scholarly journals Sub-Saharan Africa’s rail freight transport system: Potential impact of densification on cost

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneke De Bod ◽  
Jan Havenga
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Rail Freight ◽  
Optimal Balance ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Significant Cost Reduction ◽  
Ssa Countries

The main response to sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) challenges has been foreign aid. Yet, despite the large amounts received, the challenges remain. There is an opportunity to consider a different model with less focus on aid and more on investment. In the transport sector specifically, investment decisions should be informed by a longterm optimal balance between different transport modes. The research presented in this paper highlights the significant cost reduction opportunities possible through the densification of rail freight, especially over longer distances, with concomitant implications for increased profitability for rail operators. The densification opportunity should also place a core focus on transport corridors being developed throughout the region. SSA countries themselves can play a critical role in unlocking this potential through, inter alia, simplifying regional economic communities and taking the lead in structuring agreements with the international community.

scholarly journals Potential impact of traffic densification on rail freight transport cost in Sub-Saharan Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 508-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneke de Bod ◽  
Jan Hendrik Havenga ◽  
W.J. Pienaar
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Transport Cost ◽  
Rail Freight ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Significant Cost Reduction ◽  
Ssa Countries

This article highlights the significant cost-reduction opportunities possible through the densification of rail freight traffic, especially over longer distances, and the concomitant implications for increased profitability for railway organisations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Densification opportunities should also focus on the development of transport corridors throughout the region. SSA countries themselves can play a critical role in unlocking this potential by, inter alia, simplifying regional economic agreements. As with most other initiatives in SSA, unlocking this potential will require efficient cross-country collaboration.

Effect of foreign aid on corruption: evidence from Sub-Saharan African countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Rashid Mohamed ◽  
Shivee Ranjanee Kaliappan ◽  
Normaz Wana Ismail ◽  
W.N.W Azman-Saini
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Alternative Measure ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ssa Countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of foreign aid on corruption in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Foreign aid is aimed to promote economic growth by complementing the recipient country’s shortfall of financial resource. However, if the recipient country’s quality of governance and institutions is poor, the process of growth will be undermined. Since foreign aid to SSA countries has been increasing substantially in recent years, it is imperative to explore its impact on the level of corruption in the SSA countries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted to use a Quantile regression (QR) approach to examine the impact of foreign aid on corruption. The data cover from the year 2000 to 2010 for 42 Sub-Saharan countries. QR is appropriate to achieve the stated objective because the method enables to examine the effect of aid on at different level of corruption. Findings – The paper provides empirical insights on the impact of foreign aid on corruption level in SSA countries. The finding indicates that foreign aid has reduction effect on the corruption level of SSA countries. The effect is likely to be greater in nations that experience a higher level of corruption. The findings further reveal that aid from different bilateral sources has different effect on corruption. As a whole, the findings are statistically significant and robust to alternative measure of corruption. Research limitations/implications – Since the study just focus on Sub-Saharan African countries, the research findings may lack generalization to the entire African countries or poor developing countries that are receiving substantial amount of foreign aid. Therefore, future research should incorporate all the African countries or all poor developing countries. Practical implications – Since the empirical findings reveals that aid reduces the corruption level and aid from different bilateral source have different effect on corruption, it is important to establish more cooperation between donor countries in allocating aid. The conditions attached to aid should be, among other things, be related with improvement of governance and institutional environment. Allocation of aid should be selective such that countries in institutional quality should be among the important criteria for a country to qualify for aid. Originality/value – This paper fulfills the need to study the relationship between foreign aid and corruption in the case of SSA countries. The aid-corruption nexus is relatively under explored issue especially in the case African countries.

scholarly journals Snapshot of photovoltaics − February 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnulf Jäger-Waldau
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Significant Cost Reduction

Solar photovoltaic electricity generation is the fastest growing power generation source world-wide. The significant cost reduction of solar PV over the last decade, and the zero fuel cost volatility have increased the attractiveness. In 2017, the newly installed solar PV power of over 90 GW was more than all the world-wide cumulative installed PV capacity until the mid of 2012. China was again the main driver behind this strong growth with more than 50 GW of annual installations in 2017. Apart from the electricity sector, renewable energy sources for the generation of heat and environmental friendly synthetic-fuels for the transport sector will become more and more important in the future.

scholarly journals A Review of Energy Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Transition Pathway to Energy Democracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2128
Author(s):  
Amollo Ambole ◽  
Kweku Koranteng ◽  
Peris Njoroge ◽  
Douglas Logedi Luhangala
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Global North ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Energy Justice ◽  
Design Proposal ◽  
Ssa Countries

Energy communities have received considerable attention in the Global North, especially in Europe, due to their potential for achieving sustainable energy transitions. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), energy communities have received less attention partly due to the nascent energy systems in many emerging SSA states. In this paper, we argue that these nascent energy systems offer an opportunity to co-create energy communities that can tackle the energy access challenges faced by most SSA countries. To understand how such energy communities are realised in the sub-region, we undertake a systematic review of research on energy communities in 46 SSA countries. Our findings show that only a few energy projects exhibit the conventional characteristics of energy communities; In most of these projects, local communities are inadequately resourced to institute and manage their own projects. We thus look to stakeholder engagement approaches to propose co-design as a strategy for strengthening energy communities in SSA. We further embed our co-design proposal in energy democracy thinking to argue that energy communities can be a pathway towards equity and energy justice in SSA. We conclude that energy communities can indeed contribute to improving energy access in Africa, but they need an enabling policy environment to foster their growth and sustainability.

scholarly journals Household structure, maternal characteristics and children’s stunting in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from 35 countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Olanrewaju Oladimeji ◽  
Emmanuel Kolawole Odusina ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit
Keyword(s):  
Birth Interval ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Household Structure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Childhood Stunting

Abstract Background Adequate nutrition in early childhood is a necessity to achieve healthy growth and development, as well as a strong immune system and good cognitive development. The period from conception to infancy is especially vital for optimal physical growth, health and development. In this study we examined the influence of household structure on stunting in children <5 yrs of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Methods Demographic and Health Survey data from birth histories in 35 SSA countries were used in this study. The total sample of children born within the 5 yrs before the surveys (2008 and 2018) was 384 928. Children whose height-for-age z-score throughout was <−2 SDs from the median of the WHO reference population were considered stunted. Percentages and χ2 tests were used to explore prevalence and bivariate associations of stunting. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to stunted children. All statistical tests were conducted at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results More than one-third of children in SSA countries were reportedly stunted. The leading countries include Burundi (55.9%), Madagascar (50.1%), Niger (43.9%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (42.7%). The percentage of stunted children was higher among males than females and among rural children than their urban counterparts in SSA countries. Children from polygamous families and from mothers who had been in multiple unions had a 5% increase in stunting compared with children from monogamous families and mothers who had only one union (AOR 1.05 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.09]). Furthermore, rural children were 1.23 times as likely to be stunted compared with urban children (AOR 1.23 [95% CI 1.16 to 1.29]). Children having a <24-mo preceding birth interval were 1.32 times as likely to be stunted compared with first births (AOR 1.32 [95% CI 1.26 to 1.38]). In addition, there was a 2% increase in stunted children for every unit increase in the age (mo) of children (AOR 1.02 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.02]). Multiple-birth children were 2.09 times as likely to be stunted compared with a singleton (AOR 2.09 [95% CI 1.91 to 2.28]). Conclusions The study revealed that more than one-third of children were stunted in SSA countries. Risk factors for childhood stunting were also identified. Effective interventions targeting factors associated with childhood stunting, such as maternal education, advanced maternal age, male sex, child’s age, longer birth interval, multiple-birth polygamy, improved household wealth and history of mothers’ involvement in multiple unions, are required to reduce childhood stunting in the region.

scholarly journals Non-prescription dispensing of antibiotic agents among community drug retail outlets in Sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sewunet Admasu Belachew ◽  
Lisa Hall ◽  
Linda A. Selvey
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Acute Diarrhoea ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Ssa Countries

