Africa

International donors have sought to improve the social, political and economic position of women in Africa through an approach known as “gender”. A new Counterpoint publication from Africa Research Institute – Talking gender to Africa – argues that this strategy is failing. The...

As protests against the government of Malawi sweep the capital Lilongwe, the commercial capital Blantyre, and the northern city of Mzuzu, Africa Research Institute reveals how Malawians have long used public radio to voice social, political and economic grievances. Voices of...

In Malawi, an audience-driven radio programme has gained popularity by exposing everyday injustices.

In a briefing published on the 50th anniversary of Sierra Leone’s independence, Africa Research Institute examines the causes and history of electoral strife in the country. Every election since independence in 1961 has been attended by violence. Old Tricks, Young Guns: Elections...

Sierra Leone is acclaimed as one of Africa’s most successful post-conflict states. But the country remains fragile. Support for political parties is polarised on ethnic and regional lines, and underwritten by patronage. Youth unemployment is endemic.

How do we constructively define public goods in contemporary Africa and what role can they play in the continent’s development? Jonathan Bhalla investigates.

While President Paul Kagame’s leadership of Rwanda has been championed as “visionary”, President Isaias Afwerki is accused of transforming Eritrea into a rogue, pariah state. Popular perceptions of these comparable countries have been simplistic – and polarised.

Chris Marshall suggests that the progress of mobile banking in Nigeria will be a telling indicator for the viability of such a system elsewhere in Africa.

With Britain re-embracing a closer alignment of aid programmes and foreign policy, will support be given to countries attempting to build a base for their economic growth? Jenny Congrave sought some answers.

The mere presence of cyber cafes and WAP enabled mobile phones will not entice the vast majority of Africans to go online, unless what they can access is relevant to their everyday lives, suggests Jonathan Bhalla.