From the Niger Delta to the Red Sea, our best series from 2020

Throughout the year, our intrepid team of reporters have worked to bring you in-depth analysis of controversial, timely and off-beat topics. Here's a look at our top five from 2020:
1. Angola: on the trail of stolen billions
Angola’s economy is in a state of fragility. Its tough economic restructuring programme at the beginning of the year focused on the sale of state-owned oil and diamond assets, reform of the national budget. The major hit it has taken from the coronavirus epidemic, has also weakened the country. But perhaps Angola would have weathered the storm better had over $100bn not been stolen from state coffers during the four decade presidency of José Eduardo dos Santos.
In this series, Patrick Smith and Zoe Eisenstein report on the campaign to find those stolen funds and how it is changing the politics and economy of Angola.
2. Biometric Identification: How far can we go?
As technology proves more and more compatible with our daily needs, many corporations – big and small – are launching biometric identification products to respond to security and health needs.
In this series, we explore how far we can go in this growing industry?
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3. Nigeria at 60
On 1 October 1960, Nigeria erupted into celebration to mark its independence from the clutches of Britain. In 60 years, the country has lived a lifetime and then some – surviving civil war, coups and dictatorships to become a thriving democratic country with one of Africa’s largest economies.
In this special series, we look back at Nigeria’s first 60 years and look forward to another 60.
4. Red Sea Dynamics
The Red Sea has always been the site of power plays amongst countries vying for its control. From the ancient Egyptian expeditions to Punt land, to the Romans who established its role as an important artery for trade with the East. And today, the strategic artery remains both a beacon of peace or a catalyst for destruction.
In this series, we look at its ever-changing dynamics.
5. Nigeria’s silent killer: The deadly price of oil
Nine years ago, after publishing a comprehensive survey of the damage, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) called for the launch of a $1bn fund to clean up decades of oil spills there. It is a 600 square kilometre area full of shut-off oil wells and a labyrinth of ageing pipelines converge.
In this series, we examine how today it still remains one of the most contaminated stretches of water and marsh land in the world.