Economic progress has been made, but gains are being threatened by the Covid pandemic, which has squeezed economies, and the war in Ukraine, which has raised food prices

• Africa’s search for lasting route out of poverty proves elusive

  Explanations for continent’s struggle to develop are complex and disputed

  
• Africa’s smallholders need to go beyond subsistence

  Raising yields will not only improve lives but could also be an important factor driving national development

  
• Africa resists pressure to put emissions before growth

  Countries point to hypocrisy from the west and point out that hundreds of millions of Africans still lack access to basic electricity

  
• Dismal prospects shatter Tunisia’s democratic experiment

  ‘Democracy is only real if it extends to social and economic areas — it’s not just about having elections every five years’

  
• Abe’s legacy in Africa under scrutiny at development summit

  Whereas once it sought UN votes, Tokyo now has much more urgent needs given the hunt for rare metals and other commodities

  
• Global capital and young workers can power transition in Africa

  Continent needs businesses that can raise finance to invest and are competent enough to reap the gains from scale and specialisation

  

• East Africa’s manufacturers hit by costs and imports

  Companies face being overwhelmed by infrastructure problems, unreliable energy, tax and customs burdens, as well as cheap Chinese imports

  
• DR Congo seeks to ‘reclaim history’ with economic reforms

  Finance minister pushes for ‘big, ambitious agenda’ backed by international lenders

  
• Pandemic sets Africa’s sights on vaccine independence

  Covid exposed Africa’s dependence on overseas production but local initiatives show potential

  
• Nigeria and Ghana’s health systems stand in contrast

  Africa’s largest economy has some of the worst outcomes in the world