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Voices of Change: Radio Empowers Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Radio Empowers FarmersIn 2023, 64.2 million East Africans faced acute food insecurity, compounded by communities with low literacy rates, adverse climate instability and poor internet infrastructure. Many lacked the life-sustaining information to aid in the escape from poverty. For Farm Radio International, bridging this gap lies in communication justice, a guiding principle where every person deserves the unalienable right to speak and be informed.

Dialing up Support

Founded in 1975 by George Atkins, Farm Radio International is a Canadian nongovernmental organization (NGO). It works with existing radio stations to improve access to information in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization aims to connect small-scale farmers with life-changing knowledge and opportunities for a stronger voice in their development.

As of 2025, Farm Radio International supports communities across sub-Saharan Africa, a region where approximately 600 million people still lack access to electricity. The charity’s work demonstrates that reducing information loss in rural areas empowers Africans to make informed decisions. This could include knowing when to plant crops, adapting to climate emergencies or addressing health challenges. In sub-Saharan Africa, where 65% of the population relies on radio for news, broadcasters often serve as trusted and vital sources of information.

Following this dynamic, Farm Radio International implemented a network of nearly 1,400 stations across sub-Saharan Africa, all backed by informational resources, content and training. By the end of 2024, the initiative worked with 135 stations across 34 projects, addressing themes like food security, climate flux and gender equality.

Radio Empowers Farmers

Farm Radio International estimates that up to 60% of radio users tune into its programs, with an average of 20% incorporating one recommended practice. While statistically impressive, Farm Radio International prioritizes the impact on individual farmers’ lives. One example in northern Tanzania exhibited how a radio program on agroecology boosted farmers’ average knowledge score about ecologically sustainable agriculture by 62%.

In sub-Saharan Africa, researchers demonstrated how growth from agriculture is 11 times more effective at reducing extreme poverty than any other sector. Therefore, East Africans can expect better nutrition by improving farm systems through increased productivity, higher incomes and broader economic growth. They could also experience increased access to education and a ripple effect of economic activity throughout their communities.

Reflecting on Communication Justice

The vital role of radio as a source of information and support for small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overstated. With the longstanding partnership of Farm Radio International and local broadcasters, millions of farmers gain access to life-changing knowledge that empowers them to make informed decisions in the face of challenges like food insecurity.

Through interactive programs and community involvement, these initiatives not only improve agricultural practices but also enhance economic resilience and social equity. As technology continues to evolve, ensuring that radio retains its significance in agricultural communication will be essential for fostering development and empowering marginalized communities across the region.

– Marcus Villagomez

Marcus is based in Galveston, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reducing Poverty with Emerging Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa

emerging technologies in sub-saharan africaSub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a discreet but profound digital revolution. The region has long been seen as being on the fringes of global innovation but is now experiencing rapid connectivity and technological development growth. Between 2005 and 2011, mobile phone subscriptions rose by 400% and internet access increased from 2.1% to 24.4% of the population between 2005 and 2018. Additionally, the 2022 Global Innovation Index ranks five countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Ghana and Senegal, among the world’s 100 most innovative countries. This dynamic is not just a question of infrastructure; it also reflects the rise in power of a local ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs and social startups that design solutions adapted to the realities on the ground. In this context, emerging technologies in sub-Saharan Africa, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming concrete levers for poverty reduction.

Blockchain: A Tool for Financial Inclusion

In a region where a large part of the population remains excluded from traditional banking systems, blockchain offers a secure, transparent and decentralized alternative. In East Africa, the startup AZA Finance (formerly BitPesa) enables companies and individuals to make cross-border transactions faster and cheaper than traditional banking services.

Blockchain technology is also used to track the distribution of humanitarian aid, reduce the diversion risk and digital identities to populations lacking official documents and denied access to basic services. Thanks to these identities, millions can now open a mobile account, access microcredit or sign up for a health program.

AI for Health, Agriculture and Education

AI offers new perspectives in key areas of poverty reduction. In health, AI-based programs analyze X-rays for diseases such as tuberculosis, filling the acute shortage of doctors in rural areas. In agriculture, tools like UjuziKilimo in Kenya use sensors and algorithms to recommend the most profitable crops for farmers based on soil composition and climate forecasts.

On the education side, the M-Shule platform combines artificial intelligence and SMS to offer personalized educational content to primary school students. Each lesson adapts to the pace and level of the student, which is particularly useful in educational systems where class overcrowding and teacher shortages hinder learning.

IoT: Connecting Isolated Areas

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also transforming critical infrastructure. In areas not served by the national electricity grid, smart mini-solar grids managed remotely through connected sensors allow populations access to reliable electricity. IoT devices also monitor tank water levels or alert when a pump fails.

According to 360 Mozambique, these technologies are profoundly changing access to essential services and foreshadowing a new way of thinking about development centered on autonomy and local resilience.

