African Economies Research Articles

How accurate are existing land cover maps for agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Satellite Earth observations (EO) can provide affordable and timely information for assessing crop conditions and food production. Such monitoring systems are essential in Africa, where food insecurity is high and agricultural statistics are sparse. EO-based monitoring systems require accurate cropland maps to provide information about croplands, but there is a lack of data to determine which of the many available land cover maps most accurately identify cropland in African countries. This study provides a quantitative evaluation and intercomparison of 11 publicly available land cover maps to assess their suitability for cropland classification and EO-based agriculture monitoring in Africa using statistically rigorous reference datasets from 8 countries. We hope the results of this study will help users determine the most suitable map for their needs and encourage future work to focus on resolving inconsistencies between maps and improving accuracy in low-accuracy regions.

Rethinking Insecurity and Scoping Security Threat in Nigeria: Looking Ahead

Early in the 2000s, Boko Haram emerged with an Islamisation agenda concentrating mostly on Nigeria the largest African economy. There is empirical evidence suggesting that the government of Nigeria has not successfully warded off this group’s hostility. Yet there are gaps in security threats and extant literature. This study therefore examined the instability and anomic conditions resulting from this insurgency using the document analysis method and the Containment Theory employed as the theoretical framework. The analysis showed that there is no clear reason why the Nigerian military has failed to contain the Boko Haram insurgency given the army’s undoubted gallantry after excelling in several international peacekeeping assignments. It was recommended that public programs for enlightenment through community engagement and transparency would influence positively the government’s efforts to contain these terrorist activities. Given the complex nature of terrorism, there is a need for robust empirical studies that have to be done before any meaningful policy implementation can be considered. This study will amplify the international awareness of violent extremist activities in this most populated African nation. It will significantly provide the Nigerian government, human rights groups, researchers, civil society, policymakers, and public and private security agents with more knowledge to understand these terrorists better. Keywords: Nigeria, Threat, Peace, Security, Boko Haram

Navigating the digital horizon: Future trends and predictions in Africa

The article explores Africa's digital transformation, emphasizing the significant increase in digital engagement, with 473 million Africans currently online and an expected 300 million more by 2025. It discusses the integration of artificial intelligence, Blockchain technology, and the internet of things across various sectors, highlighting their potential to revolutionize agriculture, healthcare, governance, and urban planning in Africa. Despite the promising aspects, the article identifies challenges such as infrastructure needs, regulatory gaps, and digital literacy. It concludes by stressing the importance of education, policy frameworks, and international collaboration to navigate these hurdles and fully harness the potential of digital technologies for Africa's development.

Revitalizing Smallholder Farming in Africa: Insights from China's Science and Technology Backyard Model

Revitalizing Smallholder Farming in Africa: Insights from China's Science and Technology Backyard Model

Area-wide pest management and prospects for fall armyworm control on smallholder farms in Africa: A review

Area-wide pest management and prospects for fall armyworm control on smallholder farms in Africa: A review

Trade costs and the integration of British West Africa in the global economy, c. 1840–1940

AbstractDespite the essential role of trade for African economies, in the extensive literature on the historical evolution of international trade costs, Africa is still missing. In this article, we contribute to filling this gap by (1) providing the first estimates of British West Africa's trade costs with Britain c. 1840–1940 by computing relative price gaps in a representative sample of African export and European import prices, and (2) analysing the main determinants of trade costs trends, by regressing price gaps on measures of transport costs, market efficiency, and trade barriers. The results uncover a diverging pattern in African and global trade costs trends, which was not noticed in the previous literature. British West Africa experienced a reduction in its trade costs with Britain c. 1840–70, similar to the one we observe in other world areas, thanks to improvements in shipping technology and market efficiency. From the late 1870s, however, as colonial monopsonistic trading companies consolidated their control of African export markets, trade costs continued to decline in the rest of the world, but not in British West Africa. Consequently, from the late nineteenth century, trade for West Africa became relatively more expensive than for other world regions.

Incivility and engagement: the role of emotional exhaustion and psychological capital in service organizations

Purpose Based on the conservation of resource theory and the affective events theory, the study aims to explore the role of workplace incivility in predicting work engagement through emotional exhaustion and how psychological capital moderates this relationship. Design/methodology/approach Using the questionnaire survey with a sample of 278 restaurant employees in Ghana and through process macro analysis, the hypotheses were tested. Findings The results depict the mediating role of emotional exhaustion on the workplace incivility–engagement relationship. Also, the level of an individual’s psychological capital buffers the impact of workplace incivility on engagement through emotional exhaustion. When psychological capital is high, the negative effect of workplace incivility on work engagement through emotional exhaustion weakens. Practical implications The findings suggest that organizations, particularly those in developing economies in Africa, can derive immense benefit from giving psychological capital training to employees to help buffer the effects of incivility on engagement through emotional exhaustion. Originality/value With a focus on a developing economy in Africa, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is novel in exploring the mediating and moderating mechanisms of the incivility–engagement relationship.

