Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from January, 2020
Waterfront communities displaced by forced evictions in Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos' waterfront communities are seen as a public health and safety threat, but to residents who struggle to afford to live on the mainland, they are the only option.
How Zimbabwe's biometric ID scheme — and China’s AI aspirations — threw a wrench in elections
Some citizens were told that if they didn't register and submit their biometrics, they might be barred from voting.
Nigeria's Operation Àmò̩té̩kùn: Was it named after a leopard, cheetah or tiger?
Linguists who study Yorùbá have long taken issue with ascribing meaning of the word àmò̩té̩kùn interchangeably with the leopard, cheetah and tiger.
Africa's creative industries get a half-billion-dollar boost by big banks
“Because of underinvestment in the creative and cultural industries, Africa is largely absent in the global market of ideas, values and aesthetics," said Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank.
Nigeria’s border closure puts a dent in intra-regional trade optimism
Closing Nigeria's land borders to solve the recurrence of smuggling will have a negative economic effect on Nigeria and puts a damper on Africa's much-anticipated intra-regional trade investment agreement.
Red palm fruit flourishes in Côte d'Ivoire, despite national shortage
In the sprawling markets of Côte d'Ivoire, red palm oil is sold in open-air stands in recycled plastic bottles by women. The original red palm tree originates in West Africa.
This Nigerian human rights lawyer wins second order of restraint against government
Lawyer Gloria Ballason has experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, amid a growing crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent in Nigeria.
A regional security intervention in Nigeria sparks ethnic, political tensions
Amotekun may be the litmus test that defines the restructuring of Nigeria's federalism.
Malawi opens the first drone academy in Africa
The African Drone and Data Academy officially opened this month in Malawi — the first of its kind in Africa.
Another #SexForGrades scandal — and the birth of a movement against sexual harassment in Nigeria
In the last few years, Nigerian women have become ferociously vocal against sexual assault of female students. This is growing into a movement with extraordinary on- and offline impact.
Yorùbá loanwords: How languages evolve
Using Yorùbá words in their original forms helps ensure that culture — kept alive through language — continues to thrive.
Nigeria: A failed state — reality or perception?
In addition to threats from Boko Haram, abductions and kidnapping in Nigeria have also become the norm.
Zanzibar says goodbye to legendary ‘king of kidumbak,’ musician Makame Faki
Legendary Zanzibari musician Makame Faki Makame has died at the age of 77. He was hailed as the king of kidumbak and a master of taarab, Zanzibar's "national sound."
New privacy law in Mozambique threatens freedom of expression, activists say
New legislation criminalizes all types of invasion of privacy via mobile phones, and the publication of images or videos of third parties without their consent.
Zanzibar mourns the death of Omani sultan who strengthened historical ties with East Africa
Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman was known to many as a "quiet diplomat" who modernized Oman and restored and strengthened historical ties with Zanzibar and East Africa.
Why is Donald Trump so popular in Nigeria?
Ratings for US President Donald Trump’s handling of world affairs are largely negative around the world. But not in Nigeria.
Will 2020 be the year of the Nigerian girl and woman?
The year 2019 saw major movements to advance the rights of girls and women in Nigeria. Will 2020 continue this momentum?
Sudan needs strong network neutrality laws to match its growing internet boom
As internet access becomes more available to a wider range of Sudanese citizens, a lack of net neutrality regulations means that violations in Sudan occur easily and often.
Deadline looms for biometric SIM card registration in Tanzania
The biometric SIM card registration process means Tanzania joins a growing list of African nations gripped by the biometric data and digital identification revolution in Africa.
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