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Hymenaea verrucosa (formerly Trachylobium hornemannianum) is a tree that exudes a resin known as Zanzibar copal in Africa and Sundrus in Unani (Greeko-Arab) medicine. It shows various therapeutic properties such as astringent, anthelminthic, antiobesogenic, antilipidemic and emmenagogue. It has been used in the treatment of obesity, headache, sinusitis, wounds, cataract, otitis, palpitations, worm infestations, taenia, haemorrhage, hyperhidrosis, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, etc. since ancient times. This paper is intended for the documentation of the biological properties of Hymenaea verrucosa and the chemical compounds found in it as it is an indigenous Unani as well as African origin medicinal tree with much potential. This will also prompt the need for scientific clinical studies on its various pharmacological actions as it has not been fully evaluated. Data sources were authentic Unani literature, modern pharmacology books, and published works including various research and review papers available on PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The eligibility criteria were all relevant articles up to 2023 that described the pharmacology and clinical effects of Hymenaea verrucosa. Hymenaea verrucosa resin contains diterpenes and their derivative terpenoids such as caryophyllenes, sesquiterpenes, trachylobanes, kaurenes, diterpene acids, such as trachylolic acid, isotrachylolic acid, α and β selinene, α cubebene, α copaene, α and β resenes, essential oils etc. These constituents have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, metabolic, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiparasitic activities in various in vitro and in vivo studies which conform with the old medical literature. The major limitation is that no in vivo or in vitro study has been conducted using the chemical constituents extracted from the resin. Therefore, this paper discusses the bioequivalence of the chemical components found in Hymenaea verrucosa resin through various studies. Zanzibar copal or Sundrus is a promising drug that has been effectively used in Unani medicine to treat various metabolic and phlegmatic disorders. Many potentially bioactive compounds are found in its resin, but no detailed studies of their biological activity are yet available. Therefore, there is a further need to focus research on Hymenaea verrucosa and its ingredients through advanced scientific methods. [Display omitted] • Sundrus is the resin of hymenaea verrucosa, previously trachylobium hornemannianum. • It has been used to treat obesity, sinusitis, haemorrhage, etc. since ancient times. • Zanzibar copal contains caryophyllene, diterpenes and trachylobanes. • They have apoptotic, antidiabetic, antiobesity and anticancer properties. • It can be concluded that gum copal can be used as a remedy for various ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the role of networks in the spatial diffusion of local economic shocks in Africa. We show that geographic connectivity, along with road and ethnic connectivity, are important for diffusing economic spillovers over longer distances. We then determine the key players, that is, which districts are key in propagating local economic shocks across Africa. Using these results, we conduct counterfactual policy exercises to evaluate the potential gains from policies that increase economic activity in specific districts or improve road connectivity between districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper studies the dynamics of labor productivity convergence and technology catch-up within Africa. • It examines how African countries are catching-up with the local technology frontier from a nonparametric and structural perspectives. • The analysis shows that productivity convergence within Africa is primarily driven by technology catch-up (i.e., efficiency change). • The paper explores the special role of technological catch-up by decomposing it into within-sector convergence, between-sector convergence, and initial specialization. • The results highlight the special role of structural change in closing the productivity gap with the local frontier. This paper studies the dynamics of labor productivity convergence and technology catch-up within Africa, shedding light on two important and inter-related issues that are central to Africa's growth: (i) convergence of relative productivity among African countries and (ii) the role of technological change and technological catch-up in driving productivity change across and within African countries. We do this by using a nonparametric method to estimate an African production frontier. Productivity change in Africa is decomposed into two components: technological change and technological catch-up. Our results show that Botswana and Mauritius are the only two countries in Africa that have converged to the productivity as well as the efficiency level of the frontier. This successful convergence is driven more by technological catch-up and less by technological change. We explore the special role of technological catch-up by decomposing it into within-sector convergence, between-sector convergence and initial specialization using a structural model (Shift and Share catch-up decomposition). The results highlight the special role of structural change in closing the productivity gap with the frontier. This paper contributes to recent evidence suggesting that countries can climb up the income ladder at a faster rate through a two-pronged transformation – i.e., structural change and technological catch-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraoperative neurosurgical adjuncts improve extent of resection whilst mitigating patient morbidity. The delivery of neurosurgical care via these adjuncts is the norm in high-income countries, but there is yet to be a study highlighting the usage of neurosurgical oncology adjuncts in Africa. This paper aims to provide awareness of the use of these adjuncts in Africa, reasons for limited procurement, and possible solutions to the problem. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Semantic derivatives of neurosurgical oncology, adjuncts, and Africa were applied to medical databases. Studies in Africa with outcomes relating to adjunct usage, morbidity, mortality, and quality of life were selected. Book chapters and reviews were excluded. Thirteen studies with 287 patients (0.5 to 74 years) were included in the final analysis. Most studies were cohort observational (46.2%) and originated from South Africa (46.2%). Meningioma was the most prevalent tumor histology (39.4%), and neuronavigation was the most readily used adjunct for surgical resection (30.8%). Using adjuncts, gross total resection was achieved in close to half the patient cohort (49.8%). Limited technology, lack of experience, cost of equipment, and inconsistency in power supply were noted as factors contributing to lack of adjunct usage. Neurosurgical adjuncts provide significant benefits in neurosurgical oncology. There is limited utilization of intraoperative adjuncts in most of Africa owing to limited resources and experienced professionals. Bilateral partnerships with a focus on donation and education will foster safe and sustainable adjunct incorporation in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We assemble a new database of exports at constant prices for 131 countries. • Export growth of decolonised countries negatively related to metropole trade share. • Metropolitan trade shares are significant for post-independence French Africa. • British colonies significant before and after independence. • Colonial trade policy and location were important drivers of the metropole effect. Decolonisation was one of the most important institutional transformations of the twentieth century. Recent work on the effect of decolonisation on bilateral trade has suggested that trade with the ex-metropolis declined significantly after independence. Due to problems related to data quality and coverage, however, there is still no consensus on whether the reduction of colonial dependence encouraged or impeded export growth. In this paper, we argue that metropolitan trade shares proxy for colonial monopsony. Using a new database of exports at constant prices for 131 countries and mean group estimators that control for a range of confounding factors, we find that trade shares with the metropole are negatively associated with export growth, with important differences across metropolitan nationalities and locations. We argue that the significance of the erosion of colonial trade ties for export growth following independence was contingent on the interaction of policy and location during the colonial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The changing structure of households in Africa is challenging the design of micro-level pro-poor policies. • Divorce/separation and widowhood have increased compared to data from 1987/88. • Lower incomes in female-headed households do not lower children's educational investment. • The gender mix of children plays a key role in aggregate household investments for male-headed households, with the financial inclusion of female household heads under 40 years being important for investments in children's education. • Structural changes in female leadership in communities interact with structural changes at the household level. Female headship of households has increased significantly around the world. This paper establishes a link between gender, income, and children's educational investments in an imperfect credit market. We show using a representative household survey from Ghana that, even though there is a positive correlation between income and educational investments, there are expected and unexpected heterogeneities in income and children's educational investments. We find that, whereas income levels for male-headed households with children 6 to 18 years are over 20% higher, female-headed households tend to invest 31% to 38% more on children's education than male-headed households. In imperfect credit markets, higher educational investments could be taking place at the expense of other household outcomes such as food/leisure. Our empirical results show the need for different interventions for different households. We also show how institutional changes that recognize affirmative action can interact with household-level structural changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seriphium plumosum L. is a taxonomically recalcitrant complex of paper daisies distributed in southern Africa. • The complex has been shown to comprise at least seven independent species. • Stoebe burchellii Levyns, Stoebe virgata Thunb. and Stoebe vulgaris Levyns are reinstated in Seriphium. • Four species new