M-Pesa: A Kenyan Success Story

Among the most emblematic examples of technological innovation against poverty, M-Pesa is central. Launched in 2007 by the operator Safaricom in Kenya, this mobile payment system allows its users to send, receive and save money via a basic mobile phone without a bank account.

According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, M-Pesa helped lift some 194,000 Kenyan households out of extreme poverty between 2008 and 2014, including facilitating cash transfers, saving and access to microcredit. Many women, in particular, have used M-Pesa to create small businesses and gain economic autonomy.

The Case of Togo: When AI Helps to Target Emergency Aid

Beyond the private sector, African governments are also beginning to integrate emerging technologies into their social policies. The Novissi program, launched by the Togolese government in 2020, is a striking example. Using satellite data and artificial intelligence models, this program has automatically targeted the most vulnerable populations without requiring them to register manually.

Recipients received money transfers directly to their phones through the mobile money system. This device, deployed in a few weeks, helped more than 500,000 people affected by the COVID-19 crisis while limiting fraud and bureaucratic delays.

An Opportunity To Transform the Fight Against Poverty

The emergence of technology hubs, social incubators and public-private partnerships across Africa shows the potential. Organizations like the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and private foundations actively support this inclusive digital transition.

Emerging technologies alone cannot eradicate poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, but in a context where traditional solutions are reaching their limits, they represent a powerful lever to strengthen resilience, promote empowerment and improve access to basic services. In sub-Saharan Africa, they empower millions of marginalized people to build a more just, dignified and sustainable future.

– Eléonore Bonnaterre

Eléonore is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How AI Upskilling Is Creating Jobs in Africa: The Case of Zindi

ZindiAccording to a report by Deloitte, African rural regions are currently experiencing a lack of digitalization essential for potential economic growth. Many African rural communities struggle with limited access to critical internet infrastructure, which is necessary for sustaining small businesses and education.

However, promising AI startups are rising to address these challenges through innovative solutions. Among them, Zindi stands out with its modern approach and rapid growth by upskilling the AI jobs market in Africa.

Digitalization in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges for development due to the lack of affordable digital infrastructure. Additionally, low engagement with community-owned digital access and difficulty using digital platforms hinder progress. This lack of access to digital technologies impacts not only educational and business systems but also prospects for job creation, employment and career growth for local populations.

As digitalization challenges persist, the world’s largest companies are investing heavily in solutions. Over the past 10 years, the World Bank has contributed approximately $731.8 million to 11 Digital Development Projects. It has also committed $2.8 billion across 24 active Digital Development projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, large corporations aren’t the only ones tackling Africa’s digital growth challenges. Startups like Zindi are taking a broader approach by focusing on both digital solutions and their impact on education and the economy. They offer rural communities accessible internet and AI innovations. They also drive employment through youth training, AI career development and digital upskilling initiatives, laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.

About Zindi

Zindi, one of Africa’s most impactful AI startups, began its mission to tackle the region’s digital challenges in 2018. Driven by the belief that data can tell stories, drive innovation and improve lives, Celina Lee founded Zindi (a platform where 70,000 data scientists develop AI-driven solutions to pressing challenges) in Cape Town, South Africa. Zindi is committed to bridging gaps in tech access, skills and employment across rural and urban communities.

Zindi Impacts

  • Data Farming. One of Zindi’s key initiatives is data farming, which applies AI and machine learning to agricultural challenges in rural Africa. Zindi deepens the use of data science to tackle agricultural challenges, particularly in precision agriculture, including crop yield prediction, pest detection and fertilizer optimization. This focus is critical, as agriculture remains a vital economic pillar for most rural communities across Africa. Additionally, Zindi enhances accessibility for local farmers and business owners through low-tech solutions, such as basic mobile apps, enabling seamless communication with workers whenever needed.
  • Health Care Systems. Zindi has also made a notable impact on health care systems. Using AI, the company tackles major health challenges like malaria and COVID-19. In 2024, Zindi hosted competitions to model malaria spread in Southern Africa, enabling data-driven resource allocation. That same year, it supported telemedicine by partnering with organizations like FruitPunch AI to develop SMS-based algorithms that connect rural patients to doctors, especially in areas with limited health care access.

Final Remarks

As Zindi AI expands across Africa, it prioritizes local talent through its employment and training initiatives. By offering free AI upskilling programs, such as hackathons, it provides underrepresented individuals with affordable, practical learning to solve local challenges and gain hands-on experience.

Despite its niche approach to digital solutions, Zindi’s focus on employment and rural digitalization centers on people and their stories. It empowers not only the technical side of digital transformation but also supports the individuals behind it.

