Ending Gender-based Violence (GBV) as highlighted within SDG 5, aims to achieve gender equality and inclusion. Specifically, SDG 5.2 seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation . As a result, SDG 5 acknowledges that inclusion cannot be achieved until GBV is eliminated. In Nigeria, women have historically been the victims of various kinds of violence as a result of a patriarchal society and for them to achieve inclusion in society, we must first ensure that they are safe from violence and sexual assault.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has halted quasi-fiscal measures totalling over 10 trillion naira. The finance was issued by the CBN previously as development finance interventions. The cessation of quasi-fiscal measures by the CBN emerges as a response to empirical findings indicating that these measures to assist Micro,Small, And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have substantially increased the money supply, consequently contributing to the current inflation rates. Also, the size of the quasi-fiscal functions makes it easy for the CBN to lose sight of its core functions. This is largely because the independence of the CBN is weak and there is strong political pressure to make economic growth its primary function.

This study examines the adoption of education technology (Ed-Tech) in primary and secondary education in 10 sub-Saharan African countries: Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Benin, Malawi, and Senegal. The study assesses development and implementation of Ed-Tech policies and programmes in the region, exploring how far Ed-Tech has advanced learning outcomes, improved access, and reduced education inequalities within and between countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed, in its data on movement on gross foreign reserves, that the country’s foreign reserves, which were $37.1 billion as of January 3, 2023, fell to $33.1 billion by February 8, 2024.This represents a 10.7 per cent decline ($4 billion) in foreign reserves. Consequently, the number of months of imports equivalent declined from 7.6 months in January 2023 to 6.8 months as of February 8, 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its World Economic Outlook Update released in January 2024, estimated that Nigeria grew at 2.8 percent in 2023 and reviewed its 2024 economic growth forecast downward by 0.1 percent from 3.1 percent projected in October 2023 to 3.0 percent in 2024. Persistent macroeconomic weaknesses, high levels of public debt, poor infrastructure, political unpredictability, and external shocks like rising global geopolitical tension are some possible causes of this decreased economic growth

This policy brief aims to outline the key considerations for developing artificial intelligence (AI) governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability and confidence in AI systems across the African continent. AI is gaining some traction in African countries, as a means to drive socio-
economic development. Countries are recognising the potential of AI and as a result, are investing in research, innovation, and infrastructure to foster its growth.

The Oil market report for the fourth quarter of 2023 by the International Energy Agency indicates that the
growth of global oil demand is expected to slow down by 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2024 compared to 2.3 mb/d in 2023. The decline in projected oil demand is due to several factors including slow GDP growth in major economies falling below trend, increased energy efficiency and electrification of vehicle fleets. Conversely, the world oil supply was projected to rise by 1.5 mb/d to a new high of 103.5 mb/d, fuelled by record- setting output from non-OPEC countries like the US, Brazil, Guyana, and Canada. OPEC supply is expected to hold steady on previous supply.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation report for December 2023, revealed that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 28.92 percent. On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the figure is 7.58 percentage points higher compared to 21.34 percent recorded in December 2022 and 0.72 percentage points higher than 28.20 percent recorded in November 2023. The inflation rate is 11.76 percentage points higher than the 2023 budget assumption of 17.16 percent. The food inflation rate rose to 33.93 percent from 23.75 percent in December 2022, representing 10.18 percentage points increase.

According to the 2024 United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects report, global GDP growth is projected to slow from an estimated 2.7 percent in 2023 to 2.4 percent in 2024 and improve moderately to 2.7 percent in 2025. However, the growth projections for 2024 and 2025 are below the pre-pandemic growth rate trend of 3.0 percent. Economic growth in Africa is projected to remain weak, increasing from an average of 3.3 percent in 2023 to 3.5 percent in 2024. Debt sustainability concerns, stricter fiscal and monetary policies, and the weak world economy will continue to hinder Africa’s development prospects.