The Liberalist

South Africa's energy transformation offers a blueprint for sustainable power in Africa. But how? Our LoR established that much of the progress is attributed to an initiative that intentionally invited and attracted private capital investments into the renewable energy sector. #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #SouthAfrica #Sustainability #PolicyInnovation #CleanEnergy

Ghana joins the ranks of countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles, which top the Africa Visa Openness Index for their progressive stance of granting unrestricted access to all African passport holders. These nations illustrate the transformative potential of visa-free travel in fostering economic cooperation. Rwanda, for example, has leveraged its open-door policy to boost tourism and investment, while Seychelles has experienced similar gains in economic activity. The move reflects what Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, articulated as essential for trade and unity: “We cannot say we have borderless trade when we put up barriers for people to travel.” #Ghana #VisaFreeAfrica #Africans #Policy

Ghana’s decision to implement a visa-free policy for African travelers aligns with a growing continental push for regional integration. It joins the ranks of countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles, which top the Africa Visa Openness Index for their progressive stance of granting unrestricted access to all African passport holders. #Ghana #Visa #Borderless #Africa

For decades, African nations have dreamed of borderless travel, a vision rooted in unity, shared identity, and economic cooperation. Now, Ghana has taken a bold step to make that dream a reality. Last year in December, Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo took a significant step towards promoting pan-Africanism by granting executive approval for the country’s visa-free policy for all Africans. This move paved the way for the policy to take effect in January 2025, right before the end of his term. Ghana’s decision to implement a visa-free policy for African travellers aligns with a growing continental push for regional integration. It joins the ranks of countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles, which top the Africa Visa Openness Index for their progressive stance of granting unrestricted access to all African passport holders. However, beneath the symbolic triumph lies a persistent domestic crisis that threatens to undermine the policy’s potential. Read full analysis here as written by Oluwabukola Kuteyi, a 2024 Journalism For Liberty Fellow: https://lnkd.in/dcnh2yJu #Africa #economy #Ghana #Policy #visafreetravel ©TheLiberalist

As we reflect on the year gone by, we reflect on one of our most revealing articles: “Why Social Investment Programmes Failed in Nigeria.” This piece, chosen as one of the five The Liberalist Editor’s Picks, captured the frustrations and hopes of Nigerians grappling with the realities of government intervention programs. Coincidentally, the Nigerian Government recently launched the Consumer Credit Scheme, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s credit infrastructure and provide financial guarantees for lenders. CreditCorp, the agency overseeing the scheme, is tasked with mobilizing N180 trillion in loans. While this initiative is promising on paper, the lessons from past social investment programs, like N-Power, cannot be ignored. Will CreditCorp succeed where others have failed? Read our latest LoR.

Happy New Year 2025 from Us All at The Liberalist! Cheers to 2025! At The Liberalist, we’re excited to keep pushing for a freer, more prosperous world. Thanks for joining us on this journey! Here’s to an amazing year ahead! #TheLiberalist #HappyNewYear #NewYear2025

As his final message to our esteemed audience in 2024, our managing editor reflects on the achievements that defined the past 12 months and shares an inspiring glimpse into the ambitious plans that await us in 2025. “At the heart of our mission is a belief in the boundless potential of free individuals. When people are free to pursue their dreams, their innovation and creativity fuel progress. But too often, this potential is stifled by oppressive systems and restrictive policies. That’s why the Liberalist Centre exists—not to imagine a freer society, but to intentionally inspire it.”

In 2011, Donald Kaberuka, then an executive of the African Development Bank, described Africa as a land of opportunity poised to propel global growth. More than a decade later, however, the continent’s economic engine is faltering, hindered by its own policymakers. Studies revealed a common trajectory in African nations’ economic journey which are restrictions imposed by leaders. Far from tax restrictions, several African economies suffer restrictions propelled by non-tariff barriers, protectionist measures other than taxation and import constraints. The The World Bank has noted that these policies create a hostile environment for trade and innovation, further entrenching poverty. Read full analysis here as written by Favour Adeboye Adeboye: https://lnkd.in/dDNdafXe #Africa #AfricanGovernments #EconomicFreedom #economy #FraserInstitute #GlobalEconomicFreedom #WorldBank ©TheLiberalist

As 2024 comes to a close, The Liberalist reflects on the major attacks that threatened press freedom in Africa. Eritrea leads as the most repressed country in the continent and in the world, and democratic nations like Nigeria and Kenya got labelled as hotspots for journalist harassment. According to a report by Media Rights Agenda (MRA), a non-profit organisation advocating for media freedom and digital rights, between January 1 and October 31, law enforcement and security agencies were responsible for 45 out of 69 reported attacks on journalists, accounting for approximately 65 percent of the total incidents. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also sees a worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and increasing pressure from the state actors. Read full analysis here on notable press attacks across Africa: https://lnkd.in/db3zxDge #Africa #Democracy #HumanRights #Kenya #Nigeriangovernment #Pressfreedom #ReportersWithoutBorder #Senegal ©TheLiberalist

This year has been a challenging one for press freedom across Africa. Journalists, the backbone of accountability and truth, faced increasing threats, harassment, and even abductions. The International Press Institute said it worries about a growing trend of governments and political authorities failing to protect media autonomy and independence. Our latest LoR reflects on this development, detailing Africa's attempt to silence the press.