Abstract Background The development of antimicrobial resistance, which is partially attributable to the overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics in health care, is one of the greatest global public health challenges. In Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, non-prescribed dispensing of antibiotics in community drug retail outlets (CDROs) has been flagged as one of the contributing factors for the widespread misuse of antibiotics in the community. Objective The current review aimed to estimate the proportion of non-prescription antibiotics requests or consultations that resulted in provision of antibiotics without a valid prescription among CDROs in SSA region, and describe the type of antibiotics dispensed. Methods A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar. We also searched reference lists of relevant articles. Random effect model meta-analysis was employed to determine the pooled proportion of over the counter sale of antibiotics. Subgroup and meta-regression was undertaken to explore the potential cause of heterogeneity in effect size across studies. Results Of 671 total citations retrieved, 23 met the inclusion criteria (seven cross-sectional questionnaire-based surveys and 16 cross-sectional client-based studies). The overall pooled proportion of non-prescription antibiotics requests or consultations that resulted in supply of antibiotics without prescription was 69% (95% CI 58–80). Upper respiratory tract infections and/or acute diarrhoea were the most frequently presented case scenarios, and amoxicillin and co-trimoxazole were the most frequently dispensed antibiotics to treat those symptoms. Conclusions Non-prescribed dispensing of antibiotics was found to be a common practice among CDROs in several SSA countries. Ease of access to and overuse of antibiotics can potentially accelerate the emergence of resistance to antibiotics available in the region. Our review highlights the need for a stringent enforcement of existing policies and/or enacting new regulatory frameworks that would regulate antibiotic supply, and training and educational support for pharmacy personnel (e.g. pharmacists, pharmacy assistants) regarding judicious use of antibiotics and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.

Banking technology and cashless economy in selected Sub-Saharan African countries: does education matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ese Urhie ◽  
Ogechi Chiagozie Amonu ◽  
Chiderah Mbah ◽  
Olabanji Olukayode Ewetan ◽  
Oluwatoyin Augustina Matthew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Panel Study ◽  
Positive Sign ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bank Branches ◽  
Mobile Cellular ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to analyze the effect of banking technology [automated teller machine (ATM) and mobile cellular devices (MOBs)] and other traditional factors on the level of currency in circulation for a sample of 21 selected sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. It also assessed the mitigating effect of education on the relationship between banking technology and the cashless economy. Design/methodology/approach The study used a panel data approach to design a cashless economy model with banking technology – ATM and MOBs – as well as their interaction with education as regressors. Findings This study finds that MOB is significant for promoting a cashless economy, whereas ATM is insignificant in sample SSA countries. The level of education and the number of bank branches were also found to be significant in promoting a cashless economy. The interaction between education and ATM was insignificant but negatively signed, whereas that between education and MOB was significant but had a positive sign. Research limitations/implications Non-availability of data restricted this work to a panel study of selected SSA countries. Subsequent studies should consider single-country case studies. Practical implications Findings from the study imply that for banking technology to drive a cashless economy effectively, education has to be improved. Originality/value The ratio of cash in circulation to total money supply was used as a measure of the cashless economy. The study also evaluated the moderating effect of education on banking technology.

Preconception Care in Sub Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Prevalence and Its Correlation With Knowledge Level Among Women in Reproductive Age Group

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demelash Woldeyohannes ◽  
Yohannes Tekalegn ◽  
Biniyam Sahiledengle ◽  
Desta Erkalo ◽  
Zeleke Hailemariam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preconception Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Reproductive Age Group

Abstract BackgroundThe aim of the preconception care (PCC) is to promote the health of women in the reproductive age before the conception in order to reduce preventable poor pregnancy outcomes. Although there are several published primary studies from Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries on PCC, they do not quantify the extent of PCC Utilisation, Knowledge level about PCC and the association between them among women in the reproductive age group in this region. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled utilisation of PCC, Pooled knowledge level about PCC and their association among women in the reproductive age group in Sub Saharan Africa.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari, Google Scholar and Cochrane library were systematically searched for literature. Additionally, the references of appended articles were checked for further possible sources. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 tests were used to assess the heterogeneity of the included studies. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate pooled the prevalence of PCC, knowledge level of PCC and their correlation among reproductive aged women in Sub-Saharan African countries.ResultsOf the identified 1593 articles, 20 studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled utilisation of PCC and good knowledge level towards PCC among women of reproductive age group in Sub Saharan Africa were found to be 24.05% (95% CI: 16.61, 31.49) and 33.27% (95% CI: 24.78, 41.77), respectively. Women in the reproductive age group with good knowledge level were two times more likely to utilize the PCC than the women with poor knowledge level in Sub Saharan Africa (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.76). ConclusionIn SSA Countries, the utilisation of PCC and knowledge towards PCC were low. Additionally, the current meta-analysis found good knowledge level to be significantly associated with utilisation of PCC among women in the reproductive age. These findings indicate that, it is imperative to launch programs to uplift knowledge level about PCC utilisation among women in reproductive age group in SSA countries.

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