Economy

When we talk about the Economy, the system of how money, goods, and services move within a country or region. Also known as national economic activity, it's what decides if jobs are created, prices rise or fall, and whether businesses can grow. In Africa, the economy isn’t just about big banks or stock markets—it’s about everyday people trying to start a shop, pay for their kids’ school, or get a pension after decades of work.

Take the NSSF Kenya, Kenya’s National Social Security Fund that manages retirement savings for workers. In February 2025, they doubled the contribution rates, meaning both employers and employees now pay more into the system. This isn’t just a number change—it affects how much cash workers have in their pockets each month, and how secure their retirement feels. Meanwhile, across the border, the Uganda NSSF, Uganda’s equivalent retirement fund that’s seeing record returns and growing voluntary savings. More people are choosing to save extra on top of their mandatory contributions, showing a shift in how Africans think about long-term financial safety.

And it’s not just pensions. In South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, the President driving key economic policies to boost job creation and business growth. announced new support for small businesses, local enterprises with fewer than 20 employees that make up over 90% of African businesses. He’s pushing for easier access to credit, training, and less red tape. Why? Because small shops, tailors, mechanics, and food vendors don’t just survive—they create most of the new jobs in towns and cities.

These aren’t isolated events. The rise in NSSF contributions, the growth of voluntary savings, and the push to help small businesses all tie back to one thing: the economy is changing how Africans plan for the future. People are no longer just waiting for a salary—they’re looking for ways to build wealth, protect their income, and start something of their own.

What you’ll find below are real stories from across the continent—numbers that matter, policy changes that hit wallets, and the quiet entrepreneurs making it work despite the odds. No fluff. Just what’s actually happening in the economy right now.