producers of lithium – a mineral critical to the global green transition. But behind the statistics lies a more complex story of missed opportunities and unequal benefits.
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Researchers: Nordics could lead the way in strategic mining partnerships in Africa
There are a number of roles that Nordic countries could play as partners of mineral rich African nations, as the global race to secure battery minerals intensifies, say NAI researchers Patience Mususa and Grasian Mkodzongi. The Nordics could intensify the push for more global transparency around taxation to avoid tax loopholes that make it difficult for African states to finance development. Also, Finland and Sweden are among few EU countries which have a mining industry. There are opportunities for them to partner with state corporates in the mining sector in Southern Africa in new exploration and mining development, the researchers say.
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Researcher: Turkey promotes the idea that African states can follow their own path
Turkey wants to present itself as a provider of opportunities for African states, from an economic, humanitarian and political point of view. While European countries often are seen as difficult partners who set conditions for engagement, Turkey is consistent in that it never tries to impose ideas or persuade partners to do things in a certain way, according to Federico Donelli, Turkey expert and researcher at the University of Trieste.The Turkish approach is now paying back, according to Donelli.“Turkey promotes the idea that African states can follow their own path and not a path decided by someone else,” Donelli says.This is an important factor behind Turkey’s success in Africa, which has psychological rather than pragmatic reasons, he argues.
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Where US and Europe step out, Turkey is ready to step in
A changing geopolitical landscape, with decreasing US and European engagement in Africa, could favour Turkey and its ambition to gain influence on the continent, according to Federico Donelli, Turkey expert and researcher at the University of Trieste.The Trump government’s decision to cut funds to the US Agency for International Development, provides an opportunity for Turkey to exert soft power through humanitarian aid, Donelli says.Furthermore, in the Sahel region, where France has withdrawn troops which fought Islamist insurgencies, not only Russia but also Turkey is emerging as an increasingly important security actor, according to Donelli.
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“Artisanal mining should be recognised and formalised”
The government of Zimbabwe regards mining as a driver for economic development that will help the country become a middle-income economy. However, according to NAI researcher Grasian Mkodzongi, this will not happen as long as small-scale miners are criminalised and pushed out from mining areas.
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Quota system risks limiting women's political participation
An affirmative action initiative in Zimbabwe guarantees women a number of seats in parliament. It has increased gender equality in the country, according to NAI researcher Shingirai Mtero, but she argues it is not enough.One problem is that the political parties rarely put forward women outside the quota. And the women nominated to the quota owe their political position to the party and are therefore inclined to do what the party says.“Which sometimes doesn’t move forward women´s rights”, Mtero argues.
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“It signals that politics is a man’s world”
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused its presiding officer of sexual harassment. In Nigeria, only four percent of parliamentarians are women – the lowest number in Africa. According to NAI researcher Shingirai Mtero it is common in male dominated institutions that women who stand up for their rights are punished.
“It signals to other women that politics is a man’s world and perhaps they should put their aspirations elsewhere.” The hostile environment has also caused a problem with retaining women in parliament, as they often only serve one term.
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Local inclusion and regulatory control key to sustainable mining
Zimbabwe’s rich lithium reserves have sparked a foreign investment boom, particularly from China. While the government, eager to attract investments, helps foreign mining companies secure access to ‘the white gold’, artisanal miners are sidelined. A ban on unprocessed lithium exports, intended to boost domestic processing, has instead benefited political elites and marginalised local communities even further. To foster inclusive growth, the government should formalise artisanal mining and strengthen regional cooperation.
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Economic growth no silver bullet for poverty reduction
Poverty has decreased in many African countries. However, the reduction has been less significant than in other developing nations with similar economic growth. In countries with exceptionally high inequality, such as Mozambique and Zambia, growth has not substantially contributed to poverty reduction.
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How young people in Africa use TikTok for resistance – new research
In Kenya’s Gen Z protests in 2024, TikTok was a key element in mobilizing the youth. NAI researcher Martins Kwazema is working with a project that analyses how the mobile app increasingly has become a political tool for young political activists in Africa.
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“Promoting trade is not just about signing agreements”
Promoting trade is not just about signing agreements. It is mainly about addressing the underlying challenges, especially financing barriers and lack of skilled labour. This was one of the key messages that came out of a discussion held at the Swedish embassy in Cairo in December.
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Researchers: Rise of protectionism poses great risk to African economies
What will happen to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives sub-Saharan countries duty-free access to US markets? AGOA is about to expire in September, 2025. South Africa, which has a larger share of exports to the US than other African countries, would be affected the most if AGOA is not extended.The current rise of protectionism on world markets, promoted by US president Donald Trump, can act as an infectious disease. Once it emerges, it can spread widely.African countries should respond to the growing protectionism by unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area, according to NAI researchers. “The trade war sends a clear signal to Africa that it is time to go south,” they say.
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South Africa and the Global (Dis)order
It seems to be a watershed moment for African countries in 2025, not least South Africa. Confronted with a reconfiguration of global power relations, countries will face some tough decisions about how to position themselves in the emerging new constellation. The freezing of USAID programmes has had fatal consequences
External link, opens in new window. in the true sense of the word. US President Donald Trump’s obsession over tariffs and his transactional perspective threaten the African Growth and Opportunity Act External link, opens in new window.. It offers 32 African countries preferential access to the US market. If it is not extended in September, these countries will face serious economic disadvantages. How best to compensate for any such setbacks?
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