Article
Agronomy
Kenneth J. Boote, Adegbola T. Adesogan, Mulubrhan Balehegn, Alan Duncan, James P. Muir, Jose C. B. Dubeux, Esteban F. Rios
Summary: Livestock systems are crucial for the sustainability and livelihood in sub-Saharan Africa, but face challenges such as low productivity and insufficient management practices. This special issue addresses key aspects of crop and livestock systems in SSA, aiming to provide insight for future development and implementation of efficient and sustainable integrated systems.
Article
Economics
Zhicheng Xu, Yu Zhang, Dongying Li
Summary: The efficacy of foreign aid, especially Chinese aid, has been a controversial topic. This study investigates the impact of Chinese development assistance on nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on children and women. The results show that Chinese aid significantly improves hemoglobin levels and reduces the likelihood of anemia, especially among children. Contrary to popular belief, health aid does not have a significant effect on nutrition conditions, while aid projects promoting earnings and job opportunities greatly reduce malnutrition among children and women. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that Chinese aid mainly benefits disadvantaged residents in improving nutrition.
Article
Economics
Johnson Worlanyo Ahiadorme
Summary: The study found that income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa countries exhibits a procyclical response to monetary policy, which may result in wealth concentration and limited distributive capacity. There are distinctions in the transmission of standard and non-standard monetary measures, particularly in terms of stock market reaction, exchange rate response, and fiscal response.
ECONOMIC CHANGE AND RESTRUCTURING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Goedele van den Broeck, Talip Kilic, Janneke Pieters
Summary: The study examines the effects of structural transformation on gender equality, particularly equal pay, in Sub-Saharan Africa. It finds that women in urban areas earn 40 to 46 percent less than men, while the gender pay gap in rural areas ranges from 12 percent to 77 percent. The analysis reveals that differences in workers' characteristics explain a significant portion of the gender pay gap in rural areas, suggesting that equalizing characteristics would eliminate most of the gap. In urban areas, however, country differences are larger and characteristics account for a smaller portion of the pay gap, indicating the need for gender-sensitive policies.
Article
Development Studies
Lacour Mody Ayompe, Benis N. Egoh, Raymond Ndip Nkongho, Lionel M. Wandum, Bessem O. Orang, Komi K. M. Fiaboe, Emmanuel E. Tambasi, Marianne Kettunen
Summary: Sub-Saharan Africa is seen as an important region for palm oil cultivation, which can contribute to the sustainable development goals of poverty alleviation and hunger reduction. However, the sector faces challenges in terms of sustainability. This study examines the complexities and costs and benefits for smallholder farmers in practicing sustainable palm oil production. Certification can help address some challenges, but the high cost may require assistance from organizations and brokers. The findings provide insights for countries adopting legislation to regulate deforestation associated with palm oil imports.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Theophile T. Azomahou, Raouf Boucekkine, Harounan Kazianga, Mark Korir, Njuguna Ndung'u
Summary: Sub-Saharan African countries face various market failures and constraints in food production, marketing, and consumption. Governments in this region have implemented numerous policies to address these challenges, particularly in relation to nutrition outcomes. Despite these efforts, malnutrition remains a persistent issue. In this essay, the importance of informed and evidence-based policy development and implementation is emphasized, and the links between agriculture, rural development, public health, and food security are highlighted. The introduction to the special issue of the Food Policy journal provides an overview of the papers that analyze policy domains, contribute to the understanding of policy impacts on nutrition outcomes and related indicators, and suggest policy directions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Karishma Sharma, Shahin Sayed, Mansoor Saleh
Summary: Promoting best practice in cancer patient management relies on the application of new knowledge derived from various sources. Collaboration between oncologists and pathologists is crucial, with the characteristics of the tumor and microenvironment playing a defining role in disease progression and outcome.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Samuel K. Mutiga, Felix Rotich, Vincent M. Were, John M. Kimani, David T. Mwongera, Emmanuel Mgonja, Geoffrey Onaga, Kadougoudiou Konate, Claudine Razanaboahirana, Joseph Bigirimana, Alexis Ndayiragije, Emily Gichuhi, Mary J. Yanoria, Miriam Otipa, Lusike Wasilwa, Ibrahima Ouedraogo, Thomas Mitchell, Guo-Liang Wang, James C. Correll, Nicholas J. Talbot
Summary: Rice is a key food security crop in Africa, and efforts are being made at country-specific, regional, and multinational levels to develop germplasm and policies to boost production. Rice blast disease remains a major constraint to rice production in sub-Saharan Africa, and multinational collaborative research efforts are essential in enhancing sustainable rice production and advancing regional policies. Through international partnerships, progress has been made in establishing networks for disease surveillance, engaging with farmers, monitoring pathogen virulence, and developing blast-resistant rice varieties.
