Latest News
UN backs African-led campaign to change how the world is mapped
An African-led campaign to correct the way Africa is represented on world maps has won UN backing, with 164 countries supporting a Togo-sponsored resolution encouraging more accurate map projections.
Africa’s factories are becoming their own power stations
Textile plants, mines and export zones are building their own electricity systems, creating a growing role for independent producers as African factories seek to avoid disruptions that can throttle production.
The Rwandan filmmaker making space behind the camera
Africa’s film industry is expanding opportunities for women to work behind the camera. As Rwandan Nailla Simbi transitions from editing to directing, she carves out a spot in the technical side of filmmaking.
African conservationists turn to wildlife censuses to track changing populations
African conservationists are conducting new and repeat wildlife censuses to track population changes across landscapes and national borders. The surveys are generating data on numbers, movements and habitat pressures that can guide conservation planning and wildlife management.
Rwandan innovator builds smart insole to stop amputations
After witnessing patients lose limbs to diabetes, a Rwandan prosthetist developed a smart insole that detects foot problems before they worsen.
Loza Maléombho is building an industry from African stories
Internationally recognised after Beyoncé wore her designs, Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho is now looking beyond fashion. Through Pokou, she is combining Baoulé history, local craftsmanship and artificial intelligence to build an African-owned creative universe spanning clothing, film, art, architecture and digital experiences.
African pharma are building an homegrown response to sickle cell disease
Africa is beginning to build more of its own response to sickle cell disease, linking local research and clinical expertise with pharmaceutical manufacturing. As WHO pushes for wider access to hydroxyurea, emerging production in Senegal and Nigeria points to a shift towards making and supplying treatments on the continent.
Garoua textile centre takes early steps to empower young women
A new training centre in Garoua is teaching young women to turn locally grown cotton thread into finished fabric. Still operating on a modest scale, Gaaraadji is creating incomes, developing scarce textile skills and showing how Cameroon could process more of one of its most important crops at home.
East Africa is building competing energy hubs as refineries reshape the region’s oil trade
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are building competing petroleum hubs as billions of dollars flow into refineries, pipelines, storage and ports. With Rwanda also considering an investment in Lamu, the emerging network could reshape who controls the infrastructure connecting East Africa’s oil and fuel markets.
Ethiopia connects climate solutions from field to factory
As rainfall becomes less predictable, researchers are developing improved seed, testing more efficient irrigation and using digital tools to track water losses. Getting these solutions to farmers could protect harvests and provide Ethiopia’s textile factories with more locally grown fibre.