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The report compares a 'Current Path' forecast for Angola with a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario, which integrates 11 sectoral improvements. The Combined scenario projects a dramatic increase in GDP per capita to US$16,023 by 2043 and a significant reduction in extreme poverty, though it also forecasts a substantial increase in carbon emissions due to industrial and demographic growth.

The Combined Agenda 2063 scenario, integrating 11 sectoral reforms, is projected to significantly increase COMESA's GDP per capita to US$10,235 by 2043 and nearly eradicate extreme poverty. While driving substantial economic growth, particularly in Malawi and Ethiopia, the scenario is also expected to increase carbon emissions to 380 million metric tons by 2043.

The Combined Agenda 2063 scenario is projected to significantly increase North Africa's GDP per capita and total GDP by 2043, with the most substantial gains driven by free trade under AfCFTA, manufacturing, and leapfrogging. While the scenario predicts a sharp decline in extreme poverty—particularly in Mauritania and Egypt—it also forecasts a 17% increase in carbon emissions compared to the Current Path, primarily driven by Egypt and Algeria.

The report projects that the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario would significantly increase Benin's GDP per capita to US$7,421 and nearly double the overall economy to US$117.2 billion by 2043. While this path would lift an additional 4.6 million people out of extreme poverty and drive structural transformation toward services and manufacturing, it is also projected to increase carbon emissions to 10.1 million tons, necessitating an accelerated energy transition to mitigate environmental degradation.

The document models the potential for Burundi to achieve significant growth and poverty reduction through a combined policy push across sectors like governance, health, and agriculture. While the 'Combined scenario' predicts a dramatic increase in GDP and a sharp decline in extreme poverty by 2043, it also forecasts a higher increase in carbon emissions compared to the current path.

The Combined Agenda 2063 scenario for Cape Verde projects significant economic growth, with GDP per capita reaching US$15,663 by 2043 and a substantial reduction in extreme poverty. While the service, manufacturing, and ICT sectors are expected to be the primary drivers of GDP, the scenario also predicts an increase in carbon emissions to 0.47 million tons by 2043, necessitating an accelerated energy transition to mitigate environmental degradation.

The report concludes that while Burundi has made progress in peace and macroeconomic stability since 2000, it remains hindered by political fragility, poor infrastructure, and low agricultural productivity. On its current path, the country is forecast to improve but will likely miss many 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis emphasizes that a coordinated policy push across development sectors, focusing on agricultural modernization, economic diversification into manufacturing, and climate-resilient infrastructure, is necessary to reduce aid dependency and improve citizen prosperity.

The United States is well-positioned to lead the next-generation geothermal supply chain due to significant overlaps with the oil and gas industry, though gaps remain in superhot rock (SHR) compatible rigs and power conversion turbomachinery. While investment in the sector grew from $22 million in 2018 to $2.2 billion in 2025, the report warns that equipment supply chains could become a bottleneck for national-scale adoption. Developing a domestic supply chain could create over 100,000 jobs in wellfield and plant operations and catalyze manufacturing growth in regions like Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, and South Carolina. To secure this advantage, the report recommends expanding the 45X advanced manufacturing production tax credit to geothermal and improving data on equipment capacity and production costs.

Africa faces a critical gap between rapid labour force growth and the creation of formal jobs. By 2043, the labour force is expected to almost double from its 2023 level of 576 million. While the services sector continues to dominate GDP, a 'Combined' scenario involving pro-growth policies could increase Africa's GDP to US$8.9 trillion by 2043, compared to US$6.4 trillion on the 'Current Path'.

The report warns that Africa's labour force growth is outstripping job supply, leaving many dependent on a low-productivity informal sector. It argues that while agriculture and services will provide most jobs, manufacturing offers the highest long-term impact. To avoid social instability and the risk of a missed demographic dividend, the authors advocate for digitisation to formalise the informal economy, massive upskilling in AI and STEM, and a shift in mindset from seeking jobs to creating them through entrepreneurship.