to science are described in Seriphium. • Seriphium vulgaris (Levyns) Z.Shaik is the only species in the S. plumosum complex that is an agricultural weed on millions of hectares of South African rangeland. Seriphium plumosum L. from southern Africa has been shown to comprise at least seven distinct species based on analysis of morphological, environmental, and multilocus DNA sequence data. On that evidence, Stoebe burchellii Levyns, Stoebe virgata Thunb., and Stoebe vulgaris Levyns are reinstated in Seriphium , and four new species are described, viz., Seriphium alto-argillaceum Z.Shaik , Se. burrowsii Z.Shaik , Se. crypticum Z.Shaik , and Se. dunensis Z.Shaik. Four of these species are endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, and one is so far known from a single high-elevation locality. We present a key to species in the Seriphium plumosum complex, and for each species provide a formal description with accompanying images, typification and synonymy, with distribution maps based on verified field-collected and herbarium specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, human mpox was predominantly a zoonotic disease occurring more frequently in rural children in Africa and characterized by a largely self-limiting febrile centrifugal monomorphic rash illness. However, the 2022 mpox global outbreak has shown that the disease is changing in many ways, including sustained human-to-human transmission via sexual contact, novel clinical presentations, and adverse associations between mpox and advanced HIV. The aim of this paper is to review the traditional and emerging clinical aspects of human mpox and provide updated information on the clinical course and outcome of the disease. We searched electronic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar and identified relevant published literature on mpox. The clinical presentation of human mpox is influenced by the route of infectious exposure, the strain and dose of the infecting virus, and the host immune system. Exposure to the virus can result in sub-clinical or clinical diseases of variable severity. Infections caused by clade I viral strains are more severe than class IIa and IIb strains, which are associated with a milder febrile rash illness, and with anogenital skin lesions in clade IIb infections. Most cases of mpox recover entirely within 2–4 weeks after onset of illness and a few develop skin-related sequelae. Overall, people with advanced HIV infection, children <5 years of age, and pregnant women may present with more severe disease and higher case fatalities. The continued endemicity of the classical mpox in Africa, the emergence of a new clinical form of the disease during the 2022 global outbreak, and the adverse associations between advanced HIV and mpox have implications for the surveillance, clinical diagnosis, and management of human mpox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is particularly affected by climate change due to its exposure to climate hazards, high vulnerability, and low adaptive capacity. Yet, Africa is also a continent rich in Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) that has a long history of informing responses to climatic variability and change. This paper explores the extent to which ILK has been used in climate change adaptation in Africa. It deploys a bibliometric analysis to describe the connections between ILK and climatic change adaptation in Africa, complemented by an analysis of ILK literature and case studies. We consider four key dimensions of ILK, 1) type, 2) contexts of application, 3) value for adaptation, and 4) outcomes and effects in responses to climate change in Africa. Examples drawn from 19 countries across Africa highlight ILK systems are closely connected with biocultural relationships associated with observed patterns of climate change and where adaptation can be more effective when informed by ILK. This body of knowledge is critical to the delivery of climate change adaptation in Africa. The paper suggests some measures through which ILK may be more widely leveraged, both for improved adaptation outcomes, as well as enhancing the biocultural heritage value of ILK systems across Africa. The study commends the remarkable value of ILK in Africa for climate change adaptation and its value for supplementing climate services, particularly in areas with limited access to modern climate and weather forecasts as well as the encouragement of Indigenous communities to develop senses of ownership and active contribution to the sustainability of the future interventions. • Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation in Africa. • The study commends the remarkable value of ILK in Africa for climate change adaptation. • its value for supplementing climate services particularly in areas with limited access to modern climate. • the paper concludes outlining measures through which ILK may be more widely leveraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Regional integration presents a significant opportunity for African power systems. • Paper describes planning tool for regional power sector integration in Africa. • Model evaluates values of integration under different climate change scenarios. Regional power pools present a significant and potentially defining opportunity for African power systems to develop domestic energy resources, improve system reliability, and contribute to overall economic development. Hydropower is expected to play a significant role in many regional power pools in Africa. Feasible power transmission highways from Grand Inga in Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Grand Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia to other regions on the continent create the possibility of a pan-African electricity grid. However, in the medium and long-term, global climate change is expected to cause major variations in Africa's hydrological resources and it is not known how these changes may impact the value of regional power sector integration. This paper presents a model developed to study the value of different levels of regional integration in sub-Saharan Africa and how this value may change in the face of climate change. This work builds on previous studies by incorporating the ability to trade between different regional pools, co-optimization of generation and transmission, the ability to share reserves, and detailed simulation of the major hydro basins in Africa. Numerical results of the analysis will be presented in a parallel paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After nearly three decades of "ICT for development", the rollout of ICT backbone infrastructure remains challenging throughout Africa. African states do not only depend on the technology of foreign companies but must also seek external finance to pay for it. This dual dependency puts African governments in a vulnerable position, leading us to inquire: to what extent does the dual dependency on foreign finance and technology affect African agency in ICT infrastructure provider choice? The paper proposes a model that distinguishes between the agency of higher and lower income countries. Elaborating on the latter, the model assumes that the source of foreign ICT-related finance (i.e., China, World Bank, both, internal) determines whether the recipient state can exercise a weak, medium, or strong degree of agency in its ICT infrastructure provider choice. The paper further argues that the link between foreign finance and degree of agency is shaped by the digital development agenda of the donor. For instance, the model predicts that countries which predominantly received Chinese ICT finance possess weak agency when choosing an ICT infrastructure provider because China's digital development agenda ties the provision of finance to hiring a Chinese contractor. By examining the ICT-related financial inflows and geographical distribution of network equipment providers in African states, the paper shows that the source of finance affects the degree of agency and, subsequently, the choice of ICT infrastructure provider. However, the analysis also suggests a divide in African agency along former colonial lines. In fact, the model holds only for countries without colonial ties to France whereas former French colonies all contracted Huawei, regardless of ICT finance flows. • Proposes a model for African agency in choice of network equipment provider. • Development finance determines African agency in ICT infrastructure provider choice. • Digital development agendas of donors affect ICT infrastructure provider choice. • Geospatial mapping of fiber-optic cables sets Francophone states apart from others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Later Stone Age of southern Africa sees the succession of varied lithic traditions. The Wilton (8ka BP – second millennium AD) corresponds to the last techno-complex of the LSA in South Africa. It has been typologically recognised over vast geographical areas and seems to last until the progressive disappearance of stone tool industries, while experiencing chronological and geographical variations. While Wilton formal tools, mainly small scrapers and microliths, have received much attention, the ways in which the stone tools themselves were produced are still unknown. This paper provides keys to describe mid-Holocene Wilton microlithic productions at the reference site of Rose Cottage Cave (Free-State). The lithic technological analysis highlights the integrated production of 'ready-made' blanks from one volume, including bladelets. The scraper and backed piece typologies are analysed and reveal an interesting diversity. These results provide a foundation for the building of the technological understanding of the Wilton in southern Africa. This paper ultimately aims to facilitate the exploration of regional and chronological variations at Wilton sites, and, by contrast, to differentiate other lithic traditions in southern Africa. • This paper provides keys for better understanding Wilton lithic technologies in South Africa • The knapping methods allowed for the production of various 'ready-made' blanks from one volume. • Different knapping techniques could have been used within one operational sequence. • The scraper and backed piece typology are more diverse than revealed by previous studies. • The paper provides a base line for future comparative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper analyses the association between participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs) and structural change as measured by the reallocation of labor towards sectors with higher productivity levels and growth rates. • The analysis looks into 40 Developing Economies (DEs) from the regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America during the period 1993–2015. • The