Africa Science Focus

[SciDev.Net] Millions of people parts of Africa are facing record levels of hunger, the UN World Food Programme [https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/05/1163086#:~:text=The%20UN%20World%20Food%20Programme%20%28WFP%29%20has%20warned,weather%20push%20the%20region%20towards%20a%20major%20crisis.] has warned.  Yet at the same time, the region is rapidly losing forests, one of its most valuable food sources. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the rate of forest loss in Africa has been increasing steadily over the last three decades, with 3.94 million hectares [https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/ef993dd8-75f3-45af-83b0-4dab1a4dbb7a/content] lost between 2010 and 2020.  These forests are not just biodiversity hotspots, they are vital to the survival of millions of people who rely on them for wild foods, medicine, fuel, and income. The result is a vicious cycle. As food insecurity grows, people turn to forests for survival, increasing deforestation. But as these forests disappear, so too does a critical safety net that could help communities cope with hunger and climate shocks. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki investigates why protecting forests is essential for food security across the continent. Laura Mukhwana, coordinator of the Global Landscapes Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, explains that forests play a direct role in local food systems.  She also warns that forest conservation won’t work without better communication between researchers and the communities who depend on these resources. Richard Sufo, a Cameroonian scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry, points to traditional agroforestry systems, where trees and crops grow together, as a powerful, homegrown solution. He says it is important to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science to protect forests and build resilient food systems. In Uganda, Joel Ngobi is putting these ideas into action. Through the School Food Forest Initiative, he combines indigenous knowledge with modern science to improve student nutrition and teach sustainable land management. His model empowers communities to grow their own food while conserving the land. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.  [https://www.scidev.net/global/podcast/forest-loss-adds-to-africas-food-crisis/] Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net [podcast@scidev.net]

Africa's space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion [https://spaceinafrica.com/2024/10/01/african-space-industry-annual-report-2024-edition/] in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent’s development issues. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how space research and innovation are being used across the continent. Mary Makuate, a researcher at Cameroon’s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, shares insights from her experience using satellite data to develop digital maps for the humanitarian response to the 2023 earthquake in Morocco. Susan Murabana, CEO of The Travelling Telescope Africa Ltd, talks about her efforts to bring astronomy to underserved Kenyan communities. Her mobile telescope initiative introduces students and local residents to space, aiming to spark interest in science and technology. And Daniel Okoh, a research scientist at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency, says Africa must strengthen its own space capabilities. He tells us how global satellite models often underrepresent the continent, due to a lack of accurate local data, and calls for greater investment in homegrown technologies.  -------------------------------------------- This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk. Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net [podcast@scidev.net]

Africa’s oceans are vital for economic growth, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods. But the costs of plastic pollution in our seas are mounting. The World Bank [https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/07/12/we-are-losing-our-treasure-the-west-african-coastal-areas-tackle-plastic-waste] puts the cost of the damage caused by marine plastic pollution at up to US$33,000 per tonne of plastic waste, in West Africa alone.  As pollution worsens, researchers say stronger policies, community engagement, and scientific collaboration can protect marine ecosystems in the region. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki hears from researchers about the diverse ways to conserve the region's oceans and their ecosystems Despite existing policies to protect Africa’s oceans, implementation remains weak. Juliet Koudonu, a marine biologist at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, says there is lack of enforcement and stresses that policies alone won’t drive change without government investment and accountability.  For conservation efforts to succeed, policies must align with the needs of coastal communities, says marine social scientist Danai Tembo, a researcher in ocean governance at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. She warns that laws failing to reflect local identities and livelihoods can backfire.  Effective conservation requires scientists and local communities to work together. Shehu Akintola, professor of fisheries at the Lagos State University, Nigeria, believes it is important to integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research.  The researchers say the continent can protect its marine resources for future generations by enforcing policies, empowering communities, and fostering scientific collaboration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station.  Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net [podcast@scidev.net]

Africa’s healthcare systems face major challenges, from workforce shortages to gaps in infrastructure.  In the latest episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with AI experts about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving change across the continent. Charles Waka explains how AI is optimising maternal and neonatal healthcare, improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.  Ndisha Mwakala, a former health information systems advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses how limited African data was a major hurdle in developing an AI tool to identify patients most at risk of HIV and connect them to testing and treatment. Zakia Salod, South African researcher in medical AI and bioinformatics, highlights how AI-powered tools like her VAXIN8 are accelerating vaccine development.  Darlington Akogo, CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, discusses how his AI tool, Moremi, streamlines disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and prescription, while Uzma Alam, programme lead for science policy engagement at the Science for Africa Foundation, stresses the need for investment in AI research to maximise its benefits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.    Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net [podcast@scidev.net]

Language plays a crucial role in education, shaping how students learn and connect with the world. Yet, according to UNESCO, 40 per cent [https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000243713#:~:text=By%20one%20estimate%2C%20as%20much%20as%2040%25%20of,in%20sub-Saharan%20Africa%20and%20Asia%20and%20the%20Pacif] of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. This gap presents a significant barrier to effective learning, particularly in science education, where technical terms and complex concepts are often difficult to understand in unfamiliar languages. In our first podcast episode of 2025, our reporter, Michael Kaloki, explores the importance of teaching science in local languages in Africa where multiple indigenous languages are spoken. Adeyemi Ademowo, a Nigerian professor of social anthropology and African cultural studies at Afe Babalola University in Nigeria’s Ekiti state, wants to see children in rural areas taught in their local language.  Grace Kago, a Kenyan post-doctoral fellow in biomedical sciences at the University of Texas, says teaching science in indigenous languages can foster public trust in science and encourage community participation in scientific discussions. How can multilingual education systems be implemented in countries with numerous languages? Algerian researcher Zehlia Babaci-Wilhite proposes some innovative solutions, including bilingual and multilingual education models. Tune in to the episode to find out how she suggests implementing this approach. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.    Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk. Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net [podcast@scidev.net]