The report highlights a significant gap between the skills of African graduates and the requirements of the modern job market, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It notes that sub-Saharan Africa has low enrollment in vocational programmes compared to global averages, though some countries like Angola perform better. The text argues for a balance between academic and vocational training to support agribusiness and manufacturing, while warning that poor foundational education in sub-Saharan Africa creates a lack of 'readily trainable workers' for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The research finds that an aggressive reduction in gender inequality would significantly increase Africa's GDP, GDP per capita, and human development indices by 2043. The most substantial economic gains are projected in the service sector and in regions with currently high gender gaps, such as North and West Africa. Socially, the Gender scenario is forecast to lift millions out of extreme poverty and reduce the number of stunted children by 6 million compared to the Current Path.

The document examines the diverse nature of Africa's manufacturing sector, noting that most countries remain outliers with low manufacturing shares of GDP. It highlights a trend of 'premature deindustrialization' in low-income countries and the significant role of Chinese private enterprises in meeting domestic demand. While most of the continent relies on raw material exports, a few countries like Eswatini and South Africa show higher industrial competitiveness.

The report identifies a complex web of barriers to industrialisation in Africa, including colonial legacies of extractive industries, chronic infrastructure deficits in power and transport, and a lack of skilled technical labour. It highlights how policy inconsistencies and limited access to affordable long-term finance have hindered growth, while noting that global competition from Asia and the rise of automation challenge the traditional low-wage labour advantage. However, it points to opportunities arising from 'China+1' diversification strategies and the potential of the AfCFTA to reduce internal trade costs.

The report analyzes how GDP composition shifts from agriculture to services and manufacturing as countries grow wealthier. It highlights that while Africa's economic structure mirrors India's service-led growth, it lacks the broad industrial base seen in China's manufacturing-led strategy. The text notes that Africa's growth has been hindered by a reliance on extractive industries and a delayed demographic window of opportunity, expected around 2051.

The document concludes that African development is a non-linear, complex process requiring a shift from 'grand schemes' to the 'mundane functions' of governance and technical implementation. It emphasizes that success depends on national ownership, a social contract between citizens and the state, and consistent investment in knowledge creation and innovation to move up the productivity curve. The author outlines eight requirements for transformation, including strategic prioritization of catalytic interventions like agriculture and digital infrastructure, and the capacity for implementation through capable civil services.

The document outlines a projected shift in Africa's labour market from 2023 to 2043, where a 'Combined scenario' envisions a significant decrease in informal employment from 58% to 40%. This transition is expected to be driven by a resurgence in manufacturing, digital innovation, and targeted investments in infrastructure and skills, leading to improved social protection and government revenue.

The Manufacturing scenario projects a structural economic transformation for Africa by 2043, increasing the manufacturing sector's GDP share to 18.1% and adding US$282.8 billion to the continent's total GDP. This shift is expected to generate 34.6 million additional jobs, primarily unskilled roles in agro-processing and services, while increasing government revenue by US$81.6 billion. The scenario forecasts a reduction in extreme poverty, lifting 19.11 million more people out of poverty by 2043 than the Current Path, and predicts a long-term decrease in income inequality through the expansion of the middle class.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) asserts that while South Africa saw modest GDP growth of 1.2% in 2025 and improvements in energy and logistics, these gains have not reduced high unemployment, poverty, or food insecurity. The IEJ calls for a shift from market-centric policies to a developmental macroeconomic framework that prioritizes industrial policy, progressive taxation, and expanded social security to achieve inclusive growth.

Nedbank implemented the TNFD LEAP framework to assess nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities (DIROs) within its credit portfolio, primarily focusing on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Using a double materiality lens and tools like ENCORE and the WWF Water Risk Filter, the bank identified six priority sectors—real estate, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, mining and quarrying, energy, and agriculture—based on financial exposure and nature-related scores. While real estate had the highest financial exposure but low nature impact, primary sectors like agriculture and mining showed high dependency and impact. A specific review of a mining client revealed operational interfaces with Critical Biodiversity Areas and Strategic Groundwater Resource Areas, highlighting risks associated with South Africa's water scarcity. The bank is now moving into Phase 2 to quantify financial risks and identify nature-positive lending opportunities.