insert_link Africa Bicycles can change lives, especially in rural Africa – new report looks at their use in Ghana and Malawi Bicycles are particularly valued for carrying loads. peeterv/Getty Images, CC BY By Daniel Frey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) To many people around the world bicycles are a crucial means of transport, especially for carrying loads in rural areas. While their benefits are huge and many organisations are working on making access to bicycles a reality, a range of barriers still prevent them from being more widely […] todayJune 11, 2024 8
insert_link Local Small businesses big impact: Boosting SMEs to drive economic growth In the face of a recovering economy, soaring inflation, and high interest rates, small business owners in Namibia are navigating challenging times. Now more than ever, supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is imperative, given their significant contribution to the Namibian economy. It is estimated that there are over 40 000 SMEs in Namibia, supporting the livelihoods of more than 200 000 people and contributing approximately […] todayMay 28, 2024 9
insert_link Namibia Swanu wants a fixed payday for old-age pension https://youtu.be/56nP6x9xi0I By Josia Shigwedha Swanu president Evilastus Kaaronda has criticised the current system of old age pension payment, labelling it an insult to senior citizens. Kaaronda calls for a fixed payday rather than being paid on the first Tuesday of every month. Kaaronda made the remarks during a media conference today where he touched on a number of issues affecting the Namibian people, highlighting the difficulties faced […] todayMay 3, 2024 18
insert_link Africa How to get vaccines to remote areas? In Sierra Leone they’re delivered by foot, boat or motorbike By Niccolo Francesco Meriggi, University of Oxford In Sierra Leone almost 59% of the population live in remote, rural areas. Roads may be non-existent or in bad condition, making it very difficult for rural dwellers to access healthcare. This is one of the key reasons why COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country are low. During an innovative vaccine programme mobile vaccine clinics were dispatched to the furthest […] todayApril 19, 2024 18
South Africa Social media for sex education: South African teens explain how it would help them Social media platforms can provide safe, accurate and confidential information about sex to teens. Nattrass/Getty Images By Ayobami Precious Adekola, University of South Africa Most teenagers dread talking about sex with their parents. Their parents feel the same way. In some societies it’s considered taboo to even broach the subject. And, even where sexuality education is taught at schools, research has shown that effective communication between young […] todayApril 18, 2024 21
insert_link Africa Diet and nutrition: how well Tanzanians eat depends largely on where they live By Hannah Ameye, University of Bonn Cities are growing faster in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere, with an annual urban population growth rate of around 4% compared to the world average of 1.5%. Across the continent the urban share of the total population is projected to increase to 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2050. Urbanisation is associated with lifestyle changes such as less physical activity and less […] todayApril 9, 2024 17
insert_link World Hundreds of Nigerian children are being kidnapped – the government must change its security strategy By Al Chukwuma Okoli, Federal University Lafia School abductions have been a trend in Nigeria. The latest took place in Kaduna and Sokoto states, both in the north-west region, when over 300 children were abducted at different times in March 2024. Previous prominent cases have included the Chibok, Dapchi and Kankara abductions, which insurgents claimed to have perpetrated. As a security scholar and analyst who has researched and […] todayMarch 25, 2024 11
insert_link Uncategorized Malawi and maize: prices have spiked on the back of bad weather and trade bans By Simon Roberts, University of Johannesburg and Namhla Landani, University of Johannesburg Maize is the leading staple food in Malawi and crucial for food security. Typically, local production from smallholder farmers meets and exceeds annual requirements of around 3 million metric tonnes. The country, however, is currently facing a crisis with 4.4 million Malawians (22% of the population) being food insecure. This is due firstly to a […] todayMarch 19, 2024 4
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
