Africa

El Niño: Malawi’s harvest of maize – its staple food – may fall by 22.5% this year

By Joachim De Weerdt, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Channing Arndt, CGIAR System Organization; James Thurlow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Jan Duchoslav, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Joseph Glauber, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Liangzhi You, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , and Weston Anderson, University of Maryland Maize is the preferred staple of most of southern Africa. […]

January 30, 2024 45

Africa

Neglected tropical diseases persist in the world’s poorest places: four reads about hurdles and progress

By Nadine Dreyer, via The Conversation It’s sobering to reflect that “neglected tropical diseases” are referred to as “neglected” because they persist in the poorest, most marginalised communities even after being wiped out in more developed parts of the world. A variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins, cause neglected tropical diseases, which include dengue, chikungunya, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and yaws. They inflict tremendous suffering because […]

January 30, 2024 19

Africa

Kenya’s healthcare workers abuse a third of teen mums from informal settlements – study

By Anthony Idowu Ajayi, African Population and Health Research Center and Caroline W. Kabiru, African Population and Health Research Center Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health concern: in 2022, about 13% of girls and young women gave birth before the age of 18. Compared with women in their early 20s, adolescents are more susceptible to maternal deaths. Pregnancy-related complications are among the leading causes of death […]

January 30, 2024 47

Africa

Niger and Russia are forming military ties: 3 ways this could upset old allies

By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University In July 2023, Niger’s military took over in a coup just two years after the country’s first transition to civilian power. The coup has brought into sharp focus the role of foreign countries in Niger’s politics. Before the coup, France and the US were the main security allies of Niger. But the coup leaders, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, were open about […]

January 30, 2024 17

Africa

Will Kenya’s strategic mining reforms catalyse a sector renaissance?

By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency Kenya's mining and extractives sector is flourishing, reaping the rewards of recent reforms that promise to increase sector revenues as the country positions itself for economic gains from the burgeoning industry. From legal and legislative reforms to seamless mapping and surveying of available resources, the East African country is showing increased interest in tapping into new revenue-generating opportunities in the sector. […]

January 30, 2024 9

Africa

UNDP’s New $1 Billion Fund Could Boost Africa’s Tech Startups Globally

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, left, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda helped launch the United Nations Development Program’s investment fund directed at tech startups in Africa. Called Timbuktoo, it could cushion the bearish state of venture capital globally. WEF2024 By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue Venture capital funding is shrinking globally, but experts are optimistic that a new $1 billion investment […]

January 30, 2024 32

Africa

West African Military-Led States Exit ECOWAS Amid Democratic Rule Pressure

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all under military leadership, have simultaneously announced their immediate departure from the Economic Community of West African States. Local Political Analyst Rakkel Andreas weighs in on the significance of this decision. Salomei Hei the Managing Director at High Economic Intelligence explains the Economic implications this might have.

January 30, 2024 27

Africa

Kenya oil facilities face huge losses

A new report says Kenya has lost $200 million worth of oil exports to Uganda. The country has been Uganda's largest regional market since last year. Daniel Kijo reports.

January 29, 2024 48

Africa

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announce withdrawal from ECOWAS

Military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have withdrawn from ECOWAS, with immediate effect. According to the AFP news agency, all three countries were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions. They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an "Alliance of Sahel States". A French military withdrawal from the Sahel -- the region along the Sahara desert across Africa -- has […]

January 29, 2024 1