COVID-19: Up to 49.2 million Africans could become extremely poor by 2021, says report

More than half of Africa least prepared to deal with pandemic according to African Economic Outlook 2020 Supplement

Africa is being courted by China, Russia and the US. Why the continent shouldn’t pick sides

World order is undergoing a structural transformation and the continent is an obvious contender for major power courting 

Kenyan green court dismisses lawsuit challenging government decision to allow import of GM crops

Ruling likely to have far-reaching ramifications, including informing policy across the East and Central Africa region

African countries differ widely in prenatal HIV testing: why it matters

Closing the gaps in coverage of HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa will require, among other things, a massive investment in health systems in …

COVID-19: Zimbabwe staring at ‘massive health crisis’

Southern African country does not have enough medical personnel; those trained are on strike

Just 4 doses of pain relievers available daily per million people in west, central Africa: UN

This means that people with severe pain, especially the terminally ill are most-affected in these regions

Food insecurity in southern Africa up 10%: Report

The region also faces the triple burden of malnutrition

Nigeria risks losing all its forest elephants – what we found when we went looking for them

Habitat fragmentation, forest degradation, illegal hunting, genetic isolation and human-elephant conflict means the future of these elephants is …

South Africa’s drinking water quality is declining since 2014 — nearly half of it is unsafe to drink

Of total 958 water supply systems in the country, 29% were in a critical state  

Unrest is being used to subvert South Africa’s democracy: giving in is not an option

African states need a vision for relations with the Indo-Pacific

The year ahead offers an excellent opportunity for states such as South Africa to develop its approach to the Indo-Pacific

South African study gives insights into sexual health needs of people with disabilities

Many people without disabilities hold problematic attitudes towards the sexuality of people with physical disabilities, a study showed

Higher quality seeds can help beat Africa’s ‘hunger pandemic’

One useful intervention would be to organise farming communities — or seed producer groups — into business entities

Basic water services in South Africa are in decay after years of progress

In South Africa, the right to water is enshrined in the constitution

Locust invasion: FAO seeks $138 million for Africa — double of what it sought in January

Swarms present in 9 east African countries; unseasonal rain adds to worry

After 3 years of drought, Greater Horn of Africa to get early, heavy rains, courtesy El Nino

The forecast is reason for both cheer and concern in the region

How COVID-19 is affecting school attendance in South Africa: piecing together the puzzle

What needs to be done by researchers and those who frame policy 

Malaria elimination: South Africa needs to regroup and refocus to get there

For the second time in a decade, South Africa is set to miss its malaria-elimination target

Wins, missteps and lessons: African experts reflect on 2 years of COVID-19 response

Health workforce in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, has to be seen as critical to national development, say experts

Nanosatellite launch is a big step forward for African space science

The MDASat nanosatellite constellation is designed to collect data that will enhance the security and protection of South African marine resources

Small towns are collapsing across South Africa. How it’s starting to affect farming

There is growing evidence that governance and service delivery failures are affecting functioning and efficiencies of farming and agribusinesses …

Guinea declares Ebola outbreak after 3 deaths

Four more infected; the epidemic first began in 2013 in Guinea and left more than 11,300 dead across the region

Kenya responded fast to Ebola scare, but cross-border risk remains high

Given that Kenya shares a porous border with Uganda – and is a busy international travel hub – is Kenya ready to handle an outbreak?

How Rwanda is managing its COVID-19 vaccination rollout plans

It’s been over a year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. In an amazing feat of science and technology, a number of safe and effective …

Coup in Gabon: Ali Bongo the eighth west African leader to be ousted by military in two years

The coup appears to have brought an end to Bongo family’s 55-year hold on power in the country