– Liubov Linnyk

Liubov is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Grassroots Health Initiatives Transforming Communities

Grassroots Health InitiativesSub-Saharan Africa is home to more than a billion people across countries with diverse cultures and economies. Yet across rural communities, a shared reality persists: poverty and limited health care access. Geographic isolation, underfunded health systems and economic hardship often make even basic care inaccessible, and the consequences are fatal. Under-5 child mortality in this region is 68 per 1,000 live births, while 70% of the global maternal deaths occur there. However, there are several grassroots health initiatives in place that aim to improve overall health care in these communities.

Background

Despite commitments like the 2001 Abuja Declaration, most countries in sub-Saharan Africa have not met health funding goals, hence, health systems remain vulnerable, dependent on fluctuating foreign aid. Consequently, even basic services involve out-of-pocket costs that deter those in poverty from accessing essential care.

Most rural areas lack nearby clinics and existing facilities often suffer from shortages in medicine, equipment and staff. As a result, many turn to traditional healers or informal providers. Chronic poverty, gender inequality and food insecurity further restrict access, especially for women who may lack the autonomy or resources to seek care.

Yet amid these challenges, hope is emerging from within. Across Ethiopia, Malawi and Nigeria, women and mothers are leading the charge through grassroots health initiatives ― bridging the gap between poverty and care by bringing services closer to those who need them most. Here are some grassroots health initiatives transforming rural sub-Saharan communities impacted by poverty and poor healthcare access:

Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program

Despite its low-income status, Ethiopia has made notable progress in rural health care through its Health Extension Program (HEP), launched in 2003. The program provides universal access to basic health services. It operates through local health posts staffed by trained Health Extension Workers (HEWs), many of whom are women from the communities they serve. HEWs identify pregnant women, provide antenatal care and refer them to formal health systems if complications arise.

More than 30,000 women received training and are now reaching more than 12 million households with health education, vaccination campaigns and family planning services. These, among other efforts contributed to Ethiopia meeting the under-5 mortality reduction target (MDG4) four years early in 2012, with major improvements in child and maternal health outcomes — including a reduction in infant mortality to only 68 per 1,000 live births.

Meseret’s Story: From Mother to Health Hero

Meseret, from rural Meki, grew up drinking polluted water from the nearby Lake Ziay. A visit from a community health worker introduced her village to water purification, inspiring her to train as a health worker. Today, she works with PSI’s Smart Start program, educating young couples on contraception and financial planning, empowering them to make informed decisions. Meseret’s efforts have contributed towards the 75,000 adolescent girls reached by Smart Start, more than 35,000 of which now use modern contraceptives  — proof of the life-changing impact grassroots health workers can have on underserved communities.

The MaiMwana Project

In rural Malawi, where 73.9% of the population lives on less than $1.25 per day and maternal, neonatal and infant mortality rates are especially high, women-led initiatives like the MaiMwana project and Secret Mothers have become crucial.

Running from 2005 to 2010, the MaiMwana Project mobilized women in Mchinji District to identify health problems, create solutions, and implement interventions like home vegetable gardens and bicycle ambulances. Inspired by similar projects in Asia and South America, it formed 207 groups across 310 villages, involving more than 12,000 attendees, the majority of whom were women. The project contributed towards a 22% reduction in neonatal mortality, highlighting the life-saving potential of women-led, community-rooted health work

Secret Mothers

In Chiyang’anira Village, Chikwawa District, another grassroots solution has emerged: a group of women known as the Secret Mothers, or “Amayi Achinsinsi.” Previously, many pregnant women in the region avoided antenatal appointments due to the expensive 200 km journey to the nearest hospital, but Secret Mothers have improved this situation, supporting them by encouraging antenatal visits and modelling safe health practices. Since its inception in 2012, more than 100 women have joined, including 50-year-old mother Stella Sabstone, a founding member. Thanks to their efforts, eight in 10 expectant mothers now receive appropriate care. By building trust within familiar networks, Secret Mothers are transforming maternal health outcomes in the geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged community.

Grassroots Health Governance in Nigeria

In Nigeria’s Kaduna State, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) have emerged as a powerful community response to maternal health issues. Sparked by a maternal death in Yakasai village, the initiative, developed in collaboration with the Population and Reproductive Health Initiative, engages local leaders, health workers, and community representatives to improve health service delivery and accountability. WDCs promote health education, monitor local facilities and lead programs like the community Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (cMPDSR). These efforts have radically increased facility-based births and antenatal care use.

They also address cultural norms that hinder care. In some areas, WDCs have created policies encouraging the presence of male partners at antenatal visits, a critical shift in communities where health decisions are often male-dominated. While funding and sustainability challenges remain (such as the need for ongoing training), WDCs are helping to build a more responsive, locally-rooted health system to benefit the rural poor.

Grassroots Health Initiatives: Lasting Transformation

What unites these grassroots health initiatives ― from Ethiopia’s HEWs to Malawi’s women’s groups and Nigeria’s Ward Committees ― is their focus on empowering those most affected by poverty. By leveraging local knowledge, building trust, and expanding access, these programs are breaking barriers to health care in some of the world’s most underserved areas.

