scholarly journals Prospects for sustainable intensification of soybean production in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-371
Author(s):  
Deepayan Debnath ◽  
◽  
Suresh Babu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Livestock Industry ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Production ◽  
Soy Meal ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

There is a significant soybean yield gap in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Sustainable intensification of the agricultural sector to reduce such a yield gap is important. Increasing soybean productivity can meet the growing demand for food and feed when complemented with higher soy meal demand by the local livestock industry. This study performs an ex-ante economic analysis to determine the effect of higher soybean production on trade and land use within SSA countries. We find that increasing soybean yield by 50% can increase the total returns from soybean production by 186 million LC (local currency) in Ethiopia and 36 billion LC in Nigeria. We show that soybean yield growth alone is enough to boost soy oil production, as the crushing of the beans produces 18% oil and 79% meal. While increasing productivity may lead to freeing land to produce high-valued cash crops, investors will be reluctant to invest in the crushing facilities in the absence of soy meal demand by the livestock industry. Therefore, policymakers need to establish collaboration between development organisations, private companies, farmers and researchers to achieve this transformation and thereby raise agricultural productivity.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Shallow groundwater in sub-Saharan Africa: neglected opportunity for sustainable intensification of small-scale agriculture?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gowing ◽  
Geoff Parkin ◽  
Nathan Forsythe ◽  
David Walker ◽  
Alemseged Tamiru Haile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Abstract. There is a need for an evidence-based approach to identify how best to support development of groundwater for small scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We argue that it is important to focus this effort on shallow groundwater resources which are most likely to be used by poor rural communities in SSA. However, it is important to consider constraints, since shallow groundwater resources are likely to be vulnerable to over-exploitation and climatic variability. We examine here the opportunities and constraints and draw upon evidence from Ethiopia. We present a methodology for assessing and interpreting available shallow groundwater resources and argue that participatory monitoring of local water resources is desirable and feasible. We consider possib le models for developing distributed small-scale irrigation and assess its technical feasibility. Because of power limits on water lifting and also because of available technology for well construction, groundwater at depths of 50 m or 60 m cannot be regarded as easily accessible for small-scale irrigation. We therefore adopt a working definition of shallow groundwater as < 20 m depth. This detailed case study in the Dangila woreda in Ethiopia explores the feasibility of exploiting shallow groundwater for small-scale irrigation over a range of rainfall conditions. Variability of rainfall over the study period (9 % to 96 % probability of non-exceedance) does not translate into equivalent variability in groundwater levels and river baseflow. Groundwater levels, monitored by local communities, persist into the dry season to at least the end of December in most shallow wells, indicating that groundwater is available for irrigation use after the cessation of the wet season. Arguments historically put forward against the promotion of groundwater use for agriculture in SSA on the basis that aquifers are unproductive and irrigation will have unacceptable impacts on wetlands and other groundwater-dependent ecosystems appear exaggerated. It would be unwise to generalise from this case study to the whole of SSA, but useful insights into the wider issues are revealed by the case study approach. We believe there is a case for arguing that shallow groundwater in sub-Saharan Africa represents a neglected opportunity for sustainable intensification of small-scale agriculture.

Cross-Border Funding and Microfinance Mission Drift: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-40
Author(s):  
Akem Forkusam
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Mission Drift ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Ssa Countries

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has become the top priority for international funders and they are now increasing their cross-border funding to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the region. This foreign funding is considered an additional source of capital for MFIs in the region who are facing difficulties in meeting the demand of the poor. However, these funds are provided by public and private funders who each have different motives. The paper examines the impact of these different sources of funding on microfinance performance and mission drift in SSA, which is the world’s poorest region. The study utilizes data from 212 MFIs in 30 SSA countries accessed over a three-year period (i.e. 2007, 2009, and 2011). The findings show that cross-border funding does not affect either the social or financial performance of MFIs when time and country effects are accounted for.

An Overview of Population Growth and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 480-499
Author(s):  
Vincent Sebastian Pande ◽  
Neema Penance Kumburu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Realistic Approach ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Development efforts in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are harmed by a combination of many factors, high rates of population growth being among of them. Despite the strong links between population and sustainable development, these issues were not a priority in broader development policies and strategies in SSA. Population and sustainable development had been often addressed separately at policy and programme levels. Despite the fact that decision makers in these countries recognize the importance of population issues for sustainable development, these issues are rarely worked on together, limiting the payoff that could result from integrating the two. This chapter, therefore, re-examines and relates these two concepts to see their compatibility and provides a more realistic approach in converting population growth into economic gains for future development of SSA countries and Africa in general.

