SciDev.Net: Sub-Saharan Africa

18/11/2024

By 2030, Africa will account for 53 per cent of the world’s population living in hunger, primarily due to climate change and worsening food shortages, the UN warns.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki investigates how scientists are tackling the region’s food crisis by exploring gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops, particularly wheat.

Cristobal Uauy, a project leader in crop genetics at the tells us how gene editing can be used to strengthen wheat’s resistance to diseases and increase its nutritional value.

Godwin Macharia, centre director for the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization ( ), says gene editing can improve yields amid a 16 per cent decline in wheat production between 2022 and 2023.

Anna Backhaus, a cereal pre-breeder at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas ( ), says gene editing requires robust policies to prevent exploitation.

And Richard Shaw, director of the UK-CGIAR Centre, stresses the importance of international collaboration among organisations and countries to advance gene editing.

Click the link in the bio to listen to the episode.

05/11/2024

In our latest podcast episode, we ask some African students to share their thoughts on scientific research.

Do you find it interesting or boring? Let’s know in the comment section.

The link to the podcast episode is in the bio.

08/10/2024

In our latest podcast episode, we hear from two Nigerian women, and as they share their experience navigating the technology space.

Click the link in the bio to listen to the rest of the episode highlighting the importance of empowering African women and girls in STEM.

03/10/2024

Underrepresentation of women in science and technology is limiting the continent’s access to different perspectives and innovation, educators in the sector tell Africa Science Focus.

Women account for only 20 per cent of women in science and engineering in Africa and 32 per cent of research and development scientists, according to research by the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki talks to women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) about how to break the barriers women and girls face.

He speaks with , educational expert and researcher at the Tai Solarin University of Education in Nigeria’s Ogun state, who says abstract teaching and a lack of female role models are among the problems.

Verdiana Masanja, mathematics professor at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania, pushes for more inclusive policies in STEM education.

, a social entrepreneur and creator of the , a foundation that equips young African women with digital skills, wants to see more support for women in the workforce.

To listen to this episode, click the link in the bio.

19/08/2024

, a Kenyan biotechnologist, highlights the significance of indigenous knowledge and the need for young people to more involved in local science.

To find out more on the usefulness of indigenous science communication, tune into the podcast episode. The link is in the bio.

15/08/2024

In promoting indigenous science communication, local languages must play a significant role.

, a US-based Nigerian culture researcher explains what must be done to embrace local languages in our latest podcast episode.

The link to this episode in the bio.

13/08/2024

In a continent with so many different cultures and traditions, indigenous knowledge has enormous potential to inform and strengthen scientific research. However, the legacy of colonialism has pushed African indigenous science knowledge to the fringes.

In this episode of African Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with African scientists and researchers about the importance of incorporating local knowledge in science communication.

Ayodele Ibiyemi, a US-based Nigerian culture researcher, notes that while colonial systems affected Africa’s culture and displaced its science knowledge, the continent is taking steps to regain its identity.

Kenneth Monjero, a Kenyan biotechnologist, highlights a critical disconnect between young people and their indigenous science.

To bridge this gap, Temilade Sesan, a Nigerian social development researcher, proposes a fundamental shift in education that reflects local realities including teaching STEM subjects in local languages.

30/07/2024

25/07/2024

Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant food security challenges, exacerbated by climate change and conflict.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we explore the potential of hydroponic farming. This type of farming uses nutrient-rich solutions instead of soil—allowing for controlled and sustainable food production.

Our reporter, Abdulkareem Mojeed, speaks to farmers and researchers who share their experiences and insights on harnessing hydroponics to improve crop yields.

Adeniyi Olayanju, a Nigerian professor of sustainable agricultural mechanisation, says hydroponic farming can mitigate the effects of herder invasions.

Earnest Larmie, a Ghanaian farmer, says the climate-smart method enables him to farm all year round, despite weather fluctuations.

Nigerian farmer Modupe Olafusi explains how she uses fish water as compost for her hydroponic farming system.

23/07/2024

Do you have reservations about eating genetically modified crops?

