The Shadow Vaults of the Continent: A Comprehensive Analysis of Currency Outside Banks, Unmeasured GDP, and the Hidden Wealth of African Nations (2020–2024)
100Africa.com Report 1. Introduction: The Monetary Paradox of Modern Africa The economic narrative of Africa in the early 2020s is frequently framed through the lens of technological leapfrogging—a continent bypassing traditional banking infrastructure in favor of fintech solutions, mobile money, and digital innovation. However, a granular examination of central bank data across fifty African nations reveals a divergent, more…