Social, Political, and Environmental Impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 183-219
Author(s):  
Rhys Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Ssa Countries

Some of the most controversial aspects of China’s economic presence in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) relate to the social, political, and environmental impacts. Many of the claims that are made are based on anecdotal evidence, and there is a need for more systematic research on these aspects. In terms of social impacts, the chapter discusses employment, wages, working conditions, and labour rights. Political issues addressed include claims that China’s involvement supports authoritarian regimes, encourages corruption, and leads to conflict and political instability. These claims are not generally supported, and SSA countries have benefitted from the increased policy space that Chinese involvement gives them. The environmental effects of both increased exports to China and the activities of Chinese firms in SSA are analyzed. Contrasting case studies illustrate the negative impacts of China on forestry, and the positive effects of Chinese support for wind and solar power.

The nexus between economic institutions and unemployment: evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi Abdulhakeem Kilishi ◽  
Hammed Adesola Adebowale ◽  
Sodiq Abiodun Oladipupo
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Institutions ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the nexus between economic institutions (EI) and unemployment in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Specifically, the paper examines the impact of aggregate EI and ten different components of institutions on total, male and female unemployment in SSA. Design/methodology/approach The paper used unbalanced panel data of 37 SSA countries covering the period between 1995 and 2018. A dynamic heterogenous panel data model is specified for the study. Two alternative estimation techniques of dynamic fixed effect and pool mean group methods were used to estimate the models. The choice of appropriate method is based on Hausman specification test. Findings The findings reveal that aggregate EI and institutions related to the monetary system, trade flows, government spending and fiscal process significantly lead to less unemployment in the long-run. However, there is no evidence of a significant relationship between EI and unemployment in the short-run. These findings are consistent for total, male and female unemployment, respectively. Practical implications To reduce unemployment significantly in the long run, policymakers in SSA need to build more market-friendly institutions that will incentivize private investment, allow free movement of labour and goods, as well as guarantee a stable macroeconomic environment and efficient fiscal system. Originality/value Most of the existing studies focused on the influence of labour market institutions on unemployment ignoring the effects of other forms of institutions. While available studies on the link between institutions and unemployment used either OECD or other developed countries sample, with scanty evidence from Africa. However, the effects of EI could vary across regions. Thus, generalizing the findings from developed countries for SSA countries and other developing countries may be misleading. Hence, this paper contributes to the existing literature by examining the nexus between different types of EI and unemployment using the SSA sample.

scholarly journals Adherence to Iron Supplementation in 22 Sub-Saharan African Countries and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women: A Large Population-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Djibril M Ba ◽  
Paddy Ssentongo ◽  
Kristen H Kjerulff ◽  
Muzi Na ◽  
Guodong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Iron Supplementation ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Antenatal Visits

ABSTRACT Background Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and is associated with serious adverse health outcomes. Although it is recommended that all women receive iron supplementation during pregnancy, little research has been conducted to measure overall compliance with this recommendation or variation across SSA countries. Objectives To assess prevalence and sociodemographic-economic factors associated with adherence to iron supplementation among pregnant women in SSA. Methods This was a weighted population-based cross-sectional study of 148,528 pregnant women aged 15–49 y in 22 SSA countries that participated in the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in 2013–2018 and measured iron supplementation during pregnancy. Adherence to iron supplementation was defined as using iron supplementation for ≥90 d during pregnancy of the most recent birth. Results The overall prevalence of adherence to ≥90 d of iron supplementation during pregnancy was 28.7%, ranging from 1.4% in Burundi to 73.0% in Senegal. Factors associated with adherence included receiving ≥4 antenatal care visits [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR): 25.73; 95% CI: 22.36, 29.60] compared with no antenatal visits; secondary or higher education (aPR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.19) compared with no education; wealthy (aPR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.16) compared with poor; and older women aged 35–49 y (aPR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.10) compared with younger women aged 15–24 y. Conclusions Adherence to iron supplementation during pregnancy in SSA is low and varies substantially across countries and in relation to factors such as number of antenatal visits, education, and level of family wealth. These results underscore the need for increased efforts to improve the uptake of iron supplementation for pregnant women in SSA.

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