There are so many interesting facts about Africa. From it being home to over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups with a sh*t load of natural resources, to being the home of possibly the richest man in the entire history of man, Mansa Musa Keita and one of the world’s most beautiful women, Agbani Darego. But today, we’re only going to discuss 10.
If I were you, this would be the perfect time to grab a snack, sit back, relax and let’s unravel Africa together.
So, did you know that…
1. Africa has around 30% of the earth’s remaining mineral resources
This includes over 40% of gold reserves and 90% of platinum reserves. Nigeria is the world’s fifth largest exporter of oil, ahead of Iraq and Kuwait, according to the CIA World Factbook.
2. Nollywood is Nigeria’s second biggest employer after agriculture
The country’s film industry employs over one million people, and produces around 50 movies each week. Only Bollywood makes more. In 2014 the Nigerian government released data showing Nollywood was a $3.3 billion industry.
3. Ethiopia was the world’s fastest growing economy in 2015
The IMF says the country’s real GDP grew by 10.2%. But growth for the sub-Saharan region as a whole fell to 3.5%, the lowest level in 15 years, and is predicted to fall as low as 3% this year.
4. More than half of the world’s mobile money accounts are in Africa
12% of African adults have access to one, compared to just 2% worldwide. In Kenya the figure stands at 58%. Across the continent only a third of adults have access to a traditional bank account.
5. Africa’s population will more than double, that is 2.3 billion people by 2050
Nigeria’s population alone is expected to rise from 174 million to 440 million people. 40% of the global population will be African by the year 2100, up from 9% back in 1950.
6. Mozambique native, Graca Machel, is the only women to have ever been first lady of two different countries (Mozambique and South Africa).
This is definitely as Guinness Book of World Records item.
7. Over 25% of the world’s languages are spoken only in Africa.
There are thought to be around 2,000 languages in use on the continent. All are considered official languages of the African Union. Nigeria alone has over 500 living languages.
8. Timbuktu, Mali is home of one of the oldest universities in the world, established in 982 CE.
Here, This is what it looks like.
9. The official title of Idi Amin, the Ugandan dictator, was “His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular”.
10. Sudan has more than 200 pyramids, double the number found in Egypt.
Egypt: Think Pyramids. Think Egypt. We have it all.
Sudan:
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