E-Business
The Hanke’s Misery Index: How Africa’s Economic Challenges Are Holding Back the Continent Part 2

By Evans Woherem, Ph.D
- Economic Challenges in Angola, Ghana, and Other African Nations
The 2022 HAMI rankings provide insights into the economic challenges faced by Angola, Ghana, and several other African countries. Angola is ranked 13th with a HAMI score of 93.518, struggling with a high unemployment rate of 29.6%, an inflation rate of 13.9%, and a bank lending rate of 20.118%. Similarly, Ghana holds the 15th position on the Misery Index, burdened by an alarming inflation rate of 54.1% and achieving an index score of 86.8.
These challenges are not unique to Angola and Ghana. Many other African nations also grapple with significant economic hurdles. South Africa, positioned 16th on the Misery Index, records an index score of 83.492 primarily due to high unemployment rates. Rwanda, ranked 20th, achieves a score of 69.192 with inflation being a major contributing factor. Botswana, at the 21st spot, has an index score of 64.023 mainly influenced by elevated unemployment rates.
Moreover, countries such as Madagascar, Malawi, Eswatini, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, Congo (Brazzaville), Ethiopia, Libya, Namibia, Lesotho, Algeria, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania also face economic difficulties characterized by high unemployment rates, inflation, or lending rates.
The HAMI rankings shed light on the economic challenges experienced by various African countries, highlighting the need for targeted measures to address unemployment, inflation, and lending rates. It is crucial to alleviate the hardships endured by their populations.
The situations in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Niger, Togo, and other African nations serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need to tackle economic instability and implement effective policies across the continent.
Recognizing the profound impact of high inflation rates, unemployment, and other economic challenges on individuals’ well-being, it becomes imperative to prioritize sustainable development, job creation, and economic reforms. These steps are crucial for uplifting the lives of African citizens and ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
- Contrasting Happiness and Economic Struggles in Africa
It is indeed disconcerting to observe that four African countries—Zimbabwe, Sudan, Angola, and Ghana—are ranked among the top fifteen “most miserable” countries. However, it is worth noting the significant contrast that exists within the African continent. As evidenced by the 2022 HAMI, Niger and Togo were among the top ten “happiest” countries.
This striking disparity highlights the uneven progress made by different African nations in their pursuit of greater happiness and well-being. While some countries have made strides towards improving their conditions, many others continue to face substantial economic challenges, leading to a state of ongoing misery.
The varying experiences of African countries in terms of happiness and well-being underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the underlying economic factors that contribute to misery. By identifying and tackling these challenges head-on, African nations can work towards creating more equitable and prosperous societies for their citizens.
Root Causes of Economic Challenges in African Countries
The economic challenges faced by several African countries, as highlighted by the 2022 Hanke’s Annual Misery Index, are multifaceted and have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of their populations.
In this section, we will explore the root causes of these challenges and their impact on inflation, unemployment, and overall economic stability. By delving into distinct factors such as inflation rates and external factors, high unemployment rates and youth employment, and the influence of political instability, poor governance, and excessive lending rates, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex economic landscape in African countries.
- Inflation and External Factors
Inflation rates have had a detrimental impact on several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Sudan, Angola, Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. These nations have witnessed significant inflation rates. For instance, Zimbabwe reached an alarming rate of 243.8% in 2022, while Sudan and Ghana faced rates of 176.1% and 54.1%, respectively. This high inflation has resulted in a decline in purchasing power, making it increasingly difficult for individuals and families to afford basic necessities.
A study conducted by the International Monetary Fund in 2022 highlights a significant increase in inflation across sub-Saharan Africa in recent years. This rise in inflation can primarily be attributed to external factors such as global food prices, oil prices, and disruptions in the supply chain. Despite the gradual recovery of domestic demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, its contribution has been insufficient to offset the effects of these escalating external factors.
- Unemployment and the Plight of African Youth
High unemployment rates pose a significant economic challenge in many African countries. For instance, Angola, with a misery index score of 93.518, and South Africa, scoring 83.492 on the index, have been grappling with substantial unemployment issues. In Botswana, Eswatini, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, Congo (Brazzaville), Libya, Nambia, Lesotho, Tunisia, and Mauritania, the index scores range from 45.4 to 64.023, indicating the prevalence of unemployment and its impact on their respective economies.
