Millions of people in west Africa rely on fishing to make a living.
Robert Paarlberg/Salata Institute
Coastal fishing communities in west Africa face increased poverty as fish stocks decline.
Several economies are dependent on cocoa.
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Major African cocoa plants in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have stopped or cut processing because they cannot afford to buy beans.
Workers haul part of a fibre optic cable onto the shore at the Kenyan port town of Mombasa.
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Fibre optic cables now literally encircle Africa, though some parts of the continent are far better connected than others.
Tech tools improve the monitoring of ship activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
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Tech tools are playing a vital role in addressing security threats at sea in various west and central African countries.
A Côte d'Ivoire supporter celebrates his team’s win over Nigeria in the Afcon final.
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The depth of talent, record viewership and fair refereeing made it a tournament that proves African football is starting to thrive.
Former Manchester United forward, Bebé (centre), is one of the African diaspora on show at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Around one-third of the players that have been called up to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations were born outside of Africa.
Ivorian supporters watching their team in action at Afcon.
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Why it’s been the most talked-about African football tournament in years: the wins, losses, hosts and bosses.
Haythem Jouini of Tunisia responds to defeat at the hands of underdogs Namibia.
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Critics said that allowing more countries to play would water Afcon down. It’s had the opposite effect.
Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate kisses the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 final.
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Increased prize money, several new broadcasting deals and the biggest names in African football will define the 2024 action.
Hevea brasiliensis is grown in the world’s most biodiverse areas.
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Rubber plantations are replacing forests, particularly in tropical regions.
Kola nut holds a lot of potential not currently explored in Nigeria.
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Beyond ordinary consumption, new research finds uses for kola nut in areas like agriculture and health.
Cocoa farmers in Ghana struggle with poverty.
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Ghana and other west African cocoa growing countries must harness their combined bargaining strength to address the challenges plaguing cocoa farming.
Illustration of a view of Africa from space.
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July 12, 2023
David Baratoux , Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) ; Aziz Diaby Kassamba , Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Cocody, Côte-d'Ivoire ; Marc Harris Yao Fortune , Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Cocody, Côte-d'Ivoire ; Marie Korsaga , Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo , and Pancrace Aka , Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Cocody, Côte-d'Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire’s nanosatellite is the first step towards applications that monitor environmental harm and illegal activities and assist in planning for development.
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By generating new high-resolution maps, researchers found cocoa plantations were causing far worse forest destruction in West Africa than previously thought.
Small arms and light weapons recovered from bandits in Jos, north central Nigeria.
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A lack of political legitimacy can lead governments to illegal purchases of small arms and light weapons.
Democracy cannot survive without free media.
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Finding the right balance between media freedom and limits remains one of the greatest challenges modern democracies face.
Guerillas from the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) pictured in 1990.
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Policies that reduce poverty, inequality and socioeconomic insecurity lower the incentive to engage in or tolerate terrorism.
A small group of protesters holds Russia and Burkina flags as they protest against the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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Although West Africa has made some headway with efforts to propagate democracy, its dividends, in the form of good governance, remain elusive.
Senegal’s goalkeeper Tony Sylva celebrates his side’s famous win against France at the 2002 Fifa World Cup.
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A win is possible - but only in 2026 or 2030 and only if African teams get to play more high level internationals more regularly.
Respectively 60.6% and 62% of women in Liberia and Sierra Leone have experienced at least one act of sexual violence in their life.
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More than 40% are victims of violence at least once in their lifetime, according to research. This is likely the tip of the iceberg.