There were once high hopes that this would be the “African century”. The term encapsulated a desire to see the continent overcome the legacies of colonialism and exploitation, and move towards a future in which, buttressed by economic prosperity and political stability, many African nations would play a decisive role in an increasingly multi-polar world.
As we approach the quarter-way point in that journey, the picture looks mixed. Some parts of the continent have become richer; the World Bank in October predicted that East Africa’s economy was heading for record growth of 1.8 per cent in 2023 while West Africa was expected to grow at 3.3 per cent. Africa also has the advantage of being the world’s youngest continent, with all the talent and energy that brings – according to the UN nearly three quarters of people in sub-Saharan Africa are under the age of 30.
Nonetheless, the continent continues to suffer from too many conflicts that are raging unchecked but seem to remain below the radar on the world stage. These wars threaten not only local stability but risk derailing an entire continent’s prospects by driving millions of people from their homes.
This week, Radhoune Noucier, a human rights expert appointed by the UN High Commissioner to monitor Sudan, told UN News that out of the war-torn country’s 45 million people, more than 7.6 million had been forcibly displaced since last April, with 1.6 million of them fleeing to neighbouring nations for shelter. This nine-month conflict, which worryingly shows little sign of stopping, adds to the population movements generated by conflicts, insurgencies and instability elsewhere in Africa, such as in the Sahel, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. Elsewhere, reports of impending famine in the devastated Ethiopian region of Tigray as well as recent tensions between Addis Ababa and Cairo over Somaliland’s access to the Red Sea present additional challenges.
According to the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, the continent is experiencing a decade-long trend in which the number of Africans who have been forcibly displaced has risen over the past 12 months and now stands at more than 40 million people. This uprooting of whole communities acts as a driver for irregular migration and presents serious challenges for fragile African economies, countries where governance is corrupt or weak, or where security is lacking. And, contrary to some popular assumptions, migration streams in Africa do not move northwards towards Europe only. South Africa, the richest country in that part of the continent, has been the scene of violent and xenophobic protests over the presence of migrants from neighbouring states.
This is an issue that is not going away. The International Monetary Fund says the population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double from 1 billion to 2 billion by about 2050 – and most of this population will be young or of working age. Unless the tangled web of conflict, flawed government and uneven economic growth that blights a number of the continent’s countries is tackled, displacement and involuntary migration will continue to hold back the continent’s progress.
There is little doubt that the war in Gaza and its spreading effects have commandeered much of the world’s attention. Given the extreme nature of what’s unfolding, this is understandable. But the fact that Africa’s latest war – the conflict unfolding in Sudan- is not garnering global action is a worrying indication of indifference.
If those countries or regions that are concerned with global security and some of whom struggle to cope with undocumented migrants – many fleeing Africa’s wars – are serious about resolving the issue, then redoubling efforts to resolve the Sudan conflict is a good place to start. Sudan’s war has been going on for close to a year, with too many false dawns. The longer it continues, the more Sudanese will suffer and millions will be forced to flee. This scenario is playing out across the continent and unfortunately bodes ill for the “African century”.
Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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