Atlas of Africa

Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a public financial institution, funds, supports and accelerates the transition towards a fairer and more sustainable world. Its teams, focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, carry out projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and in a further 115 countries.

• Preface6 ALL OF AFRICAFor a new vision of a continent on the move8 PREAMBLEAfrica takes on Covid-19TAKING FULL MEASURE OF AFRICA12 Africa upturning demographic equilibria around the world14 Longer life expectancy and a gradual reduction of fertility rates16 Africa home to the world’s youth: an opportunity to be seized18 Child and maternal health and under-nutrition: gaining the upper hand20 Contagious and tropical diseases: Africa exposed but headed in the right direction22 Africa’s efforts in schooling its children24 Water and sanitation: the keyto improving health and environmental conditions26 Africa on the path to electrical connection28 When the success of mobile telephones facilitates banking inclusion30 African economic growth despite instability32 Africa’s asset: the internal market34 A changing economy tracing its own development path36 Closer economic ties with all the world’s countries38 Africa, the new travel destination40 Africa being courted in diplomacy and culture42 Political liberalization in Africa44 Less lethal conflicts, more complex violence46 The gradual improvement in economic and public governanceA MULTIFACETED CONTINENT WITH SHARED CHALLENGES50 African giants and small economies: how to read the African economy52 The geography of wealth in Africa54 Considerable natural resources: who for? what for?56 Extreme poverty concentrated on the continent58 Fragility and development: twointerconnected challenges60 Inequalities: a situation of contrasts62 Urbanization, a strong trend in settlement in Africa64 Simultaneous densification of cities and countryside66 Rural and landlocked zones: the main factors in unequal access to basic services68 Economic integration progressing in Africa70 Growth in intra-African trade as a driver of diversification72 Emergence of a pan-African financial system74 Intra-continental migration: human ties between African spaces76 Human mobility taking shape on the continent78 Creative industries, the face of an emerging cultural industry80 Africa, a blue continent82 The Saharan-Sahelian space84 African forests under pressureAFRICA INVENTING ITSELF AND TAKING UP THE KEY CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW88 A continent more exposed to climate change90 The impacts of climate change92 African biodiversity under pressure94 Skills acquisition and enhancement: the education challenge in Africa96 Employment in all its forms, a key to the prosperity of the continent98 Issues of women’s status in Africa100 Obesity and chronic diseases: new health challenges102 High expectations for the rule of law and freedom of expression104 Inventive civil society in Africa106 Sport as a vector of economic and social development108 Solar energy in Africa: reconciling sustainability and economic opportunity110 Towards more inclusive African cities112 Extending access to internet to accelerate the digital revolution114 Building the capacity for action of the public sector116 The potential of the public development banks in Africa118 Towards more bank financing for the private sector120 Reinventing external financial support for Africa122 Agriculture the African way124 Industrialization: drawing benefit from value chains126 What role for digital innovation in Africa?