Desert Locusts Unleash Mayhem in the Horn of Africa
For over several millennia, swarms of desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) have plagued Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They are known to have affected the livelihoods of a tenth of the global population. Farmers and community dwellers are helpless in combating
Another Boat Sinks Amidst Africa’s Refugee Crisis
The refugee crisis goes on and on. On Nov. 27, 2019, at least 150 refugees boarded a boat on the Gambian shore. These people embarked on their journey with the hopes of reaching the Canary Islands, often seen as a
Much to gain from reducing food loss and waste in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania
Reducing food loss and waste is critical for economic growth, poverty reduction, improved nutrition and climate change mitigation. Article in collaboration with: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) seeks to address the increasing challenge of global
Shape Your Future With Degan Ali, Executive Director of Adeso
Degan Ali is the Executive Director at Adeso. In 2003 she designed and oversaw the delivery of the first large scale cash aid distribution in Africa implemented by an NGO rather than a government agency Under Degan Ali, Adeso has become
Empowerment Through Electricity: An Interview With Africa GreenTec
With just above two-fifths of its population having access to electricity (over 600 million people), sub-Saharan Africa is a region assessed to have the lowest electricity access rates in the world — lower not only than the global rates, but
Violence in South Africa ripples across the region
Last week in South Africa, violence ravaged the country. Foreign-owned shops were the target of looting and torching. Besides shops being utterly wrecked, at least 10 people have died and more than 420 people have been arrested. Related topics: Post-Apartheid Inequality
The Abuja Moment: When the City Rose for the Rights of Women
The concept that women’s rights activism and women’s empowerment are tasks for women and women-led organizations is indeed obsolete and largely condescending. In the fight against the global pandemic of violence against women, women have led the way, likely because
Investing in the future: youth-led research and its role in combating climate change
Article in collaboration with: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) seeks to address the increasing challenge of global warming and declining food security on agricultural practices, policies and measures through strategic, broad-based global partnerships. In order
Liberia: A Path to a Modern Education
Editors Note: Written by Former Liberia Education Minister George Werner, this article reflects on Partnership Schools for Liberia (now Liberian Education Advancement Programme) and the lessons that came from implementing one of Africa’s most innovative public sector transformations, largely enabled
The Stigmatisation of Rural Teen Mothers in Zimbabwe
Teen mothers in Seke Rural, a constituency of Zimbabwe, are speaking out about how society stigmatises and ostracizes them. The teen mothers spoke during a decision makers' dialogue held by Shamwari Yemwansikana (Exclusive Friend Of the Girl Child). They expressed
Specialized Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa: Exporting Production, Performance, and Perils
There is a popular saying in Africa that “manufacturing is only for the brave.” Recently, such sayings have been extended to those brave enough to invest in Africa and attempt to increase Africa’s share of global trade (3% currently). Lack
UNFPA: Supporting Vulnerable, Displaced Women, Girls, and Newborns Amidst Ongoing Conflict in Tripoli
"We are a rich country but we are poor people," said one of the internally-displaced women who found shelter in a school in Tripoli. "How can I give a future to my girls? I am spending all my money on surviving