Researchers say better livestock feed could reduce methane emissions and improve productivity. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, livestock is essential to livelihoods and food security. But cattle, goats, and sheep are also a major source of methane emissions, while farmers struggle with feed shortages and declining productivity. Scientists are now exploring whether climate-smart feed can cut emissions and boost livestock production at the same time. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, re...

Across sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are facing growing pressure from unpredictable rainfall, longer dry spells, and declining soil conditions, making it harder to produce food reliably. Climate-smart agriculture has been promoted as a way to help them adapt, but despite years of research and investment, many farming systems continue to struggle. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, our reporter Michael Kaloki, examines how agricultural science can be better translated into climate re...

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are increasingly losing crops to shifting weather patterns, emerging pests and prolonged dry spells. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are changing the conditions under which food is grown, while gaps in monitoring systems make it harder to track and respond to these threats. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we examine how climate change is accelerating crop loss and what stronger data and climate-informed interventions can offer. ...

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, farmers are losing large portions of their harvest before crops ever reach the market. Pests, droughts and shifting weather patterns are decimating yields, while weak data systems make the crisis even harder to fight. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we look at how better data and stronger plant health systems can help countries respond more effectively. Our reporter, Michael Kaloki begins in Kenya, where cereals remain central to national food security. Ant...

Plant health is quietly shaping what we eat, the diseases we face and how our ecosystems function. But if you look at most One Health discussions, plants barely feature. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, we unpack why that gap exists, why it matters, and what happens when plant health and One Health finally come together. Reporter Justice Baidoo speaks with Solveig Danielsen, a plant health systems expert at the agricultural research organisation CABI (the parent organisation of SciDev...

[SciDev.Net] – Following up on our previous episode that explored the funding disparities faced by women in STEM across Africa, this episode of Africa Science Focus explores the ongoing efforts to foster gender inclusion within science granting councils. In this episode, our reporters Ogechi Ekeanyanwu and Titilope Fadare speak with councils across Africa to understand the steps being taken to build a more inclusive research ecosystem. Thomas Kaluvi, an officer at the National Commission for ...

The 2025 Global Food Policy Report warns that the world could be heading toward another major food crisis. For Africa, the warning is especially urgent. Across the continent, food systems are under pressure from climate change, economic shocks, and political instability. These overlapping challenges are making it harder for governments to respond to rising food needs or invest in long-term solutions. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how research ...

[SciDev.Net] Millions of people parts of Africa are facing record levels of hunger, the UN World Food Programme has warned. Yet at the same time, the region is rapidly losing forests, one of its most valuable food sources. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the rate of forest loss in Africa has been increasing steadily over the last three decades, with 3.94 million hectares lost between 2010 and 2020. These forests are not just biodiversity hotspots, they are vita...

Africa's space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent’s development issues. In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how space research and innovation are being used across the continent. Mary Makuate, a researcher at Cameroon’s Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, shares insights from her experience using satellite data to de...

Africa’s oceans are vital for economic growth, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods. But the costs of plastic pollution in our seas are mounting. The World Bank puts the cost of the damage caused by marine plastic pollution at up to US$33,000 per tonne of plastic waste, in West Africa alone. As pollution worsens, researchers say stronger policies, community engagement, and scientific collaboration can protect marine ecosystems in the region. In this episode of Africa S...