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Top 5 African Countries With The Highest Alcohol Consumption

Published

11 months ago

December 28, 2024

Editor

Alcohol consumption varies across Africa due to differences in culture, social habits, and economic conditions. Some countries consume very little alcohol because of religious or cultural restrictions, while others have some of the highest consumption rates in the world.

In 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report on alcohol consumption worldwide. The report aimed to help countries reduce harmful drinking and its negative effects. It showed that the highest alcohol consumption is found in Central Europe, the South Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean. In Europe, beer and wine are the most popular drinks, with countries like France and Germany leading because of their long history of producing and drinking alcohol.

On the other hand, countries like Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have the lowest alcohol consumption rates. This is largely due to religious rules that forbid drinking alcohol.

Below are the top five African countries with the highest per capita alcohol consumption (in litres of pure alcohol per year):

5. South Africa – 7.21 Litres

South Africa, a country known for its rich beverage industry, takes the fifth position with 7.21 litres per capita consumption annually.

South Africa has a strong wine culture due to its world-class vineyards and a thriving beer industry. Alcohol is a common feature at parties, gatherings, and social events. Wine and beer are the top choices, followed by spirits like brandy and whisky.

4. Burkina Faso – 7.28 Litres

Burkina Faso ranks fourth, with the average person consuming 7.28 litres of alcohol per year.

The cultural significance of traditional brews like dolo (a beer made from millet) influences consumption. Alcohol is often a key part of community celebrations and special events. Traditional drinks like dolo dominate, but some people in urban areas also drink commercial beer and spirits.

3. Eswatini – 7.68 Litres

Eswatini, a small country in Southern Africa, comes in third, with an annual per capita alcohol consumption of 7.68 litres.

Alcohol plays an important role in Eswatini’s social and cultural traditions, especially during ceremonies and gatherings. Affordable homemade brews also contribute to high consumption rates. Umqombothi (traditional beer) is widely enjoyed, along with commercially produced beers and spirits.

2. Tanzania – 7.81 Litres

Tanzania takes the second spot, with an average consumption of 7.81 litres per person each year. Alcohol is a big part of life in many Tanzanian communities.

Traditional homemade brews, like pombe (fermented beer) and banana beer, are deeply tied to Tanzanian culture. Urban areas also see an increasing preference for commercial beers and imported spirits. Alongside traditional brews, Tanzanians enjoy Konyagi (a local spirit), beer, and other alcoholic beverages.

1. Seychelles – 9.48 Litres

Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, ranks as the highest alcohol consumer in Africa. Each person consumes an average of 9.48 liters of pure alcohol annually.

Seychelles’ strong tourism industry boosts alcohol consumption, with both locals and tourists enjoying a variety of beverages. Festive events and social gatherings also make alcohol a central part of the country’s culture. Beer and spirits are the most commonly consumed drinks, with wine gaining popularity among locals.
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Putin Says Russia Ready For War, Blames Europe For Sabotaging Peace

Published

12 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia was “ready” for war if Europe seeks one, accusing the continent’s leaders of trying to sabotage a deal on the Ukraine conflict before he met with US envoys.

The comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were in Moscow for high-stakes talks on ending the nearly four-year war, which were preceded by days of intense diplomacy.

“We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready right now,” Putin told reporters in Moscow.

“They have no peaceful agenda, they are on the side of war,” he added, repeating his claim that European leaders were hindering US attempts to broker peace in Ukraine.

He added that European changes to Trump’s latest plan to end the war “aimed solely at one thing — to completely block the entire peace process and put forward demands that are absolutely unacceptable for Russia”.

Washington has presented a 28-point draft to end the conflict, later amended after criticism from Kyiv and Europe, which viewed it as heeding to many of Russia’s maximalist demands.

The plan to end the war is championed by Trump, but European countries fear it risks forcing Kyiv to cave in to Russian demands, notably on territory.

Fearing further Russian aggression, Europe has repeatedly said an unfair peace should not be imposed on Ukraine.

The Trump envoys are now seeking to finalise the plan with the approval of Moscow and Kyiv.
AFP

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US Senator Proposes Bill To End Dual Citizenship

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12 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

A United States lawmaker has introduced a bill seeking to abolish dual citizenship for American nationals, a move that could affect thousands of Nigerians who hold both US and Nigerian passports.

Bernie Moreno, a Colombian-born US senator, announced the proposed legislation — titled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 — arguing that the current system, which allows Americans to hold multiple nationalities, creates “conflicts of interest and divided loyalties.”

“One of the greatest honours of my life was when I became an American citizen at 18, the first opportunity I could do so.

“It was an honour to pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and only to the United States of America! Being an American citizen is an honour and a privilege—and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing. It’s time to end dual citizenship for good,” Moreno said.

Moreno, who has since renounced his Colombian citizenship, maintains that exclusive allegiance is essential to national integrity.

If passed, the bill could have far-reaching implications for prominent figures such as US First Lady Melania Trump, who holds both US and Slovenian citizenship. It would also significantly impact Nigerians with dual citizenship.

According to a July naturalisation flow report by the US Department of Homeland Security, 38,890 Nigerians became naturalised American citizens between 2021 and 2023. Nigeria ranked 13th among countries with the highest number of new US citizens and was the only African nation in the top 20.

Nigerian law allows citizens by birth to hold dual nationality without relinquishing their Nigerian citizenship.

This development comes months after President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at denying automatic US citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants born in the country.

The order was immediately challenged by 18 states and multiple rights groups, who argued it violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship. Ongoing legal battles have prevented the order from taking effect.

Headline

12 Die, 30 Missing In Peru Landslide

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

At least 12 people, including three children, died in a landslide at a river port in central Peru on Monday, and 30 were reported missing, officials said.

The landslide submerged a boat with about 50 passengers on board, and another with none, as they were docked at the port of Iparia in the Amazon jungle region of Ucayali, according to a police report cited by the Andina news agency.

Six people were injured, it added, and a search and rescue operation was underway at the start of the Peruvian rainy season.

Without giving a toll, Peru’s COEN national emergency operations centre said on X that tragedy struck at dawn due to “erosion” of the bank of the Ucayali river.

It said the navy has been called in to help.

AFP