Opinions

Despite the compelling narrative about African women becoming titans of industry, sexism and inequality make scaling up impossible for many entrepreneurs   Africa is building up a glowing reputation as the global leader in female entrepreneurship. Last year, MasterCard released its celebratory Index of Women Entrepreneurs to much fanfare. Uganda and Botswana…

  The rainy season is already here with us and most farmers have begun to plant various seeds nearly across Africa. As the farmers descend upon their farms, one big issue that lingers among researchers is the inability of these farmers to access certified seed that can serve their immediate…

Women’s economic empowerment is experiencing a resurgence of attention. This is inspired by Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), which lays out goals for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and is mirrored by the International Women’s Day 2018 campaign theme #PressforProgress, dedicated to the achievement of gender parity around the world. Most…

The Board of Directors of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation said it was difficult to choose a single recipient in its global competition for a $100 million grant that promises a bold solution to a critical problem of our time. I can see why. Ultimately, MacArthur awarded Sesame…

Rwanda is often touted as an example of what African states could achieve if only they were better governed. Out of the ashes of a horrific genocide, President Paul Kagame has resuscitated the economy, curtailed corruption and maintained political stability. This is a record that many other leaders can only dream of,…

A health toolbox which aims to connect African journalists to researchers, including the wider science journalism community, fast and on demand, is now available     Partners in the project have embarked on developing a database of health journalists, experts and communication officers working in health research institutions who will act…

The news emerging from Hamburg were dominated by the narrative of the emerging 19 +1 on issues such as climate change or trade protectionism. Yvanka Trump replacing her father in the US seat was a particularly juicy bit, with few realizing that happened when the leaders were discussing Africa. Street…

Estimated at almost $2tn in 2015, Islamic finance is often overlooked by development organisations as a potential source of funds A student reads the Qur’an at the Al-Ashriyyah Nurul Iman Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country. Photograph: Tatan Syuflana/AP   Usman, a fisherman in North Sumatra, used…

The broader context of the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad region, particularly in Borno State in the northeast of Nigeria, remains largely unknown to a Western audience, and in the media coverage it is mostly the stories about Boko Haram’s atrocities that are being told.   Fleeing the Boko…

  In accelerating the implementation of these commitments, young people need to engage the leadership of the African Union commission (AUC), national governments, and policymaking institutions on how to harness the demographic dividend, which is crucial for the attainment of both the Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals…