The relationship between inequality and economic growth is a complex one, especially in Africa. Inequality is the result of a host of factors, including policy choices, institutional legacies and power structures that favour elites. Professor Imraan Valodia, director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies spoke to Ernest Aryeetey, emeritus professor of Development Economics at…
The UK is moving to lower its voting age from 18 to 16. The new legislation takes effect ahead of the country’s next general election in 2029, and is aimed at boosting its democracy. The move has ignited global debate: should 16-year-olds be trusted with the ballot? For African countries, where young people make up…
On Tuesday, Israel launched a targeted air strike on a Hamas leadership compound in Qatar’s capital, Doha, during a meeting to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire for Gaza. The strike killed six people, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, the director of al-Hayya’s office, three bodyguards and a Qatari security officer. However, its…
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, professor Blade Nzimande, has used the GovTech 2025 Conference, held in Durban, to highlight the challenges faced by many developing countries in adopting new technologies. “Many countries in the developing world are struggling to address their national priorities due to problems such as the slow, uneven and discordant adoption…
Over 63 million East Africans experienced severe hunger in 2024 and 40% lack access to safe drinking water. East African countries collectively contribute a tiny 0.09% of the global carbon emissions but are some of the worst-hit by the global climate crisis. Appeals for humanitarian assistance doubled from $3.1 billion to $6.1 billion during the…
Contraception, or birth control, can take a number of forms including drugs, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy. Methods can be long-acting or short-acting. Obasanjo Bolarinwa, who teaches public health and global healthcare management, unpacks his research into the use of long-acting contraceptives among sexually active women in 26 sub-Saharan African countries. What are the…
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 27, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters President Donald Trump vowed Monday to impose “substantial” new tariffs and restrict U.S. chip exports for all countries that do not remove digital taxes and related regulations. Trump wrote on Truth Social…
Gebze, Türkiye — Artificial intelligence and the use of frontier technologies are already transforming trade and boosting prosperity, particularly for developed and some developing countries. This ranges from the digital exchange of documents, the digitalisation of trade processes and leveraging online platforms to fast-track cross-border trade. The rapid adoption of new technologies will further consolidate…
Russia on Wednesday became the latest country to restrict some WhatsApp calls, accusing the Meta-owned platform of failing to share information in fraud and terrorism cases. Here is a list of nations restricting WhatsApp: Fully blocked China started blocking WhatsApp in 2017, using its so-called Great Firewall to filter and block traffic with overseas servers….
A program that lets Americans save time in airport security lines is opening to foreign travelers from four countries. Clear, a NYSE-listed identity company, announced Friday that travelers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can apply for Clear+ memberships. More countries will likely be announced later this year, the company said. Clear+…
