Africa’s Social Impact Lens: Resilience and Untapped Opportunities in Africa
As we push forward to advance Africa’s social impact, our in-country analysis covers the wins, trends, and opportunities that contribute to the continent’s development and emerging markets. This February, immerse in music, sports, arts, and the economic opportunities drawing attention to Africa. Seemingly trifling industries are now viable for investments, with a talented youth population ready to transform the continent? into a gold mine.
Read our in-country analysis below on Lesotho and Madagascar, as well as trending news stories from Ivory Coast, South Africa and Nigeria.
In Country Analysis:
Lesotho, a landlocked country in Southern Africa with a population of 2.3 million people faces an impeding education crisis. Most pupils drop out from primary school and children from poor families are unable to pursue their secondary education, all while education is free.
To address this situation, the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Lesotho and development partners are collaborating on a combination of targeted interventions such as the Lesotho Basic Education Strengthening Project which supports the Ministry of Education and Training’s (MoET) efforts to improve student retention and the quality of teaching and learning.?
Cc: 世界银行
#Agriculture
In Lesotho, crop production and agricultural yield have increased due to early rainfalls in the first few weeks in 2024 . While this poses a positive outlook for food security, poor households are being impacted. Due to the competition in supplies, the price hike makes demands more challenging for smallholder farmers. With the food prices still high, and purchasing power low for poor households, will agricultural labor opportunities be impacted, and how can the ongoing food insecurity be solved in communities and households less likely to afford high market prices?
#RenewableEnergy
Astra Energy Inc. has announced its partnership with the Lesotho National Development Corporation, to develop a 100-megawatt (MW) Clean and Renewable Energy Park in Lesotho, facilitated by Aztec Management Consultants Inc.
Beyond contributing to Astra’s revenue stream, the Lesotho project will enhance reliability of electricity delivery, crucial for a burgeoning economy. The success of the venture is anticipated to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities, positively impacting sectors reliant on a consistent and cost-effective power supply.
With over 600 child rape cases recorded in 2023 and 133 cases recorded already in January 2024, Madagascar’s parliament has passed a law to punish paedophiles with surgical castration. While the law drew criticism from international rights groups, it won backing from some local activists who affirmed it is necessary to deter a “rape culture”. According to the new law, cases of rape against children between the ages of 10 and 13 will be punished by either surgical or chemical castration. Also, the rape of minors aged between 14 and 17 will be punished by chemical castration. Offenders will also face sterner sentences of up to life in prison.
Cc: The Telegraph
#ArtforSocialGood
Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world with a population of over 30 million people, has one of the highest global poverty rates. The country ravaged by food and health emergencies, with three quarters of the population living below the poverty line, and 1.6 million people estimated to be food insecure is resorting to art as one of the means to drive social change.
“It is important to bring a note of hope, to show beauty, creativity, and provide nourishment for the mind and imagination,” says HobiSoa Raininoro, the co-curator of the inaugural exhibition at Madagascar’s first major contemporary art venue, Fondation H.
Cc: The Guardian
#EcologicalSustainability
600 years after giant tortoises were wiped out in Madagascar by hunters, a six-year-old project to return these giant tortoises to the wild in Madagascar could result in thousands of the 350kg megaherbivores re-populating the island again.
According to a group of ecologists, reintroducing the tortoise to areas degraded by cattle grazing will help restore the island’s forests, grassy woodlands and shrublands of the past. It could also help prevent devastating forest fires in the future.
Trending News on Africa:
With a 2-1 victory in the final for the ‘Elephants of Ivory Coast’ marking a huge achievement against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the 34th AFCON23 tournament captivated Africans across the continent and sparked global interest with nearly 2 billion views on TV, excluding other streams. The tournament was broadcasted to 180 countries all over the world and a market research analysis estimates this will translate to US$75 million for the Confederation of African Football (CAF).?
领英推荐
Following the dramatic tournament which trended for weeks on social media as a result of - Nigeria’s global fanbase, championed by African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen,?football is perhaps a religion in Africa with huge untapped market potential that should be utilized. To show the sociocultural importance of football in Africa, it is important to highlight that Didier Drogba managed to restore calm to? Ivory Coast when his country needed it most, and he did so by using football to stop a civil war that left thousands dead.
The 66th GRAMMY awards featured the inaugural ‘Best African Music Performance’ category - newly added to signal the commercial and cultural prowess of the continent’s music. The award, which had five nominees, consisted of four Nigerian Afrobeat superstars (Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr and Asake), and one 21-year-old South African (showstopper) Tyla, who won. The artiste, known for her pulsating Amapiano sound with a blend of R&B won for her lead single "Water," from an upcoming debut EP.?
Largely driven forward by a popular TikTok challenge, Tyla’s “Water” recorded significant social media engagements, making her the first solo musician from South Africa in 55 years to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.?
Cc: AP News
After nearly five years of tireless work, the animation team at Kugali Media is finally seeing its comic book series “Iwájú” come to life in a big way – and now audiences around the world can join in.
The animated series is a coming-of-age story set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The show was picked up by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2020, which called it a “first-of-its-kind collaboration” with the pan-African entertainment company. All six episodes are now available to stream on Disney+. Along with the six-episode series, a game called “Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef” will also be released. The game will allow players to “explore authentic African delicacies through (a) fast-paced and accessible cooking game that celebrates the culture and cuisine of Nigeria,” according to Disney.
Cc: CNN
Upcoming Events:
Join the African Diaspora Network (ADN) in Silicon Valley for the 9th annual convening of the signature conference bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from across the globe to envision the future of the African continent.
March 20-22, 2024 | San, Jose, California (Attend)
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) will host the 16th U.S.-Africa Business Summit themed: “Partnering for Sustainable Success.” The Summit will bring together more than 1,500 U.S. and African public and private sector executives to drive sustainable business partnerships.
May 6-9 | Dallas, Texas (Learn More)
Building momentum from the recently concluded summit in Nairobi, the 8th edition of the Africa Tech Summit London, will connect tech leaders from the African ecosystem and international players under one roof. The summit will provide a platform for investors and industry stakeholders driving business through forward thinking investments to connect and engage.
June 6-7, 2024 | London (Mark the Date)
Attend the 11th Financial Times Africa Summit to connect with a prestigious line-up of businesses, policymakers and thought leaders from Africa and around the world to discuss the continent’s challenges and aspirations.
October 29-30 | London (Register)
ABOUT ASIL?
In our ongoing commitment to catalyze transformative social impact in Africa and beyond, Baobab Consulting is excited to unveil Africa's Social Impact Lens (ASIL). This monthly LinkedIn newsletter series highlights the latest social impact trends, innovations, and opportunities spanning across the African continent and its dynamic diaspora.?
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Authored by: Gloria Edukere | Edited by: Evelyn Dan Epelle, FMNES