The situation becomes particularly alarming when considering the plight of young people in Africa. The African Development Bank highlights that youth unemployment in many African nations exceeds twice the rate of adults. This means that millions of young individuals struggle to secure employment, severely impacting their future prospects.
Former Zambian finance minister, Alexander Chikwanda, vividly described youth unemployment as a “ticking time bomb.” This analogy powerfully emphasizes the potential consequences of this issue. With an estimated 10-12 million young people entering Africa’s labor market each year, it is evident that youth unemployment demands urgent attention.
Beyond its economic implications, youth unemployment also carries serious security concerns. Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida highlights how militant groups like Boko Haram find it easy to recruit frustrated and unemployed young individuals. This underscores the imperative to address youth unemployment not only as an economic challenge but also as a preventive measure against security threats in the region.
- Political Instability, Poor Governance, and Excessive Lending Rates
Political instability, as witnessed in Sudan, exacerbates economic challenges. The recent war in Sudan resulted in loss of life and forced displacement of a significant portion of the population. Political conflicts disrupt economic activities, deter investment, and hamper the implementation of effective economic policies, further deepening the misery experienced by citizens. In 2023, West Africa faces heightened instability with recent coups in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, coinciding with ongoing conflicts in the Sahel and extending violence to previously peaceful areas like Benin and Togo.
Poor governance, as evidenced by low scores on governance indicators measured by the World Bank, exacerbates the situation, with political instability and violence, including terrorism, experiencing the most significant decline over the past two decades. These governance indicators, particularly instability, not only undermine peace and security but also have adverse effects on the region’s economic growth and development.
Instability brings political risk, which deters investors from the region, leading to minimal foreign direct investment and limited trade. Moreover, our analysis of World Bank data reveals that while West Africa’s GDP has grown at a compound annual rate of 4 % between 1990 and 2021, per-capita growth has been sluggish at just 1.3 % due to rapid population growth. These factors highlight the urgent need for stability, good governance, and effective measures to attract investment and foster sustainable economic growth in the region.
Excessive lending rates, such as those observed in Zimbabwe (131.8%) and Angola (20.118%), pose significant barriers to economic growth and development. These high rates make it difficult for individuals and businesses to access credit, hindering investment, entrepreneurship, and overall economic expansion. In Africa, interest rates play a crucial role in shaping economic growth and affecting access to basic needs.
While higher interest rates can indicate economic potential and stimulate investment, this is not always the case. Zimbabwe stands out with the world’s highest interest rate of 150%, making it the most expensive country to borrow money in. Ghana also faces challenges with high interest rates of 29.5%, reflecting efforts to curb inflation. Sudan, on the other hand, records a benchmark interest rate of 27.30%, attributed to various factors such as macroeconomic imbalances, structural deficiencies, political instability, and the impact of COVID-19. To ensure economic stability and growth, it is crucial to address lending rates and create an environment that fosters economic development.
Watch out for the concluding part
E-Business
Galaxy Backbone, Rural Electrification Agency Commit to Deepening Digital and Energy Access Across Nigeria

In a major step towards deepening Nigeria’s digital and energy infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a brief but impactful ceremony held in Abuja.
The MoU signals a collaborative effort between both agencies to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda by integrating reliable energy solutions with cutting-edge ICT infrastructure, especially in higher institutions, Government institutions, underserved and rural communities across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, described the partnership as “a landmark moment in Nigeria’s journey towards a digitally empowered, sustainably powered, and inclusively connected nation.”
“This partnership exemplifies what is possible when two visionary government institutions come together, united by shared goals and driven by the desire to improve the lives of Nigerians everywhere,” he said.
Professor Adeyanju emphasized that while Galaxy Backbone’s core mandate is to provide secure digital infrastructure that powers government operations, reliable and sustainable energy particularly in rural areas is essential to fully actualize digital transformation.
Major highlights of the MoU include:
- Solar electrification of some of GBB’s Metro Fibre sites in Abuja by the REA.
- Powering Hostels of Higher Institutions across the country through the Fibre to Hostel Project being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE).
- Support for the rollout of the 774 Local Government Digitization Initiative, beginning with six pilot Local Government Areas.
