July 31, 2023
Nigeria: Kole Omotoso, the Nigerian Writer, Scholar and Actor Who Inspired a Continent
Bankole Ajibabi Omotoso, better known as Kole Omotoso, the Nigerian novelist, playwright, journalist, scholar and actor, died on 19 July 2023. His son Akin Omotoso, a filmmaker,… Read more »
Niger: What Caused the Coup in Niger? an Expert Outlines Three Driving Factors
At an emergency meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on 30 July, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the "immediate release and reinstatement" of Niger's elected… Read more »
July 29, 2023
West Africa: Military Takeover Is a Setback for Democracy and U.S. Interests in West Africa
The West African nation Niger is under military rule following a coup in which President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and held captive by members of his own guard. Read more »
July 30, 2023
Cameroon: What Citizens Say About Ending Six Years of Anglophone Conflict
The armed conflict in Cameroon between separatist groups and the military is in its sixth year. Armed groups are fighting for secession of the English-speaking north-west and… Read more »
July 27, 2023
Nigeria: Pesticides Are Harming Nigeria - It's Time to Update the Law
The European Union has banned the use of several pesticides, and heavily restricted others. This is because of their potential health effects or environmental contamination, or… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Mali: Mali Crisis - UN Peacekeepers Are Leaving After 10 Years - What's Needed for a Smooth Transition
The UN Security Council voted on 30 June 2023 to end its peacekeeping mission in Mali, Minusma, after Mali officially requested its complete withdrawal. Over 11,000 military… Read more »
Ghana: Pedestrians in Ghana Are Risking Their Lives - We Studied What's Distracting Them While Walking
Walking has health and environmental benefits - but it's not always a person's choice for getting around. And it does come with hazards. One fifth of the people killed on the roads… Read more »
July 24, 2023
Nigeria: Nigeria's Food Insecurity - Declaring a State of Emergency Isn't a Real Solution - Here's What Is
Nigerians doing their grocery shopping in July 2023 are paying 25% more for staple items than they did a year ago. Read more »
July 19, 2023
West Africa: Bola Tinubu Is the New Chair of Ecowas - the Burning Issues That Face the Nigerian President
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 9 July 2023. He took over from President Umaro Sissoco… Read more »
July 20, 2023
Nigeria: Nigeria's New Police Chief Faces Structural Challenges - 5 Key Issues to Tackle
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu named a new inspector general of police on 19 June 2023. He appointed the deputy inspector general, Kayode Egbetokun, to replace Usman Alkali Baba,… Read more »
July 19, 2023
Nigeria: eNaira - Nigeria's Digital Currency Has Had a Slow Start - What's Holding It Back
Nigeria was the first country in Africa to roll out a central bank digital currency. The eNaira was launched in October 2021. Read more »
July 18, 2023
Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia Could Cause Upsets at Women's World Cup Football
Morocco and Zambia are making their Fifa Women's World Cup debut in 2023. South Africa must recover their morale after a pay dispute and Nigeria once again leads the charge for the… Read more »
July 17, 2023
Nigeria: They Eat Our Sweat - New Book Exposes Daily Struggles of Transport Workers in Lagos
Daniel E. Agbiboa's book They Eat Our Sweat: Transport Labor, Corruption, and Everyday Survival in Urban Nigeria explores the world of drivers of minibuses (danfo) and motorcycles… Read more »
Ghana: It's Time for Ghana to Enshrine Its Respect for the Right to Life - By Abolishing the Death Penalty
Thirty years have now gone by since Ghana used its gallows, a fact that indicates the country's respect for human life. It also means that Ghana is one of about 42 nations - many… Read more »
Mali: UN Troops to Withdraw From Mali - What Will Change in Terms of Security
On 30 June 2023, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to end the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma). Read more »
June 21, 2023
Ghana: Ama Ata Aidoo - The Pioneering Writer Left Behind a String of Feminist Classics
Prolific author and former Ghanaian education minister Ama Ata Aidoo passed away on 31 May 2023 at the age of 81. News of her death reverberated around… Read more »
July 13, 2023
West Africa: Fermented Food Is a Staple in West Africa - 5 Ways to Make Sure It's Safe for Eating
A typical west African menu is not complete without a fermented food or drink. These are foods that have been transformed by natural processes involving "friendly" microorganisms… Read more »
July 12, 2023
Cote d'Ivoire: Côte d'Ivoire Is Launching Its First Satellite for Earth Observation - and It's Locally Made
Côte d'Ivoire has announced plans to launch its first satellite within the next two years. A team of scientists in the fields of astrophysics and geology tell The… Read more »
July 11, 2023
Ghana: Ghana's Population Is Young and Rapidly Urbanising - Policies Need to Match the Data
Ghana's population has reached 30.8 million according to the 2021 population census. This is a 6.1 million increase from the 24.7 million recorded in 2010. Understanding population… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria's Growing Population Can Be an Advantage, With Better Data and a Policy Focus On Young People
Nigeria's population is currently estimated at over 222 million, with the median age - the age at the midpoint of the population - 18.1 years. This poses challenges and… Read more »
July 10, 2023
Nigeria: Nearly a Third of Nigerians Don't Have Access to a Basic Supply of Water
Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities are essential for health and welfare. Providing them is one of the core duties of the state. Read more »
July 06, 2023
Ghana: Ghana's New Chief Justice - Gertrude Tokornoo Faces Challenges, but Could Help Transform the Country's Courts
Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo took office as the 15th ,chief justice of Ghana on 12 June 2023. She is the third woman to occupy the position, which is the… Read more »
July 05, 2023
Mozambique: Mozambican Terror Group Is Strikingly Similar to Nigeria's Deadly Boko Haram
Terrorism is a global problem affecting many countries. Until 2017, however, southern Africa was largely spared from this phenomenon. The bloody conflict sparked by Ansar al-Sunna… Read more »
July 04, 2023
Cameroon: The Fascinating Cameroonian Art of Spider Divination Is On Display At London Exhibition
Tomás Saraceno In Collaboration: Web(s) of Life, which opened at London's Serpentine South Gallery in June, explores how humans relate to spiders. It features installations… Read more »
July 03, 2023
Senegal: Senegal - Behind the Protests Is a Fight for Democratic Freedoms
President Macky Sall's unwillingness to confirm he will not run for a third term in 2024, and the targeting of political opponents, have created a political powder keg in Senegal. Read more »