Opinions

 “The most beautiful fig may contain a worm” – this African proverb calls us to question what we have always believed to be good. From the savannas of southern Africa; to the mountains of East Africa; to the forests of central Africa; to the coastlines of West Africa and the…

The term ‘Islamic Social Finance’ refers to modes of finance that are rooted in Islamic ethics and intended for social benefit. These include Zakat (almsgiving), Waqf (endowments), Sadaqa (charity) as well as Qard Hasan (interest-free loans). When one defines ‘Islamic finance’, it is vitally important that Islamic social finance be…

“The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people”, this African proverb speaks of the power of a people to make or break themselves, their countries and the globe. And so, it is with Africa. The success or failure of Africa rests squarely on the shoulders of…

According to the Global Risks Report of the Word Economic Forum 2018, water crises are among the five crises that will have the largest impact in the next decade. There are currently 4 billion people living under conditions of severe water scarcity for at least one month per year.  …

Climate Change is undeniable, the science is beyond doubt; it is time to get off the path of suicidal emissions. All of us – governments, businesses, and citizens – will have to make amends. In other terms, we will have to be the change we desire.  This is mandatory for…

“On World Environment Day, the message is simple: reject the single-use plastic. Refuse what you can`t reuse. Together, we can chart a path to a cleaner, greener world” – UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.   As the world’s population continues to grow, the amount of waste and garbage being produced…

The trees are a scientific wonder, once capable of living for thousands of years, but now becoming endangered species Morondava in Madagascar, the skyline in Senegal and Kruger national park all have something in common. These places are home to some of the largest trees in the world – baobabs, known…

Would white women in the US have supported #MeToo in the same way if it had been started by women elsewhere in the world?     When #MeToo first broke on Twitter in October 2017, it focused on workplace sexual harassment in the United States, particularly against white women in…

NTDs affect about 1.5 billion people. Digital technology could turbo-boost progress in combating them. Fabiano grew up close to a fast-flowing river that irrigates the land in Uganda’s Nebbi District. Over the years as he farmed, he was repeatedly bitten by black flies that breed along the river banks. The bites caused constant itching.…

Over 8 million tons of plastic pollute the oceans each year. The problem is so severe that, if nothing changes, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. We must urgently rethink how we make and use this ubiquitous material, now a staple of our modern…