- Provision of LANs, access points, cloud services, colocation infrastructure, and temporary connectivity to enhance REA’s operational facilities nationwide.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency Mr Abba Aliyu, in his remarks, expressed optimism that this collaboration will further bridge the digital and energy divide across Nigeria. He noted that by combining REA’s achievements in expanding energy access with GBB’s robust ICT backbone, both agencies are poised to create lasting impact across governance, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
This partnership is also in direct alignment with the Renewed Hope Digital Transformation Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which envisions an inclusive digital economy powered by innovation and sustainable energy.
The ceremony was attended by top management from both organizations as well as members of the media.
With today’s signing, Galaxy Backbone and the Rural Electrification Agency have set the tone for stronger, smarter, and more inclusive public service delivery powered by strategic inter-agency collaboration.
E-Business
NIMC Says NIN Services Back Online

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the restoration of its National Identification Number (NIN) verification services nationwide.
This, according to the commission, follows the completion of a system maintenance exercise.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NIMC confirmed that all previously disrupted services have resumed.
“NIMC wishes to inform the general public that the recent technical maintenance has been completed and all services have been restored,” the statement read.
The NIMC urged Nigerians seeking to enroll for NIN to visit the its official website to locate the nearest enrollment centers.
The agency also encouraged individuals to make use of its self-service portal for tasks such as data modification, including name changes.
To further ease the verification process, the Commission recommended downloading the NIMC NameAuth app (oath.app) from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for quick and secure NIN authentication.
NIMC expressed appreciation for the public’s patience during the service disruption, which had impacted banks, telecom providers, and government agencies that rely on NIN verification for their operations.
E-Business
Report Reveals African Organizations Dangerously Overestimating Cyber defences

Many businesses are overestimating their defence against cyber attacks, which creates a significant human risk blind spot. A new KnowBe4 report exposes a worrying disconnect between what leaders think about their cyber security readiness and what employees experience.
According to the KnowBe4 Africa Human Risk Management Report 2025, based on insights from cyber security decision-makers across 30 African countries, despite high awareness, a critical gap exists in turning that awareness into actual readiness and resilient behaviour.
Key findings from the KnowBe4 Africa Human Risk Management Report 2025:
Confidence vs awareness: While cyber security awareness is high, leaders express uncertainty about their workforce’s ability to act on that awareness. Many feel employees may overestimate their capabilities in recognising, reporting and mitigating threats.
The need for adaptive and personalised security awareness training: Many companies fail to personalise security awareness training to specific roles or risk exposures.
Widespread BYOD usage: A large percentage of employees (between 41% and 80%) use their personal devices for work.
AI policy development is lagging: Many companies (46%) are still in the process of developing policies for using AI tools in the workplace.
Regional variation: Southern Africa trains more, East Africa governs AI better and West/Central Africa sees the most human-related security incidents.
This gap is significant because Africa has become an attractive target to cyber criminals, especially those that launch AI-powered attacks. A LexisNexis Risk Solutions study found 60% of South African organisations have seen an increase in AI-facilitated financial crime – above the 56% global average.
Kehinde Popoola, regional manager and key representative for West and East Africa at Rubrik, said digital transformation is gaining momentum in Africa and companies are more exposed to cyber risk. The Rubrik executive adds that amid an increase in threats, it is crucial that organisations adopt an assumed breach mindset.
The KnowBe4 research shows that cyber security preparedness and the actual structures required to support secure behaviour seem misaligned.
The report highlights that just 10% of cyber security leaders are fully confident that staff would report a phishing attack or other cyber threat, despite rating employee security awareness of cyber threats at four out of five or higher.
There is also a significant perception gap between decision-makers and general employees in Africa regarding security awareness training, with 68% of leaders believing that training is tailored to roles, compared to only a third of employees feeling adequately trained.
KnowBe4 asserts that many organisations only conduct annual or biannual training that is too generic to effectively change behaviour, contributing to uncertainty about its effectiveness.
According to another report, the KnowBe4 African Cybersecurity and Awareness Report 2025, which focuses on end-user based responses, only 43% of African respondents felt confident in their ability to recognise a cyber threat, and just one in three believed their security awareness training was adequately tailored to their role. This comparison suggests the development of a dangerous perception gap in many organisations.
“There’s a disconnect here – between what leaders think is happening and what employees are actually experiencing,” says Anna Collard, SVP content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. “The data shows that without procedural and cultural follow-through, awareness simply doesn’t translate into readiness.”
“The continent’s cyber security posture may be more confident than it is truly resilient,” Collard adds.
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