evidence so far does not indicate any significant association between participation in GVC-related trade and growth-enhancing structural change in DEs. • Rather, we find some weak evidence suggesting that participation in GVC might be associated with the increasing concentration of labor in sectors experiencing declining productivity growth rates/ and or falling share of employment in sectors experiencing positive productivity growth rates in DEs. Multiple studies on economic transition have argued that participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs) can facilitate the process of structural transformation in developing economies by reallocating labor from less productive to more productive sectors. However, there is a dearth of empirical work investigating the claim. We analyze forty countries from the regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America over the period 1993–2015 to explore the relationship between GVC participation and structural transformation in developing economies. We do not find any significant association between participation in GVCs and structural transformation, as measured by the reallocation of labor towards sectors with higher productivity levels. Rather, we find some evidence that participation in GVCs might be associated with the increasing concentration of labor in sectors experiencing declining productivity growth and /or falling employment in sectors witnessing positive productivity growth, thus contributing towards hindering the process of successful structural transformation in developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the electricity access rate to measure progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal target for universal access to electricity by 2030, about 580 Millions African people lack electricity access. However, globalization offers technological innovation, financial resources and international cooperation opportunities to achieve universal electricity access. This paper investigates whether increasing globalization levels can help achieve the goal of expanding access to electricity services in Africa. The analysis is based on panel data of 36 African countries over the 2000–2017 period and system GMM for empirical estimations. Our findings indicate that economic, social, and political globalization matters for increasing access to electricity. We also find that economic globalization reduces disparities in access to electricity. Further decomposing of economic globalization indicates that financial globalization, FDI and trade openness increase access to electricity. Furthermore, while financial globalization and FDI widen disparities in access to electricity, trade openness negatively affects disparities. The results also indicate that economic growth is one of the important channels through which globalization enhances electricity access. Finally, we carry out sub-regional analyses and find that these patterns are robust across Sub-Saharan African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current energy structure of most economies must be upgraded to a renewable energy source (RES) to help mitigate ecological dilapidation and achieve sustainable development goals. The transition to RES has recently received attention from energy experts, international bodies and environmental scientists. However, there is contrasting evidence on what factors affect the evolution and deployment of RES, especially from the perspective of emerging African economies. Hence, the current analysis sought to explore the influence of economic development (ECD), carbon emission (CEM), human capital (HUC), financial development (FID), and the country's risk factors, such as political risk (POR) and institutional quality (INQ) on the development of RES. The research employed a panel dataset from 1990 to 2020 and used the newest estimation approach of Cross-Sectional Augmented autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) to establish the long-run connection among the variables. The study confirmed the prevalence of the "energy-led ECD hypothesis". In addition, the empirical findings indicated that RES deployment could be facilitated through ECD, CEM, FID and HUC. Moreover, the country's risk factors, which include POR and INQ, had an inverse connection with the deployment of RES. Lastly, there is a unidirectional causality between CEM, FID, HUC, INQ and RES, while a directional causality exists between ECD, POR and RES. The paper highlights a variety of policy angles to help with the expansion of RES in emerging regions. • The study confirmed the prevalence of the "energy-led ECD hypothesis. • RES deployment could be facilitated through ECD, CEM, FID and HUC. • POR and INQ, had an inverse connection with the deployment of RES. • A directional causality exists between ECD, POR and RES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South African Government has for the past two decades spent significant resources on introducing smallholders to Genetically Modified (GM) maize with the aim to make agriculture a way out of poverty. However smallholder farming continues to decline and poverty is on the rise in the country. The present paper aims to explain this failure of the government to support its smallholders by describing the intra-actions between maize, politics and technological development in South African history. Importantly maize is understood here as an agent in that its materialities are not only being impacted by, but are also having impact on the outcome of farming practices and wider political economies. The paper describes how maize, as a result of intra-action between maize biology and choices made by farmers, politicians and breeders during the colonial era and apartheid, developed in parallel as a commodity serving the settler farmers, and an anti-commodity, or escape crop, providing subsistence to marginalised smallholders. While South Africa today is a democracy that spends significant resources on improving smallholder livelihoods, recent technological development and market concentration have increased rather than decreased the gap between commodity- and anti-commodity maize. As a result new GM and hybrid maize varieties introduced to smallholders today are badly equipped to facilitate a crop led New Green Revolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology-based transactions are inseparable from the routine exchange of data. These exchanges may not pose privacy problems until the movement takes extra-territorial turns thereby facing multiple levels of cross-border regulations. In the 80 s, the frequency of transfer of personal data beyond geographical boundaries in Europe precipitated the regulation of transborder data flows (TDF) beginning with the enactment of the Organization for OECD Guidelines. In Africa, the concept of TDF is more complex than usually viewed by the stakeholders and this is partly because neither the African Union nor other regional bodies have introduced legislation on TDF. Like many concepts in data protection, TDF is bereft of a generally accepted meaning. Regardless of the uncertainty, this paper approaches TDF as the transmission of personal data from one country to another country or international entity for the purpose of processing. The paper discusses some definitions of TDF as understood under African regional and national data protection legislation. In a comparative and normative approach, the paper analyses the barriers to TDF in Africa vis a vis the European experience and then concludes with recommendations for workable TDF within and outside the continent from an African perspective beginning with the harmonization of existing regional framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There are complexities of Indigeneity at different spatial scales. • Indigenous claims have become important for natural resource management. • Indigeneity has been increasing resource-related conflicts in many parts of Africa. • Climate change is intensifying human mobility and resource-related conflicts. There is considerable evidence in the literature of the nature of Indigeneity in Africa, yet few studies explore the complexity of definitions of the concept at different spatial scales. This paper builds on existing scholarship by problematizing 'Indigeneity' at both regional and national scales through a critical analysis and synthesis of contemporary literature across sub-Saharan Africa, in association with a specific case study from northern Ghana. In generating the review, the concomitant implications for natural resource management and associated conflicts are analyzed. The paper argues that the definitions and conceptualizations of Indigeneity are heterogeneous with numerous ambiguities and complexities at regional and national scales, which have contemporary implications for both acute and prolonged issues of natural resource allocation and management. Claims of Indigeneity in relation to climate change-driven migration and settlement processes are facilitating support for resource access and utilization, but also generating a myriad of problems linked to overlapping and disputed claims. The ambiguity of claims of Indigeneity by vulnerable individuals and groups also has latent implications. Political misunderstandings or conflicts over natural resources are becoming more widespread across Africa during a period of environmental change. Understanding the complexity of Indigeneity at both regional and national scales will provide important opportunities to inform effective policy for the sustainable and equitable distribution and management of resources in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are inherently complex. This paper contributes to the literature on co-production of knowledge at the interface of science, policy, and society in integrated, transdisciplinary research (TDR) projects. By analysing five projects of the Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 in Africa (LIRA) implemented in nine African cities, the paper identifies the pathways for science-policy-society interactions (SPSI) within the TDR projects, the cross-scale and contextual dynamics influencing the interactions as well as the challenges of foregrounding the interactions. We identified four SPSI pathways: i) TDR processes, ii) explicitly conceptualising and communicating research projects in relation to mandates and policies, iii) the global sustainability agenda, and iv) relationships and networks. We argued that these pathways can be construed as important windows for foregrounding SPSI in TDR projects. Cross-scale dynamics such as the spatial scale of interactions, actors' roles, and purposes of engagement were critical determinants of the intensity and frequency of the interactions between the project actors. The analysis suggests