Africa Science Focus

Episode 30

Strong health systems are essential for sustainable development, and young people and women are leading the way in creating local solutions to Africa’s health ills. Ahead of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference, 8-10 March, we hear from health leaders who say that digital innovations will accelerate progress towards universal health coverage, giving more people access to quality healthcare. 

Africa Science Focus reporter Charles Pensulo speaks to Amref Health Africa’s Caroline Mbindyo, Evalin Karijo and Desta Lakew and community health volunteer Repha Kutai to find out more.

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 29

Vaccine hesitancy is a global health threat, and health teams in Sub-Saharan Africa are doing everything they can to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence. 

This is the third episode in a special Africa Science Focus series investigating coronavirus vaccine hesitancy. In previous episodes, we heard how COVID-19 cases and deaths had increased across Sub-Saharan Africa, and how myths and misinformation spread among communities. 

In this episode, reporter Brook Abdu brings you vaccine science from the continent. Phionah Atuhebwe from the World Health Organization, Vicky Baillie from the University of the Witwatersrand and Moses Alobo from the African Academy of Sciences tell us when vaccination programmes will begin in Africa, and urge people should not be afraid to receive them.

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 28

As coronavirus cases rise in Africa and people search for ways to avoid the disease, myths about steaming and herbal cures are quickly spreading. This week on Africa Science Focus, reporter Charles Pensulo speaks to the people who are working to spread the facts, and save lives. 

In last week’s episode, Africa Science Focus asked why coronavirus deaths and cases had rapidly increased in Africa, and we heard how knowledge gaps were being filled with misinformation.

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 27

Coronavirus deaths and cases have surged in Africa in recent months. As Africa Science Focus takes a closer look at the scale of the outbreak, we ask why numbers have increased so rapidly in the region.

Reporter Jubiel Zulu speaks to people across Zambia and Malawi to find out what they think about efforts to manage coronavirus and vaccinate their communities against COVID-19. We hear from people who say that they do not have access to adequate information, which is causing mistrust in authorities and leaving knowledge gaps that are being filled with misinformation.

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 26

Farmers who lost entire crops to desert locusts in 2020 are facing a fresh wave of the invasive pests. Is there an end in sight to East Africa’s worst locust invasion in 70 years? 

This week, Africa Science Focus hears from farmers in Ethiopia who are on the frontlines of the locust resurgence, as millions of people in the region face food shortages and income loss. And, our reporters find out about a surprising solution that could help communities deal with future locust threats.   

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 25

This week, Africa Science Focus reports on Zambia’s faulty condoms and latex gloves scandal. Health and civil society organisations say the unfolding crisis could have repercussions for the ongoing battle against HIV, and impact trust in condoms and the health system. Reporter Njenje Chizu speaks to Zambians whose lives have been forever changed by the scandal. 

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 24  

It might be an idea that makes you squirm, but small-scale farmers in Uganda are getting excited about maggots. Researchers say new studies have shown the larvae of the black soldier fly, which can be found across Sub-Saharan Africa, are a protein-packed feast for chickens, pigs and fish.  

This week, Africa Science Focus reporter Joseph Elunya meets farmers who are embracing the bug revolution. 

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 23 

Did your New Year’s resolutions include going for a medical check-up? Across Sub-Saharan Africa, health workers encourage people to think about their wellbeing as the year begins. We hear why this advice is often not followed. And, while the ‘big three’ diseases continue to be a burden in Africa, experts warn that new and emerging health problems are on the horizon. 

This week, Africa Science Focus hears from medical specialists who warn that COVID-19 may not be the biggest challenge for the region’s health systems this year. 

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 22 

This year, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, a new show emerged on Africa’s fledgling podcast scene. Tasked with uncovering the voices of scientists in the least-developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and sharing stories from their communities, Africa Science Focus has become a must-listen podcast for policymakers, development practitioners, academics and the general public.  

Africa Science Focus editor Jackie Opara-Fatoye and SciDev.Net global features and podcasts editor Fiona Broom look back at their favourite episodes and the impact the podcast has had since its launch in August 2020. 

Episode 21 

Lake Tanganyika is one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It is an aquatic biodiversity hotspot, containing species that are not found anywhere else in the world. But years of pollution and overfishing have left it degraded, and the lake has been ranked among the most threatened in the world.

This week, Africa Science Focus reveals fears that eating contaminated fish caught in Lake Tanganyika may be damaging people’s eyesight. Journalist Njenje Chizu reports from the lakeside district of Mpulungu, in Zambia.

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.