Somalia’s development trajectory continues to reflect the long-term consequences of decades of conflict, even as gradual progress in rebuilding state institutions and governance capacity becomes increasingly visible. Somalia’s future will depend on whether it can turn incremental gains into a coherent development pathway that aligns institutional capacity, economic transformation and human capital, and translates these into a coordinated reform agenda.

South Sudan is entering a critical phase of its development. Since independence, conflict, displacement, macroeconomic instability and heavy reliance on oil have weakened institutions and slowed structural transformation. Yet, the country has significant opportunities, from fertile agricultural land to regional markets, if stability, governance and fundamental economic enablers improve.

This theme explores Africa’s infrastructure gap, including roads, railways, ports, airports and ICT, and its potential trajectory under a Current Path (business-as-usual) scenario to 2050. Further, the Large Infrastructure and Leapfrogging scenario models the effects of improved infrastructure, showing how strategic investments in both foundational and advanced systems, supported by modern technologies, could drive substantial development gains across the continent.

In an ageing world, Africa’s success will underpin global economic dynamism, innovation and sustainability. The coming decades will test whether governments and partners can convert population growth into human progress—through education, health, governance and opportunity.

Fertiliser supply disruptions reveal deeper structural gaps in the continent’s production and distribution systems, with implications for food security.