Digitally enabled business models for a circular plastic economy in Africa

In recognition of the need for an economic logic that complements and reinforces the ecological imperative for the circular plastic economy, this paper explores the importance and impact of digitally enabled circular plastic business models across retailing and distribution systems. The paper draws from 16 focus group discussions, complemented by 17 semi-structured interviews of frontline organisations incorporating digital innovations in their businesses to enable the management of plastic waste in Africa. The study finds that, across African countries, the transition to a circular plastic economy has been hampered by the limited uptake of circular products by consumers. In order to accelerate the transition, innovative business models are required to invigorate the ecosystem and simplify the logistics of retailing and distribution systems. The paper proposes a new conceptual framework that explicates the impact of digital innovations in the processes of value creation and value capture across a whole spectrum of circular economy reverse logistics activities: recycling, redistribution, and remanufacture. The study also highlights two important social and policy implications of digitally-enabled circular business models: Firstly, the creation of new employment opportunities through the empowerment of a new labour force for the circular plastic economy; secondly, the heightened opportunity to enact an innovative sharing economy in typically resource-constrained contexts in which otherwise idle products and resources are more efficiently used in a process of collaborative consumption.

Critical Indicators on Macro Economics adoption in GDP: A systematic review

The study's goal is to investigate how important macroeconomic factors affect certain African nations. These metrics are crucial for the economies' effective development and can be utilized to address the many economic issues that the chosen countries are currently dealing with. 91 publications published between 2004 and 2022 were examined using the Scopus database. With an emphasis on five major factors: Growth Domestic Product (GDP), Interest Rate, Exchange Rate, Inflation, and Foreign Direct Investment this study evaluated and analyzed the literary elements and themes explored in order to give guidance for future research. The findings revealed that Interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, and foreign direct investment (FDI) are some of the macroeconomic variables that can affect the selected African economies. Foreign direct investment has been identified as the most important factor in improving industrial prosperity and living standards in developing economies such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco after stabilizing interest rates, inflation and currency exchange rates. The study's findings are supported by material that has been published in previous years. Given that a number of recent economic issues have had an impact on the expansion of the economy, it is necessary to evaluate the ideas using panel data from the past 20 years in order to ascertain whether they are still valid. The report highlights the key macroeconomic factors that may have an impact on five different African economies. The study combines a number of economic metrics that have previously been studied separately to assess the trend in the economies it has chosen. To the best of my knowledge, this study is one of the few that evaluates both the individual countries used and the indicators in general.

The impact of indigenous practices to promote women's empowerment in agriculture in South Africa.

The impact of indigenous practices to promote women's empowerment in agriculture in South Africa.

CONTEXTUALISING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A PANACEA TO YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Youth unemployment has bewildered governments across the globe, both in developed and emerging economies countries, with South Africa being no exception. This is captured through the accelerating youth unemployment rate in the country. Considering the positive contributions of excessive youth entrepreneurship policies in other countries, this paper, through the lenses of Schumpeter’s 1934 economic development theory, demonstrates that through entrepreneurship, the South African government should strive to accelerate the already implemented and discard the less effective youth policies. Consequently, creating an innovative environment centered around the youth eradicates the exacerbating percentage of inactive or discouraged youth due to unemployment. Longer spells of inactivity threaten their human development and their contribution to the South African economy. Therefore, a youth-driven entrepreneurship economy can assist the government in counter-solving upcoming and persistent negative effects of unemployed youth. Keeping the youth productive, and innovative, creating jobs and incomes.

Central Bank Independence, Inflation and Money Growth: Evidence from South Africa

Purpose: This article evaluates the impact of the de jure independence of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on the credibility and discipline of domestic monetary policy. Credibility captures the extent to which economic agents trust the SARB to pursue its price stability mandate and is measured by the relationship between the SARB’s independence and domestic inflation. Discipline relates to the effect of independence on money growth rates, while independence is associated with a more disciplined central bank and moderate money growth rates. Methodology: A simple autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) econometric specification and Granger causality tests are employed. Following the extant empirical literature, existing indexes of central bank independence (CBI) are regressed on annual rates of inflation and M2 money growth. Findings: A statistically significant negative relationship is established between both i) CBI and inflation and ii) CBI and money growth for the South African economy. This suggests that the SARB’s legal independence plays an important role in containing inflation (credibility) and limiting excessive money growth (discipline). Contribution: This article fills a gap in the extant literature by being the first attempt at formalising the empirical link between de jure CBI, inflation, and the rate of money growth in the South African economy.

