Africa Renewal: April 2021
Human Rights
Rwanda at the UN: Vaccine equity, inclusion, peace, and gender equality top our priorities
— Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations.
Remembering the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 27 years later
We need to transform history into lessons relevant to our societies today
Economic Development
AfCFTA: 100 days since start of free trading, prospects seem bright
Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area kicked off on 1 January. The coming months will likely witness a convergence of fruitful outcomes of multiple moving parts.
Gender
Chad at the UN: Determined to have African voices heard in international forums
— Ambassador Ammo Aziza Baroud is the Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN in New York. She talks about her priorities and the importance of women’s empowerment.
Health
Nigeria: COVID-19 vaccine rollout kicks off in Africa’s most populous country
First batch of COVAX vaccines arrived in March, country aims to inoculate 70% of 200 million people by 2022.
Sustainable development
COVID-19: Investing in social protection critical for Africa to build back better
Providing cash and food could reduce people’s vulnerability and promote greater equality, says UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Empowerment
What’s in an African cabbage? A lot, says researcher
Sylvia Wairimu Maina (from Kenya)?talks about her doctoral?research on the nutritional benefits of the African cabbage.
Tackling one of Africa’s greatest enemies – drought
Susan Ojochide (from Nigeria) talks about her research that will help to alleviate food insecurity in semi-arid areas.
Unlocking the true potential of ‘false banana'
Selamawit Araya Kidane (from Ethiopia) talks about her research on the nutritional benefits of the Enset plant.
Using Artificial Intelligence to transform agriculture in Africa
Fatoumata Thiam (from Senegal) talks about her groundbreaking research that assesses?energy efficiency in irrigation networks.
Combating violence
Sierra Leone: Two friends walk 500 km in campaign against rape
Sierra Leonean Hindola Pokawa, 43, and his American friend, Dustyn Montgomery, 23, walked for 21 days through different towns to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
Culture
Grammy Awards 2021: Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy wins global award
Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, won the Best Global Music Album award for his album ‘Twice as Tall’, a first for a Nigerian as a solo artist.
Trade
Africans urged to trade more with each other
A 2021 study by the UN Economic Commission for Africa on regional integration says EU takes biggest share of African trade.
coronavirus
Africa’s post-COVID-19 recovery: a race or a marathon?
The list of efforts countries will have to make to mitigate the pandemic impact is very long.
In a northern Benin hospital, a female doctor takes reins against COVID-19
Dr. Rokhiatou Babio is one of the few women in her country spearheading a medical team on the COVID-19 frontline.
Africa can take a shot at own COVID-19 vaccine
Countries need to invest in research and ratify African Medicines Agency treaty to regulate manufacture of home-grown medical products.