Africa Science Focus
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Africa Science Focus is SciDev.Net's award-winning weekly podcast. We dive deep into the impacts that science has on everything from health, to technology, agriculture and life. Subscribe to get the best science and development news from the continent delivered straight to you!
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Across Sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are increasingly losing crops to shifting weather patterns, emerging pests and prolonged dry spells. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are changing the conditions under which food is grown, while gaps in monitoring systems make it harder to track and respond to these threats. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we examine how climate change is accelerating crop loss and what stronger data and climate-informed interventions can offer. ...
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are losing large portions of their harvest before crops ever reach the market. Pests, droughts and shifting weather patterns are decimating yields, while weak data systems make the crisis even harder to fight. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we look at how better data and stronger plant health systems can help countries respond more effectively. Our reporter, Michael Kaloki begins in Kenya, where cereals remain central to national food security. Ant...
Plant health is quietly shaping what we eat, the diseases we face and how our ecosystems function. But if you look at most One Health discussions, plants barely feature. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we unpack why that gap exists, why it matters, and what happens when plant health and One Health finally come together. Reporter Justice Baidoo speaks with Solveig Danielsen, a plant health systems expert at the agricultural research organisation CABI (the parent organisation of SciDev...
[SciDev.Net] – Following up on our previous episode that explored the funding disparities faced by women in STEM across Africa, this episode of Africa Science Focus explores the ongoing efforts to foster gender inclusion within science granting councils. In this episode, our reporters Ogechi Ekeanyanwu and Titilope Fadare speak with councils across Africa to understand the steps being taken to build a more inclusive research ecosystem. Thomas Kaluvi, an officer at the National Commission for ...
The 2025 Global Food Policy Report warns that the world could be heading toward another major food crisis. For Africa, the warning is especially urgent. Across the continent, food systems are under pressure from climate change, economic shocks, and political instability. These overlapping challenges are making it harder for governments to respond to rising food needs or invest in long-term solutions. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how research ...
[SciDev.Net] Millions of people parts of Africa are facing record levels of hunger, the UN World Food Programme 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 lost between 2010 and 2020. These forests are not just biodiversity hotspots, they are vita...
Africa's space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion 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 de...
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 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 S...
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 ...
Language plays a crucial role in education, shaping how students learn and connect with the world. Yet, according to UNESCO, 40 per cent 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...
Globally, women account for just 30 per cent of science professionals and this underrepresentation persists across Africa. In this final podcast episode of 2024, Africa Science Focus speaks to two African women who have overcome entrenched gender barriers to forge successful careers in science and technology and we learn about their contributions to advancing science in Sub-Saharan Africa. Martha Alade tells reporter Jayne Augoye how, as an inquisitive schoolgirl, she inspired classmate...
Science is fun! That’s the message from science communicators who are undertaking the critical task of engaging the researchers, mathematicians and engineers of tomorrow. A 2024 UNESCO report showed that fewer than 25 per cent of students in Sub-Saharan Africa pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This lack of participation has profound implications for the region's technological and economic future. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we explore ho...
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 John Innes Centre in the UK, tells us how gene editing ...
By communicating their research, scientists can influence policy and drive meaningful change in society. Findings from scientific research have the power to address pressing challenges in society, from climate change to disease outbreaks. But what happens when important discoveries from these studies are left to gather dust in libraries or academic journals? In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki speaks with African scientists and researchers about the need for bet...
Systemic barriers and poor support structures are stifling the progress of women in STEM 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 Afri...
Africa's indigenous knowledge holds untapped potential for scientific innovation. 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 knowl...
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...
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 researc...
Citizen science educates the public about science and enhances research for evidence-driven policies 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 p...
The dapivirine vaginal 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 vagina. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, rep...
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