Assessing Inequality and Its Translation on Economic Growth and Human Development in West Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa in general and West Africa in particular are ranked as one of the most unequal regions of the world. This study aims at investigating the direct effect of inequality on economic growth and human development (HD). To assess this effect, we use three variables and rigorous estimation techniques. The indirect effect of inequality on the economic growth–HD nexus in West Africa is analyzed with a view to identifying ways of realigning the policies to bring down inequality in West African economies. For this, we compare different standpoints on how inequality affects this nexus. Then, we run fixed effect panel regression and random effect panel regression on various models to test the hypotheses. We find that the positive impact of inequality on HD and economic growth in the most developed economies of the region results from deliberate policies coupled with strong economic and socio-political foundation.

The Influence of Education on Women and Food Security

The study analysed the influence of education on women and food security in South Africa. The methodological approach was a qualitative analysis using focus group discussions and an in-depth desktop review of relevant literature on the education system. The focus group discussions were about rural women's farming initiatives, looking at the influence of education on productivity. According to the study, educational level and farm productivity are directly correlated. The women in the focus group discussions mentioned that education and training were critical for food production and household food security. In addition, education is essential for women to imagine and implement strategies and opportunities to gain employment and move up the commodity value chain. Furthermore, a specialised curriculum in technical subjects at primary and secondary levels targeting girls was essential for establishing a strong foundation for them. Adult education, especially in primary education courses targeting women, improves women's agriculture participation. Since women are the custodians of smallholder agriculture, gender transformative approaches such as tailor-made financial and leadership support are also critical for the socio-economic development of agriculture in South Africa.

Design, construction, and field testing of a spiral water wheel pump

The global expansion in farmland and the increase in the world population has compounded the need for more efficient water use. The spiral water wheel pump can be a valuable and low-cost option for pumping water for surface and subsurface irrigation for farmland near flowing water bodies. This low-cost water-lifting device, which uses the kinetic energy of a flowing stream/river to lift water to homes and farmlands, can help smallholder farmers expand the growing season into the dry season. It is more cost-effective than conventional energy sources. It can be used in areas with limited access to electricity or fossil fuels because the energy of pumping is derived from the kinetic energy of flowing water. Its simplicity, adaptability, and low maintenance requirements make it a valuable tool for communities seeking water security and improved livelihoods. The main objective of this study was to develop performance curves for a version of the pump fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and wood, materials that are readily accessible to smallholder farmers in Africa, to optimize its performance for different field conditions. Laboratory and field tests were performed in Illinois, United States of America, and Sierra Leone, West Africa, with pumps with several pipe diameters/pipe configurations and wheel diameters. During the laboratory tests, a 0.6m diameter single-layer pump with a 2.5cm pipe diameter (18 coils) lifted water to a maximum height of 3.4m. When a 3.8cm pipe diameter (10 coils) was used, the maximum height was reduced to 2.7m. Field tests at an experimental site in Fulton County, Illinois, generated a maximum height of 3.4m and 3.1m when 2.5cm pipe diameters were used on 1.22m and 0.6m diameter wheels, respectively. In Sierra Leone, the maximum height generated was 16m and 8.5m for the 1.22m and 0.6m diameter wheels, respectively, with a 1.9cm pipe diameter. In all the field tests, the pumps only worked when the water velocity exceeded 0.6 ms-1, smaller streams with a velocity less than 0.6 ms-1 can be channeled if necessary. These results indicate that this pump can improve dry season productivity for farmland near the flowing water bodies in developing countries like Sierra Leone. Key words: Wheel diameter, pipe diameters, pipe configuration, discharge rate, stream velocity

A REVIEW OF SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES IN AFRICAN ECONOMIES

This comprehensive review delves into the dynamic landscape of small business growth strategies within the diverse economies of Africa. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in driving economic development and fostering job creation across the continent. However, the challenges faced by these enterprises are multifaceted, ranging from limited access to finance and market constraints to regulatory hurdles. This review examines a spectrum of strategies employed by small businesses to overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable growth. The study analyzes various financial mechanisms that facilitate small business growth in African economies. From traditional banking channels to innovative fintech solutions, the review explores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion and assesses its impact on SME development. Additionally, the role of government policies and interventions in creating an enabling environment for small businesses is scrutinized, shedding light on successful models that have spurred entrepreneurial growth. Market access is a critical determinant of small business success, and this review investigates the strategies employed by SMEs to penetrate local and international markets. From leveraging digital platforms to forming strategic partnerships, the examination reveals the importance of adaptability and innovation in overcoming market entry barriers. Furthermore, the study explores the impact of technology adoption on small businesses, highlighting the transformative power of digital tools in enhancing efficiency, reaching new customers, and optimizing operational processes. In the context of the African continent's unique socio-cultural and economic diversity, the review also delves into the significance of knowledge transfer and skills development. Collaborative initiatives, mentorship programs, and educational interventions are assessed for their role in equipping entrepreneurs with the capabilities required for sustainable growth. In conclusion, this review synthesizes current literature on small business growth strategies in African economies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach that integrates financial inclusion, policy support, technological innovation, and capacity building to foster a vibrant small business ecosystem and contribute to overall economic development in Africa. Keywords: Small Business, Growth, Strategies, Economies, Development.