that being context-sensitive is key to foregrounding SPSI in TDR projects. Conceptual threshold crossing, resource intensity, power differentials, discontinuity, as well as a history of academic and practice silos present formidable challenges to SPSI in TDR projects. These challenges can be addressed through the identified pathways, adequate capability development; incentivising academics and practitioners engaged in co-production of knowledge; stimulating co-production through adequate resources; building redundancies within the project teams, ideas, and processes, and paying attention to the politics of co-production of knowledge. • Context-sensitivity is crucial to SPSI in Transdisciplinary research (TDR). • Science-policy-society interactions (SPSI) is complex in TDR projects. • Intensity and frequency of SPSI interaction depends on actor's role. • The supra-system is important to understanding influence of external context. • SPSI in TDR contributes to addressing the sustainable development goals (SDGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Discretionary or ex gratia payouts are widespread in parametric insurance programs. • Payouts attempt to secure social license to operate despite contractual basis risk. • Discretionary payouts obscure and entrench insurers' market power. • Attempts at conciliation often stoke further demands from aggrieved collectivities. • Geospatial monitoring alone cannot resolve questions of post-disaster distribution. The past decade has seen the dramatic proliferation of geospatial tools to remotely monitor, measure, and transfer weather and climate risk, particularly in the Global South. These "parametric" tools are calculative market devices used to commodify risk and facilitate its distantiated exchange via insurance markets. Yet the environmental estimates they generate are frequently wrong, sometimes grossly so. This paper investigates what happens after calculative market devices fail, analyzing so-called ex gratia ("from grace") practices in which insurers make payouts to aggrieved clients even when none are due under contractual terms. Though these payments are commonly deployed to dispel discontent, these "public secrets" of the industry have gone unnoticed in insurance scholarship. This paper documents numerous ex gratia payouts in parametric programs across Africa, disputing the myth of autonomous insurance markets that function according to formal, transparent rules administered by dispassionate calculative devices. Instead, these "discretionary" monetary transfers reintroduce human decision making in informal, black-boxed ways, cloaking the inadequacy of the parametric contracts they shore up. Far from incidental, I argue that these practices have been constitutive of the parametric insurance market's persistence and expansion. Though ex gratia payments sometimes give rise to negotiations over indemnification with aggrieved collectivities, these unfold on insurers' terms, informalizing power and delegitimizing complaint. The growing emphasis on parametric insurance as a tool for climate adaptation makes it all the more important to excavate the mechanics and politics of ex gratia, and to relinquish expectations that geospatial algorithms alone can resolve questions of post-disaster redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper complements the literature on the determinants of financial development by offering one of the first studies on the effect of women's political empowerment on financial development. Across a sample of 43 African countries over the period 1996–2018, the main results show the positive effect of women's political empowerment on financial development. Our disaggregated analysis shows that women's political representation promotes both components of financial development; however, with a stronger effect for financial institutions. This result remains valid when we consider the subcomponents of these two indicators. Furthermore, the analysis of transmission mechanisms shows that control of corruption, democracy and human capital are the channels through which women's political empowerment affects financial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we juxtapose two different sectors of China's economic presence in Africa: transport and digital infrastructure. Using the case of Kenya, a country that hosts several flagship corridors funded by Chinese loans and where Chinese "digital champions" have been active for two decades, we highlight some of the differences and similarities between these two forms of China's going-out capitalism in the continent. Our argument is that these 'varieties of capital' are conterminous, and they operate through both strategic and contingent overlaps within the same 'state-market nexus' and at the interface with programmes and goals of the African 'infrastructure state'. To illustrate this point, we draw on a comparative research effort inspired by a growing body of scholarship that has been labelled under the tag of 'Global China' and by a political economy reading of 'the market-in-state' system. This paper thus contributes empirically and conceptually to de-essentializing the Chinese presence in the African continent by recognizing the contextual agencies that shape it—the ambitious developmental agendas of the African state, in particular—as well as the interplay between its different corporate forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Better economic policies simulate quality upgrading and discourage bribing. • Growth effect of economic policy varies with the industry level of upgrading. • Industries that upgrade relatively more grow faster. This paper investigates whether economic policy facilitates output growth by exploring the role of competition. We present a growth model with heterogeneous firms in which exposure to competition induces reallocation of market shares from less productive to more productive firms and forces the least productive firms to exit the industry. Confronted by a competition threat, incumbent firms choose either upgrading their products or bribing a policymaker in order to prevent entry by potential competitors. Product upgrading is less profitable than bribing for low-productivity firms but more profitable for high-productivity firms. Reallocation of market shares to more productive firms leads to higher aggregate industry productivity. Testing this prediction of the model using a generalized difference-in-differences approach and production data that cover 23 manufacturing industries and 34 African countries, we found that industries that upgrade more grow disproportionately faster in countries where competition policy is more intensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several African countries are experiencing problems with overcapacity in their energy sectors on a scale that cannot be explained or justified with reference to the volatility of supply alone. This constitutes a paradox in contexts where many people do not have access to modern energy. Based on a review of the scant existing literature, this paper provides an overview of existing explanations for overcapacity and discusses its potential implications. It identifies three general explanations whose relative weight, however, differ from one country to another, namely the quality of planning and management, national ideology and political interests, and the role of donors and private investors. Among the potential implications are not only the increasing deficits and debts of public utilities, higher tariffs and reduced access to energy, but also delays in energy transitions. This has policy implications for energy-sector planning, including the role of bureaucracies and experts, the management of public utilities and debt, and tariffs, as well as for procurement and contracting. Overall, more research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among growing concerns about the environmental impact of human activities, international trade is increasingly in the spotlight. However, the role of Africa has been widely disregarded. In this paper, we assess the trade–environment link in African trade patterns by estimating a gravity model for trade with data from 140 countries for the period 2002–2018. Our findings reveal significant insights: first, that dirty trade appears to be increasingly concentrating in African countries. That is, exports of dirty goods seem to have shifted to countries with less stringent environmental regulations. Second, exports from dirty industries tend to concentrate in those countries with higher levels of capital endowments, although this effect appears to be weaker. Third, the results hold when we consider different exporter and importer country scenarios, such as trade flows with Europe (the main African trading regional partner) and intraregional African trade patterns. In addition, they hold especially for more differentiated products, with some particularities in the case of homogeneous ones. These findings have important implications in terms of both trade and environmental policies as well as for building the basis for sustainable development in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of misinforming policy direction is undoubtedly high when factors determining foreign direct investment (FDI) are haphazardly selected owing to the diverse nature of the underlying FDI theories, thus leading to model uncertainty. To resolve the econometric and policy concerns, this paper re-investigates the determinants of FDI for 53 African economies for which comprehensive data are available using the Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) technique over the period 1984–2018. Interestingly, unlike the previously conducted studies on FDI determinants, variables such as gross fixed capital formation, trade openness, exchange rate, secondary school education, democratic regime type, and mobile subscriptions per 100 people take preeminent positions over other explanatory variables for the continent. However, government consumption expenditure, inflation, GDP per capita, capital openness, and credits to the private sectors constitute the major deterring factors of FDI into the continent. These variables remain the substantive predictors of FDI in the African continent out of the 23 explanatory variables used. Similarly, differences are observed in the determinants of FDI across the regions of the continent. Thus, assuming the general policy framework to region-specific concerns may not be an efficient policy menu for attracting foreign capital flows. In light of the preceding, understanding the salient African-wide determinants as well as each region's idiosyncratic details regarding the determinants holds a promising path to tread in attracting foreign direct investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a