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Top 5 Fastest-growing Sectors In Africa

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Africa is a large and vibrant continent with many cultures, natural resources, and a big potential for growth. Many African countries are making changes to improve their economies and investing in important industries. This effort is helping jobs grow fast, raising productivity, and boosting local economies.

Africa’s economy is growing quickly, with more people and expanding cities adding to the momentum. Key countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya are attracting investments from around the world. Here are some of the top sectors driving Africa’s economic growth.

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1. Fintech

Fintech is one of Africa’s fastest-growing sectors. Fintech startups are making banking and payments more accessible for millions of people across the continent. Africa is now home to several “unicorn” fintech startups, including Flutterwave, ChipperCash, and Fawry. Many other startups, such as TeamApt and Kuda Bank, are close to achieving unicorn status. Fintech has strong growth potential and attracts substantial investment.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Countries In Africa Where Workers Earn Highest Salaries

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2. Transport and Logistics

Africa’s transport and logistics sector is expanding due to urban growth and increased trade. More goods and people are moving across the continent, raising the need for efficient logistics. Investments in infrastructure are also increasing, which is strengthening the logistics sector in Africa.

3. Telecommunications

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Telecommunications is one of Africa’s most promising sectors, with a large gap in internet access and mobile connectivity. More people are gaining access to affordable data and mobile services. Companies like MTN Group, Orange Africa, and Vodafone are expanding quickly. In 2021, MTN Group made $5.6 billion, with 277 million users, while Orange Africa and Vodafone had revenues of $6.8 billion each. This sector is expected to keep growing as demand rises.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Richest Black People In The World

4. Real Estate

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As Africa’s population grows, so does the demand for housing and commercial spaces. Many new projects, like residential developments and co-working spaces, are appearing across the continent. Both residential and commercial real estate are expected to keep expanding to meet the needs of Africa’s cities.

5. AgriTech

Agriculture is a large part of Africa’s economy, and technology is transforming the sector. AgriTech startups use digital solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and solve supply chain issues. For example, Nigerian startup ThriveAgric raised $58 million in 2023 to help small farmers, and Ghana’s Farmerline secured $12.9 million to provide farmers with quality supplies and financial resources. AgriTech is making agriculture more efficient and attractive to investors.

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Teenager Angry, Poisons Uncle’s Soup Because He Snores Too Much

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A high school student in Japan has been arrested for allegedly poisoning his uncle’s soup in an attempt to kill him because he couldn’t stand his snoring, the country’s media reported.

The 18-year-old teenager from Ichibara, Japan’s Chiba prefecture, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly mincing leaves from a toxic oleander plant and pouring them into his uncle’s soup, because he had become exasperated by his loud snoring.

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According to the police report, on August 17, during lunch, the teen’s uncle sensed an unusual taste in the soup he was served and spat it out, but soon started exhibiting symptoms like mouth numbness and stomach pain, which required medical attention.

READ ALSO:‘My Husband Lied To Our Children That I Poisoned His Food, Cut Part Of His Singlet For Ritual’

Samples from his bowl of soup were found to contain a lethal amount of the toxic substance known as oleandrin.

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“I couldn’t stand my uncle’s loud snoring and decided to kill him,” the 18-year-old teenager allegedly told police during questioning.

Oleander is an evergreen tree that blooms with red or white flowers and is commonly planted as a street or park tree. Its branches and leaves are toxic.

Luckily, the teen’s uncle, a 53-year-old self-employed man who lived with the boy and his mother, made a full recovery.

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Six Dead, Others Trapped As Gold Collapse

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Six people have been killed and up to 20 others are feared trapped after a gold mine collapsed in northern Sudan, authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred on Friday in the Um Aud area, west of the city of Berber in River Nile state, said Hassan Ibrahim Karar, executive director of the Berber locality.

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“Efforts are ongoing to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble,” Karar said, without specifying the cause of the collapse of the artisanal mine.

Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both sides have largely financed their war efforts through the country’s gold industry.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal Stumble As Brentford Snatch Late Draw At The Emirates

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Official and NGO sources say nearly all of Sudan’s gold trade is funnelled through the United Arab Emirates, which has been widely accused of supplying arms to the RSF — a charge it denies.

Despite the conflict, the army-backed government announced record gold production of 64 tonnes for 2024.

Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country by area, remains one of the continent’s top gold producers.

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However, most gold is extracted through artisanal and small-scale mining operations, which lack proper safety measures and often use hazardous chemicals, resulting in severe health risks for miners and nearby communities. Buy vitamins and supplements.

READ ALSO:Senegal’s New President Orders Economic Recovery Plan

Before the war pushed 25 million Sudanese into acute food insecurity, artisanal mining employed more than two million people, according to industry figures.

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Today, mining experts say much of the gold produced by both warring factions is smuggled through Chad, South Sudan and Egypt before reaching the UAE — currently the world’s second-largest gold exporter.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced roughly 10 million people, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. An additional four million Sudanese have fled across borders.

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Popular Nail Polish Ingredient Banned Over Fertility Fears

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The European Union has outlawed the use of TPO in all cosmetic products as of September 1, citing evidence that it may cause long-term fertility problems. The move forces nail salons in all 27 EU countries, as well as Norway and others that follow EU rules, to stop offering TPO-based gels and safely dispose of their stock. Manufacturers will now be required to reformulate their products without the chemical.

TPO has been a staple in the beauty industry, used as a photoinitiator to harden polish quickly under ultraviolet light and give manicures a glossy, long-lasting finish. But while gel polish has been praised for staying chip-free for weeks, experts say the ingredient behind its durability may carry hidden dangers.

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READ ALSO:Lagos Enforces Ban, Seizes Single-use Plastics From Supermarkets

Industry insiders expect the UK and other countries to follow suit with a similar ban by late 2026. The US, however, has yet to propose any such restrictions, though American salons that import products from Europe could be affected.

This ingredient could not be defended. The industry was unable to prove there were no safer alternatives,” said Francesca Rapolla of the UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association.

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Still, not everyone agrees with the ban. Belgian retailer ASAP Nails and Beauty Supply warned of “major economic damage” to small businesses and argued there is “no human evidence of danger”. Meanwhile, US-based consultant Doug Schoon criticised the EU’s decision as “disproportionate”, saying it would waste safe products and undermine confidence in regulators.

READ ALSO:Firm Wants Attorney-General Investigate Court Ruling On Breach Of Contract

The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of chemicals in everyday cosmetics. Experts warn that toxic compounds, including endocrine disruptors, may contribute to rising cases of infertility, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. One striking trend is the surge in endometriosis cases — a painful condition linked to infertility — as global cases have risen to nearly 190 million. Scientists believe endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and now TPO could be a driving force.

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“These chemicals can linger in the body for years, stored in fatty tissue. They affect the immune system, disrupt hormones, and in some women, may trigger reproductive problems and endometriosis,” said Professor Katie Burns of the University of Cincinnati.

For now, Europe has chosen precaution over profit. The debate over TPO could prove a turning point in the battle over hidden toxins in beauty products — and their long-term toll on women’s health.

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