African Currents

Three percent of global clinical trials happens in Africa, limiting research on how medicines interact with its genetic makeup. This imbalance hinders the development of treatments tailored to African populations, which could potentially revolutionize global health and improve the efficacy of medications worldwide.

The outcome of the December 7, 2024, elections in Ghana reaffirmed the country's role as a democratic model in Africa. With a peaceful process and high voter turnout, Ghana opted for a leader returning for a second non-consecutive term to address pressing national issues.

Africa is ramping up efforts to plug revenue leakages and revitalize its extractive industries, with Kenya adopting the initiative through gold refining and granite processing plants set to launch by mid-2025. With the continent targeting a 9 percent share of global rare earth supply by 2029, experts see potential for economic benefits and jobs.

Protecting wildlife is challenging due to the damage caused by elephants to farms and the growing illegal animal trade, worth $20 billion annually. Innovative methods, such as using bees to deter elephants and training rats to detect smuggled wildlife, are making a difference. These efforts aim to protect both animals and local communities.

Unregulated gold extraction in Ghana sustains livelihoods but devastates the environment, causing deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation. Despite measures taken by the government, nipping the problem in bud still demands sustainable solutions to balance economic needs with environmental protection.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has surpassed malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis to emerge as Africa's most dreaded health emergency. Despite regional efforts like the AMR Global Action Plan, misuse of antimicrobials, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare access continue to fuel the crisis, threatening millions of lives across the continent.

Sub-Saharan Africa's manufacturing leaders convened at this year's Manufacturing Indaba to address industry challenges and growth opportunities. Discussions on digital innovation, skilled labor, and partnerships underscored the push for global competitiveness and an inclusive post-COVID manufacturing sector.

A new report uncovers the hidden costs of how Western media portrays Africa, showing an annual loss of up to $4.2 billion. The findings point to a vicious cycle: biased election coverage and constant negative stories raise borrowing costs, scare off investors, and push up bond yields for African countries.

In 2005, South African physicist Vivian Alberts changed solar power with a new thin-film technology that uses a light five-element alloy instead of silicon. Now patented in over 100 countries, this affordable option can make solar power more widely available, especially in developing countries where accessibility and cost are big factors.

Recently, the Group of Twenty nations adopted a landmark “Call to Action on Global Governance Reform” at the UN, backing reforms in bodies like the UN Security Council, WTO, and IMF. Led by Brazil’s presidency, it seeks stronger representation of the Global South and women, equitable taxation, debt relief, and an reformed global financial system.