Women and mothers in particular are leading this transformation. Their leadership is not only radically improving health outcomes but also strengthening community resilience. These locally driven efforts demonstrate that scalable, cost-effective health solutions can emerge from within even the most resource-constrained settings, offering valuable lessons for broader poverty reduction strategies.

– Holly McArthur

Holly is based in Somerset, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Living Goods is Saving Lives in Sub-Saharan Africa

Living GoodsSub-Saharan Africa is the region of Africa located south of the Sahara Desert. The area has a population of 1.3 billion and a vivid culture dating back thousands of years. However, a 2019 study showed that 35% of the region’s population lives in poverty. Destitution often leads to adverse health, primarily due to poor living conditions and a lack of complete nutrition, resulting in further exacerbated conditions. Despite all these challenges, many contrasting forces have risen to make the lives of Africans easier. One of these initiatives is Living Goods, a nonprofit that employs community workers to deliver patient healthcare services. It started its operations in Uganda and has since spread its wings to Kenya and Burkina Faso.

The Story of Living Goods

Established in 2007, Living Goods is the brainchild of businessman Chuck Slaughter. In 1987, Slaughter’s interest in creating social impact was sparked by a newspaper article about the microfinance organization Trickle Up. Eager to make a difference, he gained employment in the company as a program officer, visiting India, Nepal and Indonesia, where he saw firsthand how small-scale entrepreneurship could change lives.

After earning his Master’s degree at Yale, Slaughter took his business acumen to the travel industry, launching TravelSmith. This mail-order travel gear company skyrocketed to $100 million value in sales. After the company was bought in 2004, a chance encounter stumbled Slaughter onto The Health Store/CFW shops, a chain of franchised drug stores in Kenya. Intrigued by the idea of bringing healthcare directly to underserved communities, he envisioned a new model that empowered community health workers to deliver essential care right to people’s doorsteps.

Use of Technology

Living Goods integrates its services with technology to provide the best utilities. Each community health worker has access to a mobile app that helps them organize their daily tasks and responsibilities. It also includes information on what treatments to provide, eliminating the need for hefty medical training and allowing the charity to employ as many workers as possible.

The app also allows patients to connect with nearby workers and call on them for a service. This system addresses citizens’ medical needs, especially in countries like Uganda, where the NGO operates, where there is only one doctor for every 25,000 people, far below the recommended ratio of one healthcare professional per 1,000 individuals.

Programs

Living Goods boasts several programs, including vaccinations, healthy pregnancies and emergency response to outbreaks. Using their health app, community workers can track what children need immunizations and who are up-to-date. The software also sends mothers reminders when their children’s vaccinations are expiring. Community workers also help educate parents. After Living Goods’ vaccination program started in 2019, more than 80% of parents stated that they gained new knowledge about immunization from their employees.

Living Goods community health workers regularly go on home visits for pregnant women. They aim to make sure future mothers attend all necessary antenatal check-ups and deliver their babies in healthcare facilities. They play a key role in early pregnancy identification, provide maternal health and nutrition education and enroll women to receive automated text messages with timely, pregnancy-related guidance.

During the Ugandan Ebola outbreak of 2022, Living Goods took many preventive measures to ensure the virus didn’t spread further. The nonprofit conducted specialized training sessions for field staff and community health workers to identify Ebola symptoms and implement prevention strategies. Workers also received SMS notifications every two days, reinforcing key information about the virus. It also gave out protective equipment such as soaps, gloves, aprons and masks to areas facing the highest exposure. Living Goods also created and delivered more than 110,000 leaflets regarding the virus to increase public awareness.

Final Remarks on Living Goods

Living Goods is making a real difference in healthcare across sub-Saharan Africa. The organization helps deliver essential services directly to people’s homes by equipping community health workers with simple digital tools. Its efforts have expanded access to care in areas with limited medical infrastructure. With a focus on practical solutions and local impact, Living Goods is helping build healthier futures in some of the region’s most underserved communities.

– Mustafa Tareen

Mustafa is based in Lahore, Pakistan and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Saving Lives: Tackling Maternal Mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

Maternal Mortality in sub-Saharan AfricaMaternal mortality remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. In regions like Liberia, Sierra Leone and other underserved areas, the lack of resources, trained professionals and access to essential medications means that around 300,000 women die each year from preventable complications of pregnancy.

Life for African Mothers (LFAM), a U.K.-based charity founded 19 years ago, is at the forefront of tackling this crisis. LFAM operates in some of the world’s most impoverished regions, dedicating its resources to saving mothers’ lives by providing vital medications and training health care workers to improve maternal health outcomes. Entirely volunteer-driven, LFAM’s efforts have become a beacon of hope for thousands of women across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Urgency of Maternal Mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

More than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable, particularly those from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The number, 300,000, has remained stubbornly high for more than a decade. Despite the affordability of medication, logistical costs and the high number of mothers in need pose significant challenges. Many clinics in rural and underserved regions lack consistent access to misoprostol, significantly increasing the risk of fatal complications during childbirth. This is where LFAM’s intervention becomes crucial.

