Outlook to 2043 for 54 countries using two main scenarios, eight sector scenarios and 19 reporting themes.

Link to microsite

In collaboration with the University of Denver, USA, and the African Union Development Agency.

Link to 17 October 2025 report

Overall scenarios

1. Current path: using University of Denver data.
   • No major future shocks.
2. Combined scenario: the result of applying the sector scenarios (below) to the current path scenario.
   • Indicated by the ISS to be ambitiously positive and an ‘upper ceiling’.

Sector scenarios

1. Demographics and health.
2. Agriculture.
3. Education.
4. Infrastructure and leapfrogging.
5. Manufacturing.
6. Free trade (African Continental Free Trade Area).
7. Financial flows.
8. Governance.

The above eight sector scenarios have been derived from the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision.

The ISS adds a ‘synergistic effect’ attributed to the combination of scenarios.

Reporting themes

1. Current path.
2. Demographics.
3. Agriculture.
4. Health and WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene).
5. Education.
6. Manufacturing.
7. AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area).
8. Leapfrogging.
9. Financial flows.
10. Large infrastructure.
11. Governance.
12. Work/jobs.
13. Climate.
14. Energy.
15. Gender.
16. Combined scenario.
17. Africa in the World.
18. UN Security Council.
19. State futures in the Global South.