Africa battles with a dearth of data and seems unable to scale up health innovations. If these can be systematically addressed, the continent can take great strides towards better health for all.
When governments and students collide, university systems wobble.
Reuters
The politicisation of academia definitely contributes to a decline in academic standards. This is a situation South Africa must work hard to avoid. It can learn from others on the continent.
Participants in the Finote Hiwot project to end child, early and forced marriage in Ethiopia.
Department for International Development/Jessica Lea
A number of African states are taking positive steps to combat violence against girls and child marriage. But social and cultural barriers can nullify national laws and strategies.
Okri (left) and Liam Bell right)
University of Stirling/Jim Mailer
Many talented African footballers follow the exodus to Europe’s football leagues. But many are stuck in the lower leagues, without the glory and wealth they dream of.
President Buhari meets with a woman rescued from Boko Haram.
EPA
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) dan 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.