strong wave of Eurobond issuances by Africa's frontier market economies since the start of the century. But it is not clear how these issuances have affected economic performance. This paper uses synthetic control experiments to conduct comparative case study analyses of the impacts of Eurobond issuances on economic growth, debt sustainability, and domestic capital markets. Ex post, we compare the trajectories of the relevant macroeconomic outcomes against their synthetically constructed business-as-usual counterfactual in an environment with no Eurobond issuance. The results show that, on average, sovereign Eurobond issuances have led to improvements in per capita GDP in Africa by about 10 percent above the counterfactual, business-as-usual scenario. Although most issuances were within 3 percent of GDP, they potentially led to about 13 percentage point acceleration in the debt-to-GDP ratios after ten years, compared to the counterfactual. Public capital accumulation is, on average, faster in the first two to three years following an issuance in countries with positive correlations. • Eurobond issuances by African sovereigns surged in the 2000s, with over 125 instruments issued by 21 African sovereigns. • We conduct synthetic control experiments, comparing relevant macro-outcomes with their counterfactuals under no issuance. • Eurobond have had a noticeable positive effect on incomes, about 10 percent annual improvement above the counterfactual. • But debt sustainability risks from Eurobond issuances are heightened by 13 percent above the counterfactual within 10 years. • Downside risks from Eurobonds should be actively managed to remain a useful source of financing and development in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite vaccination being one of the most effective public health interventions, there are persisting inequalities and inequities in immunisation. Understanding the differences in subnational vaccine impact can help improve delivery mechanisms and policy. We analyse subnational vaccination coverage of measles first-dose (MCV1) and estimate patterns of inequalities in impact, represented as deaths averted, across 45 countries in Africa. We also evaluate how much this impact would improve under more equitable vaccination coverage scenarios. Using coverage data for MCV1 from 2000–2019, we estimate the number of deaths averted at the first administrative level. We use the ratio of deaths averted per vaccination from two mathematical models to extrapolate the impact at a subnational level. Next, we calculate inequality for each country, measuring the spread of deaths averted across its regions, accounting for differences in population. Finally, using three more equitable vaccination coverage scenarios, we evaluate how much impact of MCV1 immunisation could improve by (1) assuming all regions in a country have at least national coverage, (2) assuming all regions have the observed maximum coverage; and (3) assuming all regions have at least 80% coverage. Our results show that progress in coverage and reducing inequality has slowed in the last decade in many African countries. Under the three scenarios, a significant number of additional deaths in children could be prevented each year; for example, under the observed maximum coverage scenario, global MCV1 coverage would improve from 76% to 90%, resulting in a further 363(95%CrI:299–482) deaths averted per 100,000 live births. This paper illustrates that estimates of the impact of MCV1 immunisation at a national level can mask subnational heterogeneity. We further show that a considerable number of deaths could be prevented by maximising equitable access in countries with high inequality when increasing the global coverage of MCV1 vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Introduces new data on rebel group formation in African states (1997–2015). • Indicates that most rebel groups formed in rural areas and did not emerge from local protests. • Demonstrates the need for more theory on the pathways to internal armed conflict. • Demonstrates the need for – and challenges of collecting – systematic evidence on armed group formation. Theories of internal armed conflict onset often conceptualize an eruption emerging from pre-existing, non-violent opposition movements or organizations. This paper argues that this is not the most common pathway to armed conflict in Africa. It introduces new data on rebel group formation in 47 African states (1997–2015) that offers a more complete picture than existing conflict datasets; about two-thirds of the groups in the new dataset are not named in standard conflict datasets. The strong majority of these rebel groups formed in rural areas; did not emerge from nearby protest movements or civil society organizations; and initially did not benefit from substantial material resources nor commit large-scale violence. Analyses suggest that rebel groups forming in rural parts of African states draw less often on pre-war, public, non-violent contestation than those of urban areas. The paper highlights the need for more theory on the varied pathways to internal armed conflict, and the importance of – and challenges of collecting – systematic evidence on armed group formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often assumed that both our species and the last common ancestor (LCA) of Neanderthals and modern humans originated in Africa, with all Eurasian Pleistocene populations expected to ultimately come from Africa. This paper aims to review the Middle Pleistocene fossil record of Africa and Southwest Asia to reinforce the need to at least consider the possibility of a non-African origin for the "sapiens lineage" as a plausible hypothesis. While the fossil record from the late Middle Pleistocene of Africa does suggest that the earliest representatives of Homo sapiens are indeed found in this continent, we found no consistent evidence showing that the LCA necessarily also originated in Africa. At present, based on paleogenetic analyses, the most widely accepted hypothesis suggests that the LCA may have lived during the early Middle Pleistocene. To this information, we must add the constellation of traits observed in H. antecessor , a species that from both morphology and molecular data has been interpreted as being close to the LCA. The morphology of the LCA may be defined by a mosaic of features in the cranium and dentition which, so far, has not been found in the African record. We emphasize that the case for an African origin for the LCA is not a closed one. We suggest caution and the need for further findings and studies, especially in Southwest Asia, which may be a critical region for studying the divergence of H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We compare role of China and traditional donors on development in Africa • We consider infrastructure, governance, debt and dependence on natural resources • We find similar results for both donors on all dimensions but debt • Presence of both donors benefits debt sustainability • But it is also associated with worse performance on other dimensions of development While China has become an important source of aid and other official funding for Africa, its coordination with other development partners remains limited, and its contribution to development has been questioned. Despite different development models represented by China and traditional donors, recent studies demonstrated that funding from the two has similar determinants, but little was done to systematically compare their role for development. The paper evaluate their impacts on infrastructure, governance, external debt sustainability and dependence on natural resources. Furthermore, we explore whether there are (dis)advantages from the presence of both donors. Overall, we find that China has similar, beneficial, impact when compared with traditional donors on all the development dimensions but debt. The presence of both donors, in turn, has a positive effect on debt sustainability, but negative impacts on the other dimensions. We interpret these results based on effective development cooperation principles of ownership, alignment, harmonisation, and accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African refugee youth and young adults live at the intersections of many structural barriers, including xenophobia, racism, and misogyny. In this conceptual paper, we present considerations for education scholars who seek to conduct research with and about African refugee postsecondary students. We start with a discussion of the discourse of Othering and racial stigma against Black-African people in high income countries. Next, we discuss the need for intersectional analysis in research by focusing on how gendered racism positions African women refugees as particularly vulnerable in higher education institutions. Then, we proceed to a discussion of how cultural heritage presents us with a counternarrative to xenophobic discourse. At each point, we present a set of critical questions that serve as a conceptual springboard for researchers that are exploring more deeply the issues that affect refugee youth and their education. Through this work, we implore researchers to engage with/in these communities in ways that are resistant to Othering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts to achieve universal access to safe drinkable water and improved sanitation, many Africans still lack access to these social services. There are also disparities between urban and rural areas in access to these services in Africa. If sustained, this adverse trend could undermine the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 to ensure access to safe drinkable water and sanitation for all by 2030. This paper examines the effect of globalization on access to clean water and improved sanitation in Africa over the 1990–2015 period. Based on the panel corrected standard errors estimator, the results show that overall globalization improves access to water and improved sanitation while increasing disparities between urban and rural areas in access to improved sanitation. Among the sub-indexes of globalization, social globalization enhances access to drinkable water and improved sanitation for the total, urban and rural population. However, social globalization widens the urban-rural gap in access to improved sanitation while its effect on disparities in access to drinkable water is not significant. Economic globalization reduces the share of the population with access to improved sanitation while its effects on access to drinkable water and the urban-rural disparities in access in both social services are not statistically significant. Finally, some differences are found when distinguishing between de facto and de jure aspects of