National electoral commissions are crucial in shaping public perceptions of how well democracy is working. Poor electoral management can enable fraud and produce political alienation.
The threat of chemical weapon attacks is on the rise globally.
Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino
Scott Firsing, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Governments often have limited knowledge of chemical production as it is the preserve of the private sector. Often these facilities are not as well secured as government facilities.
A woman in northern Ethiopia feeds her chickens. Bill Gates has estimated that a farmer breeding five hens could generate up to $1,000 a year.
Flickr/Jeannie O'Brien
Frederick Baijukya, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Fred Kanampiu, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Increasing legume production can turn the tide for African farmers who struggle with poor soils, declining farm yields and worsening nutrition in one fell swoop
A decision by South African hotel and casino group, Sun International to pull out of Nigeria raises many questions about the conditions of doing business in the second largest economy in Africa.
The Rotavirus vaccine is expensive and takes a long time to manufacture.
Flickr
Rotavirus vaccines are expensive and take time to produce. For developing countries, the fact that the vaccines need cold storage also presents a challenge.
A boy in Pakistan receives oral polio vaccine in July.
REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
Polio for years has been close to becoming eradicated, with the entire continent of Africa going two years without a reported case – until early August. Here’s why eradication is hard but attainable.
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages.
Reuter/Akintunde Akinleye
Ethnic divisions persist in countries like Nigeria not because the ‘cultures’ of those countries are predisposed to ethnic strife, but as a result of a weak state.
Donatien Beguy, African Population and Health Research Center
The truth is that data in Africa are not produced on time, not frequently enough, are of poor quality and aren’t accurate. This makes it difficult to make data driven decisions.
Kenyan youth chant in celebration before the arrival of Pope Francis at the Kasarani stadium in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
The African Union has identified youth as critical for development. But, a new survey reveals a wide gap between these aspirations and the reality of youth public engagement on the continent.
South Africa has claimed back its status of the largest economy in Africa, toppling Nigeria, due to the appreciation of the rand. What’s prompted the movement?
A pastoralist refugee in Cameroon.
Mouadjamou Ahmadou
The marked increase in the number of Nigerian pastoralists fleeing Boko Haram terror in northeastern Nigeria last year reflects a trend that started three years ago.
Those living through the first Renaissance recognised that their age offered blinding possibilities, but that any gains would have to be achieved amid relentless shocks. The same is true today.
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The first Renaissance struggled with the same doubts and uncertainties and blinding possibilities that we face today. Any gains we make will have to be achieved amid relentless shocks.
Policewomen lock hands during a protest march in Nigeria.Collaboration between police and communities is helping improve safety in parts of the country.
Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde
A new study shows an amazingly symbiotic relationship between the community and police in Nigeria: 70% of survey respondents claim that collaboration has brought safety to their communities.
Internet scamming is proving to be an attractive career to a considerable number of Nigerian students.
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The numerical basis used to study African economies suffers from major knowledge gaps. This needs to improve if numbers are to inform policies that will encourage growth and push back poverty.