Vote 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

23/07/2024

In our latest podcast episode, we hear from two Nigerian farmers eho shared different perspectives on Genetically modified crops.

To listen, click on the link in the bio.

20/07/2024

The Nigerian government’s approval earlier this year of transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties, also known as TELA maize, has sparked intense debate among farmers, scientists, and the general public.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Jayne Augoye hears out the diverse perspectives on the introduction of TELA maize, a genetically modified (GM) crop, which proponents say will contribute to food and nutrition security.

Samuel Agele, professor and researcher in plant ecophysiology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, emphasised the need for public education and the regulation of genetically modified crops in Nigeria, amid concerns over possible health and environmental impacts.

Ijeoma Akaogu, a plant breeder and geneticist and programme officer at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation – implementing partner of the TELA maize project in Nigeria – says the engineered crops have increased resistance to pests and diseases.

However, farmers Anthony Musa and Olusola Sowemimo have differing views on the benefits of GM crops.

To listen to the episode, click the link in the bio.

15/07/2024

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, our reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with African scientists who discuss the important role citizen science plays in scientific research.

Peter Elias, a geography professor in Nigeria, says communities use storytelling and folklore to document their experiences, providing valuable supplementary knowledge to scientific research.

Jaqueline Goldin, a professor of anthropology in South Africa, says a major challenge she faced in her citizen science project was gaining the trust of farmers, but she successfully addressed this by using social dialogue and partnering with education authorities.

And Doris Wangari, senior program officer at the Science for Africa Foundation, says her team engages citizens in reviewing proposals for innovative products that benefit the community.

09/07/2024

As a woman would you consider using a va**nal ring to prevent getting HIV?

Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out more about the HIV va**na ring, by clicking the ring in the bio.

01/07/2024

The dapivirine va**nal ring holds promise in the fight against HIV. But for the young women in Africa who need it most, access remains a major challenge.

Women aged 15 to 24 are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV infection due to a complex web of factors, including social, cultural, and economic forces.

The silicone ring reduces their risk of infection by continually releasing the antiretroviral dapivirine into the va**na.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Bunmi Yekini looks at issues such as access to the ring and the impact the ring has in countries that have approved its use.

Akhona Gxarisa, a research participant in the dapivirine study in South Africa, shares her experience of using the ring with her partner and advocates for greater availability of the product.

Patriciah Jeckonia, programme manager, policy and partnerships, at LVCT health, a non-governmental organisation in Kenya, says that the ring presents “an opportunity for women to prevent HIV and choose what works for them when they are at risk”.

In South Africa, the HIV prevention project FastPrEP is raising awareness of prevention methods among South African youths. Marketing and communications coordinator Mbali Jonas explains how this is being done, using mobile clinics and courier services.

Nigeria is one country that is yet to introduce the ring. Oliver Ezechi, director of research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and professor of maternal, reproductive and child health at Lead City University, in Nigeria, explains why.

The link to the podcast episode is in the bio.

27/06/2024

Why is science advice beneficial in policy making?

Dr Uzma Alam, Program Lead, Science policy engagement at answered this question in our latest podcast episode.

Click the link in the bio to listen.

25/06/2024

Some studies indicate that there’s a distant relationship between policymakers and scientists. Why is this so?

Dr Mlungisi Cele, the chair National Advisory Council, South Africa explains in our latest podcast episode.

Click the link in the bio to listen

24/06/2024

Effective policymaking in Africa requires collaboration between scientists and policymakers. But, despite the potential for science to drive sustainable development, the relationship between these two groups can be underwhelming.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, some scientists, Dr. Uzma Alam, program lead at the Science for Africa Foundation and Dr. Shaheen Motala-Timol, chair of the African Chapter of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice, Adeline Cyuzuzo, an environmentalist at The Green Protector and Dr Mlungisi Cele, the chair National Advisory Council, South Africa.

They highlight the need for scientists and policymakers to work together to create evidence-based policies to solve problems and share successful examples of scientific advisory.

Click the link in the bio to listen to the podcast