globalization. Policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) have a disruptive effect on local communities in target areas. • This study assesses the impact of LSLAs on child food insecurity in Africa. • Using a difference-in-differences approach, I find that LSLAs lead to a deterioration in child nutrition, particularly in animal source foods. • Children's dietary diversity scores were reduced by 20% after the land acquisitions. • The baseline dataset consists of 360 LSLAs, published by the Land Matrix Initiative (2 2 9) and supplemented by my own research (1 3 1). Food insecurity is a major concern in most African countries. Large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) frequently have a negative impact on local communities. In this paper, I examine the impact of LSLAs on the nutritional status of neighboring children. To this end, I use a difference-in-differences methodology applied to LSLAs in a large number of African countries at different times since the early 2000s. I analyze data from Demographic and Health Surveys combined with data from the Land Matrix Initiative, supplemented by my own research, ultimately covering 18,276 children living in the vicinity of 45 LSLAs. I show that LSLAs have had a significant negative impact on child nutrition in Africa over the past two decades. Specifically, the dietary diversity scores of children living close to LSLAs were reduced by 20 per cent after acquisition. The results are robust to various statistical tests. I find no changes in work status or household assets. While the impact of LSLAs may be positive for agricultural practices, it is negative for child food security. The analysis highlights the importance of supporting local communities following foreign agricultural investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How is wealth distributed when the economy grows? I study this question in the context of African countries and ethnic groups. If wealth is distributed proportional to population, larger ethnic groups should benefit more when economic activity increases. Using nighttime light and individual level data to geographically locate wealth, I find the exact opposite: Smaller ethnic groups, particularly those in political power, benefit more from increased economic activity than larger ones. The results indicate that political elites in power redistribute wealth from larger ethnic groups. As a result, people's satisfaction with democracy and trust in institutions reduces, casting a shadow on the implementation of trade liberalization policies in developing countries. Instrumental variables estimating exploiting exogenous variation in trading activity confirm initial results. • How is wealth distributed when the economy grows? • This Paper provides evidence that political elite capture the gains from trade. • Elite capture has negative consequences for individuals' satisfaction with democracy and trust in institutions. • Results cast a shadow on trade policies' impact on (democratic) development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines public attitudes regarding the privacy of personal communications across several African countries. The study additionally investigates factors influencing an individual's expression of the right to privacy and rejection of state surveillance. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted on survey data gathered from 48,084 interviews completed in 34 countries. The findings reveal that, among the surveyed countries (34 out of 54 on the continent), a majority (54.87%) advocate for the protection of private communications. This indicates an increasing inclination among individuals to assert greater control over their personal information, which is being collected and utilized by governmental organizations and often by extension, private entities. The results demonstrate that education, gender, occupation, institutional trust, frequency of newspaper reading, perceptions of social media, attitudes towards internet regulation, opinions on government accountability, and the frequency of internet usage all significantly influence an individual's stance on personal data privacy. Governments must strive for more effective communication with citizens to foster support for surveillance programs that achieve a delicate equilibrium between state security and the protection of privacy rights. This study provides an evidence base that policymakers, practitioners and academics can utilize to make informed decisions about data privacy attitudes and predict privacy actions. • Investigates public attitudes towards data privacy and state surveillance in African countries. • Multi-country study utilizing data from 34 countries in Africa. • Belief in the right to data privacy is widespread across Africa. • Provides a better understanding of data privacy and surveillance concerns among citizens and their associations with demographics and behavioral patterns. • Provides guidance for public policy on surveillance and data privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamphicarpa fistulosa (Hochst.) Benth., is a facultative parasitic plant causing persistent weed problems in smallholder rice crops across Africa. It was first identified as a rice weed in the 1990's in West Africa. The objective of this review was to comprehensively inform the crop protection research community and extension services on the newly gained insights on R. fistulosa since the last review in 2014. Following a systematic literature search in Web of Science on papers published after September 2014, the cut-off date of the last review, the resulting publications are reviewed. Parasitizing Rhamphicarpa fistulosa plants gain considerably in biomass and reproductive output, compared to independently growing plants. The host incurs severe reductions in photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production. Host-plant assimilates primarily benefit parasite growth and reproduction. Rice yield losses caused by R. fistulosa infestations range from 24 to 73% depending on infestation density and cultivar. Annual crop losses in sub-Saharan Africa were estimated at 204,000 tons of milled rice, with associated annual economic losses of US $82M, affecting >140,000 rural households. Rice cultivars NERICA-L-40 and -31 were identified as resistant and high yielding under R. fistulosa infested conditions. Early sowing decreases R. fistulosa infection. Contrary to the obligate parasitic weed Striga spp., the facultative R. fistulosa is not controlled by fertilisers. The past decade of research generated valuable insights in the genetics, germination biology, environmental and ecological contexts, distribution and impacts on crop yields and economies, and disclosed feasible management options. • Rice vampireweed (Rhamphicarpa fistulosa) is a facultative parasitic weed on rice in Africa. • We reviewed the literature since the last review, ten years ago, to report on research progress. • The weed affects >140,000 farm households and causes losses to African economies worth US $82 M/year. • Control recommendations include identified resistant and tolerant rice cultivars and early sowing. • Small rice production improvements from fertilisers, trade-off with strong weed biomass increments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper adds to the literature on the issue of public debt in African economies, by investigating the role foreign exchange reserves play in improving the level of indebtedness and as buffer of the negative effect of exchange rate depreciation while considering the exchange rate policy. Our results show a direct link between the level of foreign currency reserves and that of external debt in Africa. Particularly, we demonstrate that higher foreign currency reserves tend to decrease the public debt stock to GDP. This effect is even more significant when countries go through high exchange rate depreciation episodes (10% or higher). This impact, however, is not homogenous among country groups, as only countries with a floating exchange regime tend to benefit from this buffer effect compared to anchored regimes. In a time where most African economies face severe exchange rate depreciation episodes following the U.S. monetary tightening policy, central bankers and policy makers need to consider a plethora of policy issues including interventions in the FX market to mitigate depreciations and maintain a sustainable public debt stock. • We explore the relationship between international reserve and public debt in Africa. • Higher foreign currency reserves have a positive impact on reducing the public debt. • This effect is observed during periods of large exchange rate depreciation. • The impact varies among countries according to the exhange rate regime. • Policymakers could use international reserves to maintain sustainable public debt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) in the context of the political, economic, social, technical and environmental (PESTLE) framework in Africa. • The prospect of dual use of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) in Africa. • Implementing appropriate energy policy and financing schemes in African cities. • Promoting a sustainable path for cost effective recycling and reuse of end-of-life PV in African cities. Power outage is a regular occurrence in most African cities due to increasing energy demand from population growth and commercial activities outstripping the grid capacity. This results in disruption to normal life putting stress on businesses and affecting development across the continent. This review paper investigates the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) in African cities from three perspectives. Firstly, the potential of rooftop PV in the context of the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental aspects (PESTLE) is evaluated. Thereafter, sustainable waste management of solar PV panels is reviewed in anticipation for the upcoming wave of end-of life solar panels. Finally, the prospect of dual use building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) as power generators and building components is investigated from case studies in Africa. Most studies highlight the strong potential of rooftop PV and BIPV due to the availability of high radiance in the continent. However, our review shows that affordability and lack of investment acts as a significant barrier to mass adoption of this technology which could be remedied by implementing appropriate energy policy and financing schemes. Alternative financing of PV products and service solutions such as leasing, pay monthly, pay-as-you-go, and subscriptions are emerging as popular options, and these approaches seem to act as drivers to market expansion. The review also emphasizes on the need for effective and sustainable waste management of solar PV