Africa Science Focus

[SciDev.Net] Millions of people parts of Africa are facing record levels of hunger, the UN World Food Programme has warned. 

Yet at the same time, the region is rapidly losing forests, one of its most valuable food sources.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the rate of forest loss in Africa has been increasing steadily over the last three decades, with 3.94 million hectares lost between 2010 and 2020. 

These forests ...

Africa's space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent’s development issues.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how space research and innovation are being used across the continent.

Mary Makuate, a researcher at Cameroon’s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovatio...

Africa’s oceans are vital for economic growth, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods. But the costs of plastic pollution in our seas are mounting.

The World Bank puts the cost of the damage caused by marine plastic pollution at up to US$33,000 per tonne of plastic waste, in West Africa alone. 

As pollution worsens, researchers say stronger policies, community engagement, and scientific collaboration can protect marin...

Africa’s healthcare systems face major challenges, from workforce shortages to gaps in infrastructure. 

In the latest episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with AI experts about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving change across the continent.

Charles Waka explains how AI is optimising maternal and neonatal healthcare, improving outcomes for mothers and newborns. 

Ndisha Mwakala, a former health inform...

Language plays a crucial role in education, shaping how students learn and connect with the world.

Yet, according to UNESCO, 40 per cent of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand.

This gap presents a significant barrier to effective learning, particularly in science education, where technical terms and complex concepts are often difficult to understand in unfamiliar la...

Globally, women account for just 30 per cent of science professionals and this underrepresentation persists across Africa. 

In this final podcast episode of 2024, Africa Science Focus speaks to two African women who have overcome entrenched gender barriers to forge successful careers in science and technology and we learn about their contributions to advancing science in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Martha Alade tells reporter Jayne Augoye ho...

Science is fun! That’s the message from science communicators who are undertaking the critical task of engaging the researchers, mathematicians and engineers of tomorrow.

A 2024 UNESCO report showed that fewer than 25 per cent of students in Sub-Saharan Africa pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This lack of participation has profound implications for the region's technological and econo...

By 2030, Africa will account for 53 per cent of the world's population living in hunger, primarily due to climate change and worsening food shortages, the UN warns.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki investigates how scientists are tackling the region’s food crisis by exploring gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops, particularly wheat. 

Cristobal Uauy, a project leader in crop genetic...

By communicating their research, scientists can influence policy and drive meaningful change in society.

Findings from scientific research have the power to address pressing challenges in society, from climate change to disease outbreaks.

But what happens when important discoveries from these studies are left to gather dust in libraries or academic journals?

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki s...

Systemic barriers and poor support structures are stifling the progress of women in STEM

Underrepresentation of women in science and technology is limiting the continent's access to different perspectives and innovation, educators in the sector tell Africa Science Focus.

Women account for only 20 per cent of women in science and engineering in Africa and 32 per cent of research and development scientists, according to ...

Africa's indigenous knowledge holds untapped potential for scientific innovation.

In a continent with so many different cultures and traditions, indigenous knowledge has enormous potential to inform and strengthen scientific research. However, the legacy of colonialism has pushed African indigenous science knowledge to the fringes.

In this episode of African Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with African sc...

Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant food security challenges, exacerbated by climate change and conflict.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we explore the potential of hydroponic farming. This type of farming uses nutrient-rich solutions instead of soil—allowing for controlled and sustainable food production.

Our reporter, Abdulkareem Mojeed, speaks to farmers and researchers who share their experiences and insights on harnes...

The Nigerian government's approval earlier this year of transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties, also known as TELA maize, has sparked intense debate among farmers, scientists, and the general public.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Jayne Augoye hears out the diverse perspectives on the introduction of TELA maize, a genetically modified (GM) crop, which proponents say will contribute t...

Citizen science educates the public about science and enhances research for evidence-driven policies

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, our reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with African scientists who discuss the important role citizen science plays in scientific research. 

Peter Elias, a geography professor in Nigeria, says communities use storytelling and folklore to document their experiences, providing valuable supplementary ...

The dapivirine vaginal ring holds promise in the fight against HIV. But for the young women in Africa who need it most, access remains a major challenge. 

 Women aged 15 to 24 are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV infection due to a complex web of factors, including social, cultural, and economic forces.

 The silicone ring reduces their risk of infection by continually releasing the antiretroviral dapivirine into the vagina.

 In th...

Effective policymaking in Africa requires collaboration between scientists and policymakers. But, despite the potential for science to drive sustainable development, the relationship between these two groups can be underwhelming.  

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, scientists highlight the need for scientists and policymakers to work together to create evidence-based policies to solve problems and share successful examples of...

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, our reporters Ogechi Ekeanyanwu and Titilope Fadare speak to researchers who highlight Nigeria's energy access challenges and the potential of mini grids to address them.

Temilade Sesan, energy researcher and consultant, and Ewah Ileri, executive director of the International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development, a Nigerian think tank, explain what mini grids are and discuss wa...

Poor road networks in Africa make it difficult to transport medical supplies and samples to remote communities, hindering access to healthcare. 

 In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Halima Athumani explores how drone technology can bridge this gap and serve the so-called “last mile”.

 She speaks with leaders of two drone companies, Kenya Flying Labs and VillageReach, about their efforts to enhance Africa's health i...

After Africa achieved wild poliovirus-free status in 2020, the region faced a setback with outbreaks recurring in Mozambique and Malawi in 2022.

However, a swift global response by countries and health organisations, including large-scale vaccination campaigns reaching 50 million children across five nations, culminated in a recommendation this month by the independent Poliovirus Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) to dec...