Air pollution is one of Africa’s deadliest and most under-recognized crises—costing countries like Ghana $1.6 billion annually, nearly 1% of GDP, in lost productivity and pollution-related illness. Yet without robust monitoring, the scale of this emergency remains dangerously invisible. This piece argues that tackling the crisis requires more than cleaner fuels—it demands data-driven systems that can track pollution, guide interventions, and unlock financing. Drawing on lessons from Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritius, it shows how countries investing in real-time monitoring and transparent reporting are not only improving air quality—but reshaping their development trajectories. Read more here.

African ports are critical to the continent’s economy, handling diverse cargo under different management systems. However, this diversity makes it hard to digitize port operations. While ports like Berbera show the potential for targeted digital upgrades, Africa still lacks a fully integrated port model. In contrast, Japan’s Yokohama port shows how specialization and unified governance simplify digitalization. African ports must invest in shared digital platforms and government-backed policies to compete globally.

As the call for localized solutions grows louder, it is critical for Africa to fully leverage its resources. Despite being a major crude oil producer, Africa’s oil imports remain high. This external reliance drains foreign reserves and intensifies carbon emissions with the long winded logistics. As the global push for decarbonization accelerates, Botho’s Analyst, Gerald Kilimo, sheds light on how Africa can reshape its energy landscape and capture the full value of its resources. Read more here.

Even as AfCFTA becomes more critical for building economic resilience amid rising trade wars and geopolitical uncertainty, Africa’s regional integration remains tangled in a "spaghetti bowl" of overlapping trade agreements. With countries juggling conflicting commitments across an average of eight trade blocs, the continent’s trade potential is stifled by fractured enforcement, selective compliance, and regulatory fragmentation. Can the AfCFTA overcome these structural challenges and deliver on its ambitious vision for unified continental trade?

Ethiopia relies on the Port of Djibouti for over 95% of its imports and exports, generating more than $1 billion annually in port fees for Djibouti. This dependency supports roughly a quarter of Djibouti’s formal workforce and underpins its service-driven economy. As Djibouti cements its role as a key logistics hub in the region, its logistics infrastructure has become a cornerstone of its sovereign strength.

Explore how Djibouti’s geopolitical resilience is deeply tied to its position as a global logistics stronghold in Martin Nkonge’s analysis here.