The LFAM Project: Two-Pronged Approach

The primary goal of LFAM is to reduce maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone. LFAM’s project is built on two key pillars: 

  1. Distribution of vital medication: Since its inception, LFAM has been working to procure and distribute misoprostol to hundreds of health facilities across Liberia, Sierra Leone and other sub-Saharan African countries. By ensuring that each clinic has a consistent supply of this life-saving medication, LFAM addresses one of the biggest barriers to reducing maternal mortality.
  2. Training health care workers: In addition to providing medication, LFAM prioritizes the training of health care workers. This training focuses on the proper administration of misoprostol and Emergency Obstetric Care (EMOC). Through partnerships with local midwives and hospitals, LFAM introduces practices in maternal care that can have a lasting impact on the health system. The goal is not only to provide immediate relief but also to foster self-sufficiency in these clinics, enabling long-term improvements in maternal health care.

LFAM’s project implementation involves a comprehensive and continuous process of reviewing the existing needs of each clinic, supplying misoprostol in bulk and delivering these supplies to hundreds of clinics across the region. Regular monitoring of maternal health outcomes ensures that the program can be adjusted to maximize its impact and expand where necessary. This systematic approach helps LFAM address both the immediate and long-term needs of maternal health facilities across the region.

Saving Lives

LFAM has shipped more than 5 million tablets of misoprostol to sub-Saharan Africa, potentially saving around one million lives. The organization has also educated 1,000 midwives, highlighting its dedication to tackling maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The primary beneficiaries of LFAM’s work are women in rural and underserved areas of sub-Saharan Africa, where access to emergency maternal care is limited or nonexistent.

These women, especially those at risk of life-threatening complications, are often miles from the nearest health care facility. LFAM aims to reach approximately 10,000 mothers annually by working with local clinics to ensure that even the most remote areas receive the necessary supplies and support. This strategy addresses the geographic and socioeconomic disparities that make maternal health care inaccessible for so many women in the region.

Saving mothers’ lives enriches communities and encourages prosperity in the most impoverished countries. Poverty and maternal death rates are inextricably linked. When a mother survives childbirth, she can care for her newborn and contribute to the social and economic fabric of her community. LFAM’s work is helping ensure that more women survive to fulfill this role.

Lasting Solutions

LFAM’s model is designed with sustainability in mind. By investing in training local health care professionals and partnering with governments, the organization is helping to create a system that can continue to function even after LFAM’s direct involvement ends. This long-term approach ensures that the improvements in maternal health care are not temporary but instead form the foundation for a healthier future.

LFAM’s mission is clear: to prevent unnecessary maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. However, this work is only possible with the continued support of donors and partners. Every pound invested in LFAM’s projects helps save lives, empower communities and improve health care systems in some of the world’s most underserved regions. With donor support, LFAM continues to contribute to a brighter and healthier future for thousands of mothers and their families, forging a path toward a world where no mother dies from preventable causes during childbirth.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr

Combating Cervical Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about “93% of cervical cancers are preventable.” Unfortunately, however, the rates for cervical cancer, as well as the number of deaths from it, continue to remain high in many of the poorest areas of the world. This is especially the case in sub-Saharan Africa, most notably in East Africa. In order to reduce incidences of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, targeted human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine rollouts are necessary.

Cervical Cancer Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa notes a significant number of cervical cancer cases. In East Africa specifically, cervical cancer is “the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, with one of the incidence rates above 40 cases per 100,000 of the population,” according to a study based on surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, in 2018, Africa accounted for 19 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of cervical cancer.

A study published in 2020 by Elima Jedy-Agba and others says cervical cancer is also “the most common cancer in half (23/46) of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa,” with women in these countries noting the highest cervical cancer incidences and mortality rates globally. The cervical cancer survival rate is also very low in sub-Saharan Africa as only about 33% of those with this form of cancer survive five years after diagnosis. Additionally, cervical cancer was responsible for 21.7% of all cancer deaths in women in sub-Saharan Africa in 2018, “making it the most common cause of cancer death in the region.”

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Cervical cancer rates are high in sub-Saharan Africa primarily due to a prevalence of various risk factors, many of which tend to be associated with poverty. University of Cape Town gynecology professor Lynette Denny asserts that the increased risk of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa has “a very strong connection with poverty, with high numbers of people living in unsatisfactory conditions, as well as fragile health care systems that tend to focus on curative rather than preventative interventions…”

Denny also cites women’s lack of access to health care and successful screening programs in Africa as other potential causes. This lack of access contributes to 90% of deaths from the illness.

