African Development

Science & Technology

Africa’s AI ambitions face structural tests, Nairobi summit concludes

AI Everything Kenya concluded with warnings on patent gaps, declining public trust, and the challenge of scaling African startups
A presenter speaks before a room of conference goers at the AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya Conference in Nairobi, held between 19 and 21 May 2026
Science & Technology

Nairobi hosts East Africa’s largest AI policy gathering as region eyes digital sovereignty

Senior policymakers and global tech leaders convene in Nairobi to shape East Africa's AI strategy and advance digital sovereignty
Close-up of a smartphone screen showing a folder labelled "AI" with icons for ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, Mistral AI, and Poe.
Politics & Policy

Xenophobic sentiment in South Africa reaches highest level in two decades

Economic frustration and electoral politics are driving a sharp rise in hostility towards migrants in South Africa
Anti-immigration demonstrators, wearing traditional Zulu attire, gather to stage a protest in Johannesburg, South Africa on 29 April, 2026. Participants voiced opposition to irregular migration during the demonstration.
EconomyOpinionPolitics & Policy

The Middle East war is hurting Africa. Here is how the continent fights back

As the Middle East war pushes African currencies lower and borrowing costs higher, a Pretoria scholar sets out how the continent must respond
Scattered South African rands notes against a white background.
HealthPolitics & PolicyScience & Technology

US health deals offer Africa money — and take something far more valuable

Eighteen African countries have signed bilateral health deals with the US — but experts flag serious conditions in the fine print
A laboratory technician in white protective gear and a face mask holds a rack of test tubes in a bright, modern molecular biology lab in Mozambique. In the background, another technician works at a large diagnostic machine.
AgricultureEnvironment

Factory farming’s African expansion threatens pastoral traditions and climate goals

Africa's traditional pastoral livestock farming, a centuries-old lifeline, is being supplanted as development banks pivot funds towards industrial, mass-scale production
A herd of cows standing side by side in pens in a barn.
HealthOpinion

Global Fund: after decades of progress against AIDS, TB and malaria, momentum falters

At a time when the world is on the verge of making incredible progress in reducing AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria-related deaths, some partners have stepped back from the fight
A mother, carrying a baby on her back, getting a vaccine from a USAID mobile clinic in South Africa
CommoditiesPolitics & Policy

Critical minerals and technology dependency: key G20 issues for Africa

Thirty percent of the world’s critical minerals come from Africa, and their access is a priority for South Africa’s government during its G20 presidency this year
Landscape photograph of a brown mountain
Energy, Oil & GasEnvironment

Why funding nature-based solutions is crucial to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss

Nature-based investments are already profitable and scalable, and could create 395 million jobs by 2030, but receive only 15% of the investment of traditional climate solutions
A river in the city of eThekwini in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. eThekwini is addressing climate risks in the Greater Durban area by restoring rivers and implementing community-led management programmes. In addition to collecting more than 100 tonnes of waste and clearing 98 hectares of invasive species, the nature-based initiative has created more than 1,000 jobs since its launch in 2022.
EconomyOpinionTrade

African countries need to shift from exporting commodities to tapping domestic demand

Recent internal instability and external shocks have created a vicious cycle of economic and financial distress in Africa, raising questions about the continent's ability to shape its own destiny
A panoramic photo shows the rapidly growing sustainable energy network constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District at Toole Army Depot, Utah, March 22, 2016. When the two turbines, solar array, backup generators, battery storage systems, a micro grid and other planned renewable sources are operational, Tooele expects to become net zero by 2020 – going off grid and producing all of its own energy needs.
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