products through implementing appropriately designed recycling schemes. This will need to be adopted now to ensure success and to prevent a waste management crisis in the future for the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper proposes a novel multi-model approach, integrating the CARIMA-SARIMA-GPM framework, to assess the combined impacts of climate change and land use change on the potential of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems. By considering both climatic variables and land use patterns, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these factors influence CPV performance in the context of a changing environment. The proposed methodology offers valuable insights into the future viability and sustainability of CPV technology, enabling informed decision-making for policymakers, energy planners, and investors in the Middle East and Africa. As a result, the ability of the hybrid evolutionary CARIMA-SARIMA-GPM to predict the potential of CPV energy output for assessing the impacts of climate change on it was investigated in Alice Springs, the Middle East, and Africa. The outcome showed that the hybrid model significantly outperformed the other machine learning approaches. The fitted model was used to assess the potential impacts of climate change on CPV generation in Alice Springs, Australia, as well as the Middle East's and Africa's comparable climatic conditions. According to the study, climate change had the greatest impact on solar CPV energy production in Alice Springs, where it decreased the most by 8.577% under moderate forcing scenarios (SSP245) during the boreal summer season; moderately in the Middle East, where it decreased the mode by 2.316% under mitigation scenarios (SSP126) during the boreal summer season; and extremely minimally in Africa, where it decreased the mode by 1.263% under the far future sequencing period (2051–2099). Climate change also increased solar CPV energy production significantly in the Middle East in the far future sequencing period (2051–2099), as well as in Alice Springs, Australia, and Africa in the near future sequencing period (2015–2050). The strongest forcing scenario (SSP585) increased by 7.644% during the boreal autumn season in Africa; moderately increased by 6.502% during the boreal spring season in the Middle East; and had the least beneficial effects in Alice Springs, Australia, with increases of 5.538% during the boreal winter season. On an annual basis, all three regions showed a similar trend. Climate change (CLC) and urban expansion (URE) were also investigated in the Middle East and Africa for their effects on changes in solar CPV energy output. URE had a greater impact in Africa than the Middle East under the effective scenario, with a URE value of 45.45% for Africa and 20.15% for the Middle East, whereas CLC had a greater impact in the Middle East than Africa, with a CLC value of 29.01% compared to 5.47% for Africa. CLC and CPV residual factors, on the other hand, have a greater impact in the Middle East than in Africa, with effects of 29.01% and 50.83%, respectively, compared to 5.47% and 49.09%. The potential difference that drives the remediation of specific pollutants lies in the application of advanced technologies and sustainable practices. By exploring innovative solutions, such as using renewable energy sources like concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems, we can effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change and land use changes on pollutant concentrations. These technologies have the potential to significantly reduce pollution levels and create a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. Assessing the CPV potential in different regions like Alice Springs, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa allows us to identify areas with high solar energy resources that can be harnessed for efficient pollutant remediation. Implementing prompt climate mitigation and adaptation measures is crucial for achieving a net-zero energy transition in the Middle East and Africa by 2050. In this context, prioritizing solar energy as the primary source of renewable energy is imperative for successful low-carbon economic planning in these regions. • CARIMA-SARIMA-GPM outperforms other applicable models • By 2100, the CPV potential in Alice Springs could increase by 0.082–5.338% at 1.5 °C • By 2100, the Middle East's CPV potential could increase by 0.021–0.221% at 1.5 °C. • By 2100, Africa's CPV potential could increase by 0.133–7.644% at 1.5 °C. • Climate change has harmed Alice Springs and the Middle East more than Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncertainty about land ownership is believed to increase vulnerability of marginalized groups in a society. When agriculture is not only responsible for employing more than half of the labor force population but also the main source of the livelihood of poor families, access to land becomes critical. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the impact of land reform on agricultural output in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Employing a system of equations model and controlling for traditional variables, our study yields several noteworthy findings. First, our results reveal that land development exhibits a positive impact on agricultural output, emphasizing the importance of investment in agriculture. Conversely, the positive coefficient for civil unrest highlights the intricate relationship between land reform and social stability, suggesting that unrest may be a consequence of land reform aimed at addressing inequality. Second, the channel equations shed light on the indirect pathways through which factors like rural population growth rate, life expectancy, and capital stock influence agricultural output. These findings underscore the potential benefits of managing rural population growth, improving healthcare, and increasing investment in agriculture, albeit with varying degrees of impact. Third, our study dissects the different effects of land reform policies. Willing seller-willing buyer and various forms of expropriation are found to be significant in both land development and civil unrest equations, indicating their dual role in promoting land development while potentially contributing to social unrest. Striking a balance between land reform and stability emerges as a crucial policy challenge. • The dual role of land reform policies is evaluated in terms of the trade-off between equity and efficiency. • The findings suggest a policy challenge in achieving a balance between land reform and stability. • While the market approach is deemed equitable, its inefficiency is evident, attributed to its sluggish pace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding bureaucratic corruption in access to public services and exit mechanisms particularly for the poor remains a core question in the economics of corruption literature. This paper examines the role of social networks in easing bureaucratic corruption in the demand for public services, using a bivariate ordered probit model and the sixth wave of the Afrobarometer survey from 36 African countries between 2014–2015. The main results suggest that not all citizens are victims of corrupt public officials, as social networks serve as substitutes or potential exit options out of corruption. However, individuals who face multiple deprivations lack access to public services as they are not able to use their social networks to ease access. Individuals who do not face difficulties in accessing public services employ social networks as complements to their corrupt acts to "get ahead". We discuss these findings in line with poverty eradication strategies and anti-corruption policies in Africa. • Corruption hinders public service access in Africa but not all citizens are victims. • Officials are likely to be more corrupt than citizens in demanding public services. • Corruption eases the poor's access to public services in Africa • Civic networks serve as an exit option from corruption, and a way to "get ahead". • Poverty eradication and anti-corruption are key for service access for the deprived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study analyzed the synergistic effect of digital infrastructure and human capital on innovation. • System generalized method of moments is employed on a sample of 28 African countries over the 2011–2019 period. • Digital infrastructure positively impacts innovation. • Digital infrastructure and human capital are complementary factors in promoting innovation. While both theory and empirical evidence have established the critical role of digital infrastructure in promoting innovation, there needs to be more understanding of factors mediating this nexus, especially from the African context, which is understudied. This paper argues that digital infrastructure spurs innovation, but the overall effect depends on countries' level of human capital. Relying on data from 28 African countries spanning 2011–2019 and the system Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimator, this study departs from the extant literature by examining the synergistic effect of digital infrastructure and human capital on innovation while placing much emphasis on the multidimensional measurement approach of digital infrastructure. The results show a positive relationship between digital infrastructure and innovation in Africa. Furthermore, the interactive effect of digital infrastructure and human capital is significantly related to innovation, implying that digital infrastructure can indirectly enhance innovation through human capital accumulation. To promote innovation, the study recommends that policies that improve digital infrastructure should be pursued simultaneously with policies that enhance human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the importance of relative deprivation in Tanzania, a poor African country, using three waves of the Tanzanian National Panel Survey. We contribute to earlier literature in Africa by controlling for time persistent unobservable individual characteristics (panel data) and, most important, by using two measures of satisfaction (life and financial satisfaction), two definitions of the reference group, and testing different hypothesis. By comparing results between satisfaction measures and across definitions of reference groups we can understand the mechanisms through which comparisons work in a poor setting. In contrast with earlier literature, we find strong evidence of relative deprivation in financial satisfaction of all individuals in Tanzania, and evidence for life satisfaction only for individuals with weaker ties with their community. For those with strong ties (45% of our total sample; 52% of the rural sample), we find evidence of a positive