Lower levels of education, which ties to poverty, also play a role. In a study published in July 2021, Abila and others found that among a group of participants from Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, “having a complete secondary education was associated with the lowest number of risk factors for cervical cancer compared with women with no education” in each country.

Furthermore, most of the respondents in the study “started sexual intercourse at 17 years or younger with the highest proportion among women from Uganda (72.38%) and the lowest among women from Burundi (52.3%).” The women also first gave birth at tender ages, with the mean ages ranging from 18.67 in Uganda to 21.71 in Rwanda.

HIV and HPV Risk Factors

Such trends are common in poor regions as various studies in Africa reveal that “poverty is a risk factor for early sexual debut.” For instance, sub-Saharan African countries typically note higher rates of transactional sex (exchanging sexual acts for basic necessities such as food and money) among young women due to economic insecurity.

Although these young women can meet certain short-term needs by engaging in transaction sex, this practice typically involves multiple sexual partners, which increases the risk of contracting HPV and/or HIV, both of which cause a bulk of cervical cancer cases globally. This shows how poverty in sub-Saharan Africa can directly result in higher rates of cervical cancer.

Treatment Options/HPV Vaccinations

Expanding access to HPV vaccinations is a solution that could greatly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a research article by Christine Muthoni Karanja-Chege, “HPV vaccination provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18 which are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases.”  Karanja-Chege also notes that the best age for vaccination is during the early adolescent years before an individual’s first sexual encounter as children in developing countries are more prone to becoming sexually active at an early age.

Karanja-Chege cites Australia as an example of a country in which widespread HPV vaccination has succeeded. As of 2019, 80% of Australian females eligible for the HPV vaccine have received it, which has greatly reduced HPV infection in the country. Furthermore, this increase in HPV vaccination rates is expected to reduce the cervical cancer rate in the country in the near future. The example of Australia demonstrates that nations can achieve considerable success in preventing a major risk factor associated with cervical cancer, which is what African nations such as Kenya hope to do.

HPV Vaccination Rollout in Kenya

Kenya has also attempted to deter cervical cancer through HPV vaccination. In 2019, Kenya’s Ministry of Health rolled out a “routine HPV vaccination” program for 10-year-old girls in the country. With the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, public health organization John Snow, Inc. (JSI) helped introduce the vaccine in Kenya.

Despite these efforts, vaccine misinformation spread throughout the country, discouraging many parents from bringing their daughters for vaccinations. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care services in the country and forced the government to delay many immunization campaigns, including the HPV immunization campaign.

Nevertheless, the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Kenya has seen some success. The 2019 program also provides valuable lessons that health ministries in Africa can take into account to ensure greater success in future programs. JSI notes that “HPV vaccine introduction requires tailored approaches to reach preadolescent/adolescent girls. Countries that are introducing HPV vaccine are learning that these lessons also offer an innovative blueprint for future life-course vaccinations.”

– Adam Cvik

Photo: Flickr

Sub-Saharan Urbanization Increases Gender Equality

naida-sub-saharan-urbanization-increases-gender-equalityWith Africa facing near-unprecedented population growth, urban cities have sparked across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, has become the world’s fastest urbanizing region. Compared to rural areas, cities experience greater economic growth and job opportunities. Most importantly, sub-Saharan urbanization increases gender equality.

Gender Divide

Africa’s gender disparities run deep. While African women work 50% longer hours than men, men make disproportionately more money than women. Furthermore, 70% of women are financially excluded. These financial gaps systematically subordinate women, moving the continent further from equality. The lack of female employment also disrupts economic growth and future development. Moreover, according to Global Partnership, gender-based violence affects women yearly and at high frequencies.

These issues, though, have not received attention for decades. Only now does sub-Saharan urbanization increase gender equality and present a promising solution.

Education Opportunities

In sub-Saharan Africa, urbanized areas have heavily invested in education and schools. Between 1970 and 2022, as urbanization increased, education synchronously also increased. Secondary school completion nearly doubled, and graduation rates grew.

Urban education, compared to rural education in Africa, is a considerable advancement. Schools in rural communities have a significant distance between them. In South Africa, transport distances are a structural barrier to rural education and are why only 18% of students attend school. Meanwhile, the quality of education is significantly inferior in rural areas — lacking curricula and structure. Overall, urbanization in Africa tightens both the quality and accessibility of education.

The impact of education is multifold. According to an empirical study in Africa, when women receive higher levels of education, they have higher-paying job opportunities. Furthermore, girls’ health education has led to decreased infections from HIV/AIDS and lower infant deaths.

Sub-Saharan African countries which have urbanized have empowered women’s education. Gabon, a highly urbanized country, has free and compulsory education. Gabon also has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa. This case study shows that as Gabon urbanized, education programs became more accessible and widespread. On the other hand, in Gabon’s rural areas, however, there is a culture of sexual abuse and a lack of teachers in schools.

