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David Pilling

Africa Editor

David Pilling is the Africa editor of the Financial Times. He was previously Asia editor and also formerly Tokyo Bureau Chief for the FT from January 2002 to August 2008. His column ranges over business, investment, politics and economics.

He joined the FT in 1990. He has worked in London as an editor, in Chile and Argentina as a correspondent and covered the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Email David Pilling @davidpilling  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)
Email David Pilling @davidpilling  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)

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  • Monday, 16 May, 2022
    US foreign policy
    US to establish ‘persistent’ military presence in Somalia

    Biden administration reverses Trump’s withdrawal from the country as al-Shabaab threat grows

    1 hour ago
  • Tuesday, 3 May, 2022
    Africa
    Horn of Africa ravaged by worst drought in four decades

    Up to 20mn people could go hungry as delayed rains exacerbate fallout from war in Ukraine

  • Tuesday, 3 May, 2022
    Special ReportAfrica’s Fastest Growing Companies
    FT ranking: Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2022

    From digitising informal trade to fintech and mining, our inaugural list reflects trends on the continent

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    Mauritians’ cherished democracy comes under strain

    The narrow political class has served the country reasonably well, but the system is being put to the test

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    Wakashio oil spill highlights fragile Mauritian ecology

    Critics say government needs to think harder about how to develop the blue economy in a sustainable manner

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    Mauritian tourism industry flickers back to life

    The island shut itself off the world for much of the pandemic but is seeking to lure back visitors to its world-class resorts

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    Mauritius drives to diversify as manufacturing stalls

    Much of island’s economic success was built on textiles but rising labour costs underline need for high-tech products

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    How Covid-19 interrupted the Mauritian economic miracle

    The government threw everything at the crisis, but to continue its upward trajectory the island needs to reinvent itself yet again

  • Friday, 1 April, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Mauritius
    Mauritius: after the spending comes the reckoning

    The government mounted an effective Covid stimulus package. It now needs to tame the deficit and curb rising debt

  • Thursday, 24 March, 2022
    Ethiopia
    Ethiopia’s government declares ‘unilateral truce’ in Tigray conflict

    Food aid go-ahead raises hopes for start of peace talks in 16-month war with region

  • Thursday, 24 March, 2022
    War in Ukraine
    This is no time for neutrality in Africa on Ukraine

    In the past decade Russia has stepped up efforts to peddle influence, sell arms and extract minerals in the continent

  • Wednesday, 16 March, 2022
    Nigeria
    Nigeria’s health system requires radical overhaul, experts warn

    Lancet Commission report makes recommendations to reduce high burden of disease that stymies development

  • Monday, 7 March, 2022
    Special ReportFT Health: Future of Antibiotics
    Antibiotic resistance in Africa: ‘a pandemic that is already here’

    Drug-resistant pathogens and poor hygiene mean simple procedures can deteriorate into lengthy and costly infections

  • Thursday, 17 February, 2022
    Africa
    Europe seeks to reboot relationship with Africa

    African leaders arrive in Brussels on Thursday for summit amid strained relations over everything from vaccines to counter terror

  • Tuesday, 15 February, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Nigeria
    Dysfunctional politics blights Nigeria’s prospects

    The country’s vast oil wealth has been absorbed by government rather than used to build economic foundations

  • Tuesday, 15 February, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Nigeria
    Nigeria: Africa’s paradoxical powerhouse

    For all its economic might, it remains a deeply dysfunctional country

  • Tuesday, 15 February, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Nigeria
    Lagos turns to edtech partner to raise school standards

    The state says its alliance with NewGlobe is improving numeracy and literacy

  • Tuesday, 15 February, 2022
    Special ReportInvesting in Nigeria
    Development needs delay Nigeria’s energy transition

    Fossil fuels will dominate the country’s energy mix for decades to come

  • Monday, 7 February, 2022
    FT SeriesFive great off-road adventures
    Walking with camels: a Kenyan adventure

    A multi-day, camel-supported hike ventures ‘off-map’ to reveal wonders big and small

  • Monday, 31 January, 2022
    African politics
    What is Nigeria’s government for?

    Muhammadu Buhari may go but it’s not the leader who matters, the system itself must change

  • Tuesday, 11 January, 2022
    The Big Read
    China applies brakes to Africa lending

    Beijing has signalled a more cautious approach amid warnings that several African countries could struggle to repay debts

  • Thursday, 6 January, 2022
    South Africa
    The idea of South Africa continues to battle the reality

    You do not need the moral compass of Desmond Tutu to recognise what a let-down the past 27 years have been

  • Monday, 3 January, 2022
    Sudan
    Sudan’s crisis deepens after resignation of prime minister

    Abdalla Hamdok’s decision to stand down leaves generals without any civilians in government

  • Sunday, 2 January, 2022
    Sudan
    Sudan’s prime minister resigns calling for fresh talks with military

    Abdalla Hamdok quits in televised address after day of violent protests demanding democratic progress

  • Sunday, 26 December, 2021
    Demographics and population
    Africa’s population boom doesn’t spell a demographic dividend

    The key to prosperity across the continent is to give women more control over their lives

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