African countries have been disproportionately affected by international sanctions, with the top 10 nations facing a significant number of restrictions. According to data from the Council on Foreign Relations, these sanctions have been imposed by the United Nations, European Union, and the United States, among others.

The sanctions, which include arms embargoes, targeted sanctions on individuals, and travel restrictions, have far-reaching consequences for the economies and citizens of these countries. For instance, Zimbabwe has lost over $150 billion due to sanctions imposed since 2001, while the Central African Republic has struggled to protect its citizens from terrorist groups due to an arms embargo.

Interestingly, most of these sanctions were initiated by regional African organizations themselves, highlighting the complex dynamics at play. The impact of these sanctions on the tech and startup ecosystem in Africa cannot be overstated, with potential consequences for trade, investment, and innovation.