Meanwhile, Guinea, a country with low urbanization rates, suffered from extreme gender divisions and disadvantaged women. The World Bank attributes this to a lack of female school enrollment. Overall, future sub-Saharan urbanization could increase gender equality.

Employment Opportunities and Diversity

Sub-Saharan urban areas typically offer women more job opportunities and economic independence. For instance, a rising tide of female entrepreneurs has dominated African urban areas. Women who migrated from rural to urban areas also saw increases in both income and empowerment.

Urban areas also exhibit a wider array of labor employment. Urban heterogeneity in Africa increases labor flexibility. Thus, urban women can become “market traders, miners, mechanics, managers and even Government Ministers” — unavailable careers in rural areas, according to Oxfam.

Due to urbanization, women can access similar economic professions to men. In rural communities, a career in agriculture was the dominant, if not the only, option.

Eroding Stereotypes

When more women had employment in urban areas, this decreased stigmatization of female stereotypes. One significant example of this is how, in recent years, many women were elected and placed in top-decision-making political positions. This helps normalize women in places of power and contests the still reigning African patriarchy.

With the third highest urban African population, the Congo implemented reforms to reduce barriers to female economic opportunities. By providing greater economic prosperity, urbanization erodes many stereotypes about women and facilitates political reform.

Areas for Reform

Though sub-Saharan urbanization increases gender equality in many dimensions, there are still many problems to address. Around 62% of people live in sub-Saharan African slums. Such slums have scarce education and unsanitary health quality, which disproportionately impact women.

Governments and urbanizing countries should focus on passing economic reforms that eradicate these slums. Meanwhile, powerful countries should invest in urbanizing Africa to ensure that, eventually, people can leave the slums. On the education front, sub-Saharan governments should focus specifically on girls-only schools to decrease violence from male students and further empower women.

As sub-Saharan Africa continues to urbanize, its female population could finally have a long-deserved sense of equality. After all, bridging the gender gap starts with education and economic opportunity — two of the largest facets of urbanization.

– Ashwin Telang
Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Combating Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Combating poverty in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe region of sub-Saharan Africa encompasses an aggregate of nations with diverse geographies, histories and cultures. Furthermore, the countries composing sub-Saharan Africa have diverse needs. From unaffordable health care to regional conflict, the issues besetting sub-Saharan Africa have left many of its inhabitants in poverty. Fortunately, philanthropic organizations have stepped up to the plate to remedy the many challenges affecting sub-Saharan Africa. Three organizations, in particular, have shown that there is not a universal methodology for combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the World Bank, in 2017, two-thirds of the “global extreme poor population” lived in sub-Saharan Africa. While poverty is actually slowly declining in the region, a rapid rise in population growth is stalling a reduction in the number of impoverished people in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, there are differences among sub-Saharan Africa’s constituent countries. According to the World Bank’s 2018 data, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 73% of people lived on less than $1.90 per day, the international poverty line. Additionally, the World Bank predicted that 27% of Ethiopians lived below the international poverty line in 2019. Finally, a 2020 U.N. report indicates that 18.9% of South Africans live on less than $1.90 a day.

Agrarian Communities “Grow Together” with Nanmo

Nanmo is an Arabic word meaning “growing together.” This word is the spirit of the partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Qatar Fund for Development’s $200 million investment in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nanmo’s goal is to provide adaptive ways for rural farmers, especially women, to respond to climate-related difficulties. Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, told the Gulf Times that a “Majority of the poorest living in sub-Saharan Africa are the rural folk. They depend on agriculture…in parts of the world that are seeing much greater temperature fluctuation with frequent floods or frequent droughts.” The collaborative organization gives agrarian communities innovative technologies that can bolster their pathway to food security.

Suzman said that Nanmo was not confined to one country. However, a pilot program in Nigeria and Ethiopia showed an auspicious sign for the future of Nanmo in combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Efficiency for Access: Ameliorating Poverty through Clean Energy Solutions

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 600 million people lack a connection to their country’s energy grid. Efficiency for Access, a coalition coordinated by CLASP and Energy Saving Trust, is working to bring life-changing, clean-energy appliances to vulnerable communities.

Bridging the gap between those on and off the energy grid could lead to improved agricultural productivity and thus poverty alleviation. Mike Maina from CLASP told FairPlanet that “In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% to 70% of the population is involved in agricultural livelihoods with the least mechanization in the world. This is a region where using renewable energy can have a big impact, especially on low-income populations.”

In addition to agricultural appliances like solar water pumps, Efficiency for Access also supplies products such as solar-powered refrigerators, electric pressure cookers and fans. As CLASP conveyed to FairPlanet, its theory is to provide people with a livelihood and not just a light bulb.

Zoetis Provides Veterinary Care to Farmers’ Livestock

Despite sub-Saharan Africa’s sizable livestock population, it has the “lowest productivity per animal” of any region. According to Poultry World, Zoetis, an animal health company, is improving the health of livestock through its A.L.P.H.A. initiative. Inaugurated in 2017, this program provides accessible veterinary services to farmers across the region.

