August 12, 2022
Africa: Expanded Access to Solar Power in Africa Can Stimulate Economic Development - but There Are Risks
UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 aspires to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. But in Africa, around 600 million people continue… Read more »
August 10, 2022
Africa: Corporations Want to Profit From the World's Problems - They Can Solve Them Instead
There's a good chance that you would like to see COVID disappear for good. And you may also wish for an end to the war in Ukraine - or any other war for that matter. Read more »
South Africa: Higher Electricity Connection Fees? A Good, and Necessary, Next Step
There's been outrage from some quarters in South Africa about reports that the power utility Eskom and some municipalities intend to increase the connection fee for electricity… Read more »
South Africa: South Africa's Proposed Electricity Industry Reform - Lost in Translation?
South Africa's ruling party recently proposed establishing a second state-owned power company. The purpose is to offset the "grave strategic risk" of relying on Eskom, the… Read more »
Africa: When the IMF Comes to Town - Why They Visit and What to Watch Out For
In most rich countries the news that a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is coming to visit is met with indifference. But, in most African countries the news can… Read more »
Africa: What's Wrong With the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The "Fourth Industrial Revolution" is a term coined in 2016 by German economist Klaus Schwab. It's used to describe the technology revolution that the world is going through. But… Read more »
August 08, 2022
Africa: Sex Work Is Real Work - Global Covid-19 Recovery Needs to Include Sex Workers
During the pandemic, business shifted from in person to work-from-home, which quickly became the new normal. However, it left many workers high and dry, especially those with less… Read more »
August 09, 2022
Angola: How Not to Respond to Drought - Lessons From Angola
Three years after a severe drought in southwestern Angola, people in the area continue to suffer. Hunger remains pervasive and they are still losing livestock. Read more »
Mozambique: Unions Hit Snooze On a National Strike - Why It's a Bad Thing for Workers
The surge in food and fuel prices has led to calls for national shutdowns across southern Africa. In Mozambique, trade unions issued a statement denouncing the rising cost of… Read more »
August 05, 2022
Africa: The U.S. Is Revisiting Its Trade Relations With Africa - Key Issues On the Table
Last year, the US's Biden administration announced plans to increase two-way trade and investment between the US and Africa. The starting point was a revamp of the Trump-era… Read more »
August 04, 2022
Africa: China Has a New Global Development Initiative, But Who Will Actually Benefit From It?
China's well-publicized Belt and Road Initiative to invest in infrastructure projects in other countries has helped it expand its political influence around the world. But a newer,… Read more »
South Africa: Why 'Political Will' Isn't the Magic Bullet That Can Fix Country's Energy Crisis
South Africans gave a warm welcome to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement about a "set of actions" to respond to the energy crisis in the country. Read more »
August 03, 2022
South Africa: Country Needs Stronger Security to Stop the Sabotage of Its Power Supply
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently outlined plans to solve the country's devastating electricity supply crisis. But he didn't mention the country's ability to protect… Read more »
South Africa: Artisanal Gold Mining Is Out of Control. Mistakes That Got It Here
Illegal and unregulated artisanal gold mining on the Witwatersrand Basin, located south of South Africa's Gauteng province, is an increasing threat to community, industrial and… Read more »
August 02, 2022
Ghana: On Ghana's Roads in 2022 - Safety Has Improved but Private Vehicles Are Still a Menace
Africa is the globe's least motorised region, accounting for just 2% of the world's vehicles. Yet it records the highest rate of road deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO)… Read more »
August 01, 2022
Nigeria: Ride-Hailing in Lagos - Algorithmic Impacts and Driver Resistance
In July 2014, the ride-hailing app Uber emerged in Lagos, offering the public improved mobility through technology. Uber, at the time, was valued at US$18 billion and had launched… Read more »
July 29, 2022
South Africa: Ramaphosa Acts to Ease South Africa's Energy Crisis - Impact Will Be Felt in Renewables
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced an action plan to address the country's growing energy crisis. It included relaxing the legislative and environmental… Read more »
July 28, 2022
South Africa: Oil Refinery Closures, Cleaner Fuels and Security of Supply in South Africa
While South Africa has been preoccupied with rolling electricity blackouts, security of liquid fuels supply has been overlooked even though - by my calculations - by value of sales… Read more »
August 01, 2022
Burundi: Burundi At 60 Is the Poorest Country On the Planet - A Look At What Went Wrong
Burundi, which marked 60 years of independence on 1 July 2022, ranks as the poorest country on the planet in terms of GDP per capita. This must be understood in the light of a… Read more »
July 28, 2022
Africa: Women Entrepreneurs in Africa Face More Climate Risks Than Their Male Peers
The world's climate is changing. All of us will ultimately be affected by climatic shifts - but some will be hit harder than others. Read more »
July 21, 2022
Congo-Kinshasa: Congo Peat Swamps Store Three Years of Global Carbon Emissions - Imminent Oil Drilling Could Release It
Democratic Republic of the Congo's government is preparing to auction off a series of licenses to drill for oil in the Congo basin. This threatens to damage around 11 million… Read more »
July 27, 2022
Ghana: How Costly Political Realities Undercut Electricity Reforms
Ghana reformed its electricity sector by the book but has lurched from blackouts between 2012 and 2015 to a glut of energy which costs government about 5% of GDP. Fitch ranks the… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Inflation Is Spiking (Again). Why High Interest Rates Aren't the Answer
The central bank of Zimbabwe has raised its benchmark rate from 80% to a fresh record of 200%. This increase comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine is driving global commodity… Read more »
July 26, 2022
Nigeria: Facial Injuries Hurt Nigerians' Pockets Too - How to Reduce the Burden
Injury to the face - from road traffic accidents, for example - can leave a person with a damaged appearance or functional impairment, like difficulty chewing. Treatment helps to… Read more »
July 25, 2022
Africa: Free Trade Area Offers Promise for Cities - But Only If There's Investment
The African Continental Free Trade Area came into operation on 1 January 2021. This is a considerable achievement. The free trade area is now the world's single largest market for… Read more »