Article
Economics
Mary Amponsah, Frank W. Agbola, Amir Mahmood
Summary: The Global Financial Crisis and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have had a devastating impact on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), resulting in increased poverty and income inequality. This study empirically examined the relationship between poverty, inequality, and economic growth in 35 SSA countries from 1990 to 2018 using comprehensive panel data. The findings suggest that income inequality negatively affects poverty and exacerbates inclusive growth.
ECONOMIC MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Festus Victor Bekun, Bright Akwasi Gyamfi, Ruth Oluyemi Bamidele, Edmund Ntom Udemba
Summary: The tourism industry in Africa contributes significantly to economic growth and employment generation, but it also has negative environmental impacts. This study found that tourism, GDP growth, and foreign direct investment have a detrimental effect on environmental quality. However, renewable energy can help improve the environment. The causal analysis showed that there is a one-way causality between tourism and carbon dioxide emission, as well as between foreign direct investment and carbon dioxide emission, and urbanization and carbon dioxide emission. Therefore, strict environmental guidelines and regulations are necessary to control economic activities that negatively impact the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ayesha A. Motala, Jean Claude Mbanya, Kaushik Ramaiya, Fraser J. Pirie, Kenneth Ekoru
Summary: This review discusses the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications in sub-Saharan Africa, including the epidemiological transition, prevalence, and challenges in diagnosis and management. It highlights the need for greater investment in health systems and coordinated national programs to address the growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications in the region.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Adrian P. Mundt, Sabine Delhey Langerfeldt, J. Maphisa Maphisa, Oumar Sourabie, Blaise Nguendo Yongsi, Enzo Rozas Serri, Jean C. Bukasa Tshilonda, Jeronimo H. Te, Mary A. Bitta, Lipalesa Mathe, Olive Liwimbi, Palmira Fortunato dos Santos, Olayinka Atilola, Stefan Jansen, Jean A. Diegane Tine, Clementina Akran, Abdul Jalloh, Ashraf Kagee, Elizabeth S. Van Wyk, Jimmy B. Forry, Mwiya Liamunga Imasiku, Handrick Chigiji, Stefan Priebe
Summary: The study found that psychiatric bed numbers and prison populations in sub-Saharan Africa showed a decrease from 1990 to 2020. Low-income and lower-middle income countries had lower rates compared to upper-middle income countries.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin L. Rice, Akshaya Annapragada, Rachel E. Baker, Marjolein Bruijning, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Keitly Mensah, Ian F. Miller, Nkengafac Villyen Motaze, Antso Raherinandrasana, Malavika Rajeev, Julio Rakotonirina, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Weiyu Yu, Bryan T. Grenfell, Andrew J. Tatem, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown low burdens in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions, potentially influenced by factors such as climate and population demographics. Caution is needed when interpreting analyses that aggregate data from low- and middle-income settings. Heterogeneity in connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to variance in the pace of viral spread.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Duncan McCloskey, Aggrey Semeere, Racheal Ayanga, Miriam Laker-Oketta, Robert Lukande, Matthew Semakadde, Micheal Kanyesigye, Megan Wenger, Philip LeBoit, Timothy McCalmont, Toby Maurer, Andrea Gardner, Juan Boza, Ethel Cesarman, Jeffrey Martin, David Erickson
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of a point-of-care device for molecular diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), achieving high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to traditional pathology. The results highlight the potential for the use of this diagnostic method to overcome barriers in limited-resource settings.
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
David Laborde, Valeria Pineiro
Summary: The Russia-Ukraine conflict had an impact on staple crop prices and stimulated interest in tropical wheat production. Regional consumption patterns and trade have a better potential to guide effective and sustainable food security policy strategies.