Throughout its five years in operation, Zoetis has worked with 128 million animals and educated 26,000 individuals, according to Poultry World. By supplying inoculations and medical training to communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the African Livestock Health and Productivity Advancement program has been a boon for food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Zoetis’s activity in the region has enabled African communities to produce safer food while reducing the economic burden of raising livestock. Thus, the A.L.P.H.A. initiative has been successfully combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Glimpse into the Region’s Future

These three organizations are just some of the numerous charitable entities working on combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. While these organizations exemplify a propitious future for the region, it still requires more work.

Governments and NGOs alike need to work in harmony to ensure that the region’s sundry needs are met. However, these three organizations demonstrate that there is no “one size fits all” approach to combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the need for more concerted and adaptable action on behalf of the world’s poor, these three organizations provide a bright glimpse into the future for sub-Saharan Africa.

– Alexander Portner
Photo: Flickr

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Enuma Improves Education Programs

Enuma improves proficiency levels A 2017 report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reveals that around “617 million children and adolescents worldwide are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.” This means that 56% “of all children won’t be able to read or handle mathematics with proficiency by the time they are of age to complete primary education” and 6% of adolescents will not “achieve minimum proficiency levels when they should be completing lower secondary school.” These statistics indicate an educational crisis that could put an entire generation at risk and endanger global development goals. Enuma improves education programs and aims to increase minimum proficiency levels in disadvantaged areas throughout the world.

School-Aged Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 200 million children are not achieving minimum proficiency in reading. In this region, about “88% of all children and adolescents will not be able to read proficiently by the time they are of age to complete primary and lower secondary education.” This deficiency disproportionately impacts girls as 90% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa will not “meet minimum proficiency levels in reading by the time they are of age to complete primary education.”

Of the 387 million primary-age children who cannot read proficiently, around 65% are enrolled in school. Nearly 137 million adolescents of lower secondary age who are in classrooms are still not proficient in reading. The UNESCO report indicates that poor quality education is a major cause of the problem.

The Power of Quality Education

Another UNESCO report reveals that close to 60 million people could rise out of poverty if every adult had two additional years of quality education. If all adults finished high school, 420 million people could rise out of poverty, thereby reducing the percentage of indigent people by more than 50% globally and by around 66% in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. These statistics highlight the power of education as a tool for global poverty reduction as education provides a gateway to skilled and higher-paying jobs.

Enuma’s Kitkit School Program

Enuma improves education by working to address the issue of children’s low proficiency in math and reading. Co-founded in 2012 by CEO Sooinn Lee and Chief Engineer Gunho Lee, Enuma empowers school children, particularly those with special needs, to be independent learners. Through educational research, the organization takes a unique approach to software design for learning. Enuma’s Kitkit School program supports universal access and quality learning for all children, regardless of their location, while prioritizing those who lack the opportunity to improve proficiency levels in math and reading.

Based on an open-sourced code, Kitkit School researchers revise the program constantly to improve its learning efficacy, ensuring that the software is responsive to needs in new languages and contexts. Students can access Kitkit School anywhere, meaning every child can take advantage of Enuma’s educational opportunities. The program’s design engages and empowers early learners and eliminates barriers to learning success.

Kitkit School Program Impact

Along with Imagine Worldwide and the International Rescue Committee, Enuma is “bringing Kitkit School for Rohingya Learners to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.” Fleeing Myanmar, more than 900,000 Rohingya have found refuge in Cox’s Bazar. More than 50% of the refugees are children or teenagers, most of whom have never attended school.

Looking to Tanzania, where about 23% of school-aged children aged 7 to 13 are not attending school, Kitkit School improved learning outcomes both at home and in school. In Kenya’s Kalobeyei Settlement of the Kakuma Refugee Settlement, “Xavier Project partnered with Enuma to improve access to quality education for 240 refugee and host community children,” increasing test scores and proficiency levels in math and reading.

In addition, Enuma improves education by forming partnerships, one of which is with Good Neighbors Rwanda to provide remote learning software to children at Kagina Primary School in Kagina, Rwanda. This effort has improved the children’s basic math skills and literacy.

Strategic Partners for Literacy Programs

Starting with Indonesia in 2021, Enuma is finding strategic partners to develop and distribute its software in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Enuma plans to release its literacy module free to the public while enabling its partners to run literacy programs around the globe.

Enuma’s Kitkit School software co-won the Global Learning XPRIZE in 2019 for its ability to support children’s independent learning in low-resource locations. Helping children in East Africa, South Asia and Korea, the Kitkit School program became the 2020 winner of the United Nations’ STI Forum Call for Innovations that advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Given the clear link between poverty and lack of education, Enuma’s learning programs represent a move in the right direction for children around the world.

– Sarah Betuel
Photo: Flickr