Despite its growing population, expanding middle class, and rising entrepreneurial spirit, Africa continues to face a major roadblock to investment and sustainable growth: the lack of reliable data.
Bernard Laurendeau, founder of Enkopa Lab, has raised concerns about how the absence of detailed and timely data is affecting sectors like banking, retail, and technology across the continent. “Macroeconomic data from the World Bank or IMF is helpful, but not nearly enough,” he said.
He believes that Africa is at a crucial stage, where real-time, in-depth data could unlock significant economic growth, especially as more consumers emerge across urban centres. “Africa is missing a big opportunity for growth, knowledge transfer, and technology because of this lack of detailed data,” Laurendeau warned.
With his team and their partner company, Cassie Inside, Enkopa Lab is developing data pipelines that offer real-time business insights. While artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role, Laurendeau insists it is only useful when powered by accurate and current data. “AI is not a silver bullet. You have to feed it with the right data to get the right results,” he added.
Investors, he notes, are no longer satisfied with surface-level statistics. “They want depth and action-ready information. You can’t ask them to wait anymore,” Laurendeau concluded.
Meanwhile, in Congo-Brazzaville, President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s administration is tackling agricultural dependency through a new initiative called Protected Agricultural Zones (ZAPs). These zones aim to boost food production, reduce a yearly food import bill of over $1.1 billion, and promote local farming.
In Mouindi, the ZAP covers 200 hectares and engages 500 local farmers. In Bouanza, 59 hectares of land have already produced over 200 tons of maize. Though the country has vast arable land, much of it remains unused. With proper execution, the ZAPs could help the country become more food-secure.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), however, economic activities in the east have taken a major hit due to rising insecurity. Armed conflicts, particularly in North and South Kivu, have been linked to the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda. These attacks have caused the closure of many businesses, including the prominent Bralima Brewery.
The closures are pushing thousands into joblessness, while prices of everyday items like rice, sugar, and cooking oil have doubled. Economists have called for urgent steps to stabilise the economy, including reopening banks and protecting businesses. However, as violence continues and peace talks stall, pressure mounts on authorities to find lasting solutions.
