Anti-corruption stance of Nigeria’s president-elect causes regional ripple effect
Corruption has long been regarded as a crime against development, and rightly so. Sub-Saharan African nations are overly represented among the worst affected. In Nigeria, rich oil reserves and prolonged armed conflicts have made the country a hotbed for corruption. This week’s pledge by Read More...
US solar firms invest to power more than 200.000 homes in rural Kenya
Decentralized solar holds huge potential to meet electricity demand in regions of the world where no centralized power grid is available. California-based Powerhive and First Solar plan to reach more than 200,000 homes and businesses with solar-powered micro-grids. The project will address some Read More...
African entrepreneurship is on the rise, attracting foreign investors
It’s time Africa be widely known for more than poverty, corruption and violence. Nigeria and Kenya are leading innovation hubs in the region, with a roster of startups and investments to match. This emerging market is ripe with opportunities for discerning investors—read more for some Read More...
Homegrown low-emission and electric car projects sprout in Africa
Is the eco-friendly car the future of transportation in Africa? Engineering students and innovators in Nigeria, Ghana, Lagos and Uganda have recently come up with prototypes of zero-emission or low-emission vehicles. The Abucar II, a highly fuel-efficient vehicle which was built over five months in Read More...
Majoring in peace
For years, unrest has raged in the Karamoja region of Uganda, on the Kenyan border. Livestock theft is a frequent cause. The emerging arms trade is causing an uptick in violence. Efforts by the Ugandan army to rid the area of weapons are proving counterproductive: Soldiers’ use of violent tactics Read More...
Hand-held eye exam
Finding an optician on the plains of the Serengeti is a daunting task, but researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have come up with a way to turn anyone into an impromptu eye-doctor. A smartphone application called Peek, Portable Eye Examination Kit, utilizes the Read More...
Growing agricultural investment
Photo: Africa Renewal Since little commercial lending goes to agriculture, the African continent is unable to feed its malnourished population of 200 million. Agricultural investment is seen as a risk, mostly due to the lack of data lenders have to work with when weighing the risks and benefits. Read More...
With a little help from our friends...
Wondering if you can make a difference? Read on. Turk Pipkin | September 2010 issue With bad news all around, it’s hard to be optimistic about the world our kids will know. The problems are too big, we tell ourselves. What can I do? I’ve been asked that question again and again since my wife Read More...
Dr. Denis Mukwege provides hope to women in Congo
Playwright and female activist Eve Ensler nominates Dr. Denis Mukwege for his compassion and courage to protect and heal women in his native home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eve Ensler | Jan/Feb 2010 issue Compassionate. Tender. Humble. Graceful. Dr. Denis Mukwege is a brave Read More...
Vitamin Angels combats malnutrition with nutritional supplements
How giving every child basic nutrition may provide a starting point for tackling Africa's other challenges.. Reuben Kyama | Sept/Oct 2009 issue Touching down in Eldoret, a rural town about 185 miles (300 kilometers) from Nairobi near the Ugandan border in western Kenya, everything seemed Read More...