correlation between life satisfaction and the leave-out mean consumption of close neighbors and argue that this can be explained by feelings of empathy. We argue in favor of taking comparisons to others into account when assessing and introducing welfare policies, also in less developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intellectual discourse on academic freedom has gained prominence across the globe in recent past. While such discussions portend a positive signal for academics, little is known about academic freedom in Africa. This article examines the existing research and scholarship on academic freedom in Africa with the sole intention of questioning the conceptual underpinnings of the frequently studied topics related to academic freedom and the methodological distribution of studies related to academic freedom in Africa. An electronic database search was performed in Scopus and google scholar for papers published between 2004 and 2022, followed by a systematic review of content analysis articles which described academic freedom in Africa. After eliminating all the duplicates, 29 unique research studies were identified as peer-reviewed articles in English. Out of the 29 full texts which were assessed for eligibility criteria, 4 were excluded with 25 Full-text records left to be used for the systematic review of content analysis. The systematic review revealed five main areas of study namely, legal and constitutional laws for the protection of academic freedom, effects of colonialism on academic freedom, challenges and safety of academic freedom, academic freedom and intellectual engagement, and academic freedom and sexuality. Our findings further revealed that there is a dearth of literature on academic freedom in Africa presumably because of the chequered development of Africa's democracy. One thing is however clear that as the democratic architecture of Africa dips, as a result of the upsurge of coup d'detat in recent past, the future of academic freedom remains bleak. It called for academics to seek support from other civil society groups to promote academic freedom and to keep the discussion on academic freedom alive, relevant and current, within the academic community. • The article questions the conceptual underpinnings of the frequently studied topics related to academic freedom. • And the methodological distribution of studies related to academic freedom in Africa. • An electronic database search was performed in Scopus and google scholar for papers published between 2004 and 2022. • This was followed by a systematic review of content analysis articles which described academic freedom in Africa. • The systematic review revealed five main areas of study namely, legal and constitutional laws for the protection of academic freedom, effects of colonialism on academic freedom. • The challenges and safety of academic freedom, academic freedom and intellectual engagement, and academic freedom and sexuality. • It called for academics to seek support from other civil society group to promote academic freedom. • And keep the discussion on academic freedom alive, relevant and current, within the academic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines State-owned bank lending in Africa in times of crisis. We exploit a sample of 112 banks, including 24 State-owned banks, operating in 8 West African countries over the period 2000–2019. We focus on how bank ownership affects lending, during and after crises. Results indicate that, contrary to domestic-private banks, public banks continue to lend at the same rate during and slightly increase their lending after a crisis. The main explanation of the previous finding is the stability of State-owned bank resources. Finally, the countercyclicality of public banks does not affect their profitability or portfolio quality. • This paper examines public bank lending in Africa in times of crisis. • We exploit data from 112 banks in 8 West African countries from 2000 to 2019. • Public banks continue to lend at the same rate during crises, contrary to private banks. • Public banks also favor resilience by increasing loans after a crisis, while private banks contract them. • The most probable explanation is the stability of the resources of public banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most countries in Africa have revised the planning laws they inherited from their colonial experience, research shows that the attitudes and practices of politicians and planning professionals still reflect and are deeply embedded in colonial logic and rationalities of urban spatial organization and management. However, we do not yet fully understand how post-colonial African leaders justify and elicit public support for their continued utilization of colonial approaches in their contemporary engagements with their own people. This paper contributes to the limited research on the processes and politics of legitimizing colonial urban spatial organization and management in post-colonial African cities. The paper draws on Van Leeuwen's (2007) symbolic legitimation framework to explore and critique the parallels between how colonial and post-colonial authorities weaponize aesthetic, hygienic, and morality concerns to give false clarity to evictions as inevitable or natural solutions to the congestion, crime, filth, and other socio-environmental problems they associate with the activities of lower-class urban dwellers (particularly those living in informal settlements). A key finding of this paper that bears watching is the phenomenon of 'voluntary demolition'– an emerging approach to containing lower-class urbanites where state officials violently displace notable informal settlements or activities, without any prior warnings, to set as a precedent and invoke fear, intimidate, and force the residents of other informal communities to 'self-evict'. The paper offers lessons for moving research, policy, action, and investment toward building just, equitable, and sustainable cities in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of financial innovations (mobile money) on financial inclusion. Using both parametric and nonparametric methods on panel data from 50 African countries over the period 2004–2020, we find that mobile money adoption positively affects financial inclusion. Indeed, the results from propensity score matching show that mobile money adoption promotes financial inclusion in a range of 12–14 %. These results stem from the match between the services offered to individuals and their needs. Our results remain robust to a battery of robustness checks, including alternative measures of financial inclusion, alternative sample, heterogeneity analysis, as well as alternative estimation method. Overall, this study contributes to the construction of a hitherto underdeveloped literature on the macroeconomic impact of mobile money in the context of digitalization of the financial system. • This paper assesses the impact of financial innovations (Mobile Money) on financial inclusion. • We Apply both parametric and non-parametric methods on a sample of 50 African countries over the period 2004–2020. • The findings show that mobile money adoption promotes financial inclusion in a range of 12–14 %. • The results remain robust to a battery of robustness checks, including alternative measures of financial innovation and financial inclusion, sample switching, accounting for heterogeneity, and changing the estimation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• African urban ecology is understudied. • There are important geographic, ecological and scientific biases. • Urban ecology is significantly more studied in wealthier African countries. • More urbanized areas (now or in the future) are not the main focus of study. • We need to redirect our priorities regarding urban ecology in Africa. Urbanization is an extreme human activity and is expanding worldwide, consequently increasing the attention of scientists across research areas of urban ecology. Recent studies have warned of the lack of information from certain regions, particularly Africa, which is rapidly urbanizing. Thus, we did a detailed literature search to determine the state of knowledge in African urban ecology in the last century. We found 795 relevant papers from where data were collected and tested to understand geographic and ecological mismatches in research effort, allowing us to identify important knowledge gaps (e.g., taxonomy and scientific fields). We also tested the effect of current and future urbanization intensity, human population density, size and conservation status of ecoregions and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research effort. Our results suggest a low turnout of papers and a dearth of knowledge about African urban ecology. Studies were conducted in 72% of African countries, with South Africa alone accounting for almost 40% of all published papers. The studies were either conducted at the city (55%) or local/country (34%) level, suggesting the lack of transnational research collaboration. Interestingly, only country GDP and the size and conservation status of ecoregions significantly predicted the number of publications, suggesting that research effort is driven by economic reasons and the relevance of conservation in African urban ecology. We need to account for these biases to advance our understanding of the impacts of urbanization on African biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Market services have proved to behave as a key sector in fuelling economic growth in developing regions. • Distributive trade and business services show strong increasing returns of scale. • Business services are particularly relevant for output and productivity increases. The paper analyses the contribution of services vis-à-vis manufacturing as a driving force of economic growth in developing regions. In doing so, we test Kaldor´s first and second growth laws for different service categories, providing a comparative view across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The work focuses attention on the importance of sector-level disaggregation in exploring the relationship between productivity and economic growth. Hence, it accounts for services sector heterogeneity to help to disentangle those specific branches that may fuel economic growth in the different regions. Panel data estimations are performed for a sample of 32 countries during 1970–2010. Our findings support the key role of manufacturing for growth. However, they also emphasise how market services (particularly, business service activities) may also enhance productivity and output growth 'à la Kaldor'. The research supports recent claims for modernising industrial policy in a way that promotes but is not limited to manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]