Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

African populace who are not considered poor

Africa now accounts for most of the world’s rich and poor.

Three in ten Africans in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe are not considered poor. In eighteen African countries 50% of residents live on more than $1.90 per day. 

When it comes to measuring monetary poverty, the $1.90 benchmark is used to assess how well people are doing relative to the basic needs. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and hosts Africa's richest and poorest populations.

Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote is an industrialist currently worth 12 billion US dollars. He founded the Dangote Group which controls much of Nigeria’s commodities trade. 

This business tycoon and philanthropist is referred to as the golden child of Nigerian business circle. He once drove a taxi cab on the streets of London to fund his education.

Luanda is the priciest city to live in the whole of Africa

Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests in commodities trading, cement manufacturing, sugar refining, salt processing, and more.

Dangote was born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria. He studied business at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, before starting his business career in 1977 by trading in commodities such as sugar and rice.

Over the years, Dangote has built his business empire into one of the largest in Africa, with operations in several countries. He is widely regarded as one of the richest people in Africa and the world, with a net worth of around $9.5 billion as of 2021, according to Forbes.

Apart from his business ventures, Dangote is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including the fight against HIV/AIDS, and has also established a foundation to help alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

Africa now accounts for most of the world’s rich and poor, and unlike most of the rest of the world, the total number of rich and poor is increasing due to success in the tech market, oil and mineral growth. 

Most of Angola's capital city population lives in poverty on the outskirts of the city but in the center, Angola's capital city Luanda is the priciest city to live in the whole of Africa.

In Luanda, you must have very deep pockets for housing, transport, clothes, food and entertainment and everything else in-between. Luanda was judged the costliest city due to the expense of goods and security.

When it comes to measuring monetary poverty, the $1.90 benchmark is used to assess how well people are doing relative to the basic needs. Almost half the world lives on less than US$5.50 per day with around 25% of this number living on less than US$3.20 per day.

But the population of Africa is young, very young in fact. The median age in Africa is 21 years old. Niger average age is 14.8, the youngest African country and the youngest country in the world. The African islands of Seychelles is the oldest African country with an average age of 36.8. Most young people are go-getter city dwellers not setting for living on $1.90 per day.

According to the most recent estimates, in 2015, the poorest African citizens disproportionately live in rural areas and the more well-to-do live in expensive cities, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco are Africa's five richest countries with the best economies. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and hosts Africa's richest and poorest populations.

African populace who are not considered poor.

African Country Percent living above $1.90 per day
Mauritius 92
Morocco 85
Tunisia 84.5
South Africa 83.4
Botswana 80.7
Uganda 78.5
Tanzania 77.2
Algeria 77
Djibouti 77
Ghana 75.8
Egypt 72.2
Namibia 71.3
Ethiopia 70.4
Cabo Verde 70
Cameroon 70
Mauritania 69
Libya 67
Gabon 65.7
Kenya 63.9
Mali 63.9
Benin 63.8
Angola 63.4
Rwanda 60.9
Seychelles 60.7
Burkina Faso 59.9
Equatorial Guinea 56
Niger 54.6
Mozambique 53.9
Cote d'Ivoire 53.7
Republic of the Congo 53.5
Sudan 53.5
Chad 53.3
Senegal 53.3
Guinea 53
The Gambia 51.6
Eritrea 50
Malawi 49.3
Liberia 45.9
Zambia 45.6
Togo 44.9
Lesotho 43
Central African Republic 38
Democratic Republic of the Congo 37
Eswatini 37
Burundi 35.4
South Sudan 34
Sao Tome and Principe 33.7
Guinea-Bissau 33
Nigeria 30
Sierra Leone 29.8
Madagascar 29.3
Zimbabwe 27.7
Somalia no data

While three in ten Africans in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe are not considered  officially poor, poverty is on the rise in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in fragile and conflict-affected states. 

Poverty encompasses a shortfall in income and consumption, but also low educational achievement, poor health and nutritional outcomes, lack of access to basic services, and a hazardous living environment.

Did you know? In October 2015, approximately 10% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty, the lowest poverty rate in recorded history and a $1.90 at 2011 international prices became the new international poverty line (IPL).

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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