2025 was a year of resilience and turbulence for Africa.
The continent saw a wave of presidential elections, from Cameroon to Cote d'Ivoire and Tanzania.
Youth frustration and weak institutions fueled unrest. Africa's Gen Z pushed for social justice, political transparency, participation and protection from political repression.
Coups continued to shake the Sahel and West Africa regions.
On the global stage, Africa became a permanent member of the G20, and South Africa hosted its first ever summit in Africa.
In Central Africa, the Logone Bridge opened between Cameroon and Chad, strengthening the entire regional economy by improving transport logistics and unlocking opportunity for 4.7 million people along the Lake Chad Basin.
In Ethiopia, the largest hydropower project in Africa — the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was inaugurated.
But behind progress, pain persisted.
In Sudan, war raged. In the Sahel, jihadis uprooted families. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Mozambique were also all scarred by violence.
Millions of people needed urgent assistance. Displacement, hunger, and climate shocks compounded the crisis.
And yet… Africa celebrated heroes. Kenya dominated the World Athletics Championships with record-breaking runs. Football united millions — South Africa shone at the Women's AFCON, while Morocco prepared for a historic men's AFCON at year's end.