The effect of digital transformation on the productivity of business enterprises in South Africa

As digital technologies continue to shape the economy, countries are faced with increasing scrutiny in the use of digital transformation to aid productivity and improve performance. In South Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Small and medium-sized businesses’ (SMEs’) uptake of digital technologies, as many businesses had to shift their operations online and adopt new digital tools and technologies to solve the challenges posed by the pandemic. This has led to an increased focus on digital transformation mechanisms among South African firms. Therefore, the study examines the effect of digital transformation on the productivity of firms using cross-sectional data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) (2020). The survey was based on firms and is a representative sample of the private sector in the South African economy and covers a wide variety of business environment themes, such as infrastructure, competitiveness, access to finance, and performance indicators. We found that digital transformation improved productivity of South African firms. Furthermore, empirical findings are reassuring robust to the IV-2SLS and quantile regression model, size of business, sectoral and provincial analysis. Finally, we recommend that policy makers should develop and implement initiatives to improve digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet access and reliable connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas.

The Effectiveness of Climate Adaptation Finance and Readiness on Vulnerability in African Economies

Addressing climate vulnerability remains a priority for economies globally. This study used the panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) methodology to investigate the impact of adaptation financing on climate vulnerability. This analysis examined 52 African countries from 2012 to 2021 while considering their climate adaptation readiness. The impact was also assessed based on the Human Development Index (HDI) categories to reflect different levels of development. The findings showed that adaptation finance considerably influenced climate vulnerability reduction in Africa, particularly in nations with a moderate HDI. However, most countries still need higher levels of adaptation financing, resulting in a small impact on vulnerability reduction. Furthermore, the impact of readiness measures differed by HDI category. Economic and social climate readiness strongly impacted climate vulnerability in high-HDI nations, but governance preparedness was more critical in low-HDI countries. Based on the empirical facts, two policy proposals emerge. First, it is critical to reconsider the distribution of adaptation financing to reduce disparities and effectively alleviate climate vulnerability. Moreover, African economies should consider implementing innovative localized financing mechanisms to mobilize extra adaptation finance. Second, African governments should customize climate readiness interventions based on their HDI levels to improve the achievement of a positive impact on climate vulnerability.

Sustaining Family Businesses through Business Incubation: An Africa-Focused Review

The influence of business incubation systems on family businesses in African economies has not been thoroughly investigated despite the potential contribution of family businesses to Africa’s economic expansion and the attainment of development goals outlined in the Africa Development Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this study investigates the potential benefits that family businesses in Africa can derive from engaging in business incubation. This study utilised an integrative literature review methodology to investigate the research question. Twenty-three peer-reviewed articles were systematically selected from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using the following combination of phrases: “family business” and either “business incubation” or “business incubator”. The findings suggest ways to create a mutually beneficial relationship between family businesses and business incubators to improve long-term sustainability, promote collaboration, facilitate knowledge transfer, and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also recognises challenges, such as cultural alignment in family businesses. Business incubators in Africa can improve the sustainability of family businesses, such as during the succession, by offering support, resources, and guidance. The South African experience is a role model for the rest of the continent, in this regard. Future research should broaden the sources beyond the three databases utilised, including non-peer-reviewed sources such as grey literature, and extend the focus beyond developing economies.

Bibliometric analysis and visualisation of research on life cycle assessment in Africa (1992–2022)

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) has found wide applicability as a tool for assessing the environmental impacts of human activities in different fields such as manufacturing, mining, transportation, oil and gas, construction, and medicine. Despite the wide applicability of LCA globally, the uptake and use of the tool in Africa remains limited. This research is motivated by the need to explore the continental structure of life cycle assessment to ascertain the level of knowledge and research; collaboration amongst institutions, countries, and authors; keyword co-occurrence; thematic evolution; and bibliographic coupling. Methods Publications related to life cycle assessment were retrieved and cleaned from the Scopus database with the language restricted to English and only countries recognised by the African Union. VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) visualisation tool was used to construct and visualise the network maps of researchers, co-occurrence, co-authorships, and keywords. On the other hand, Bibliometrix was employed to carryout descriptive analysis and thematic evolution and to extract bibliographic information. Results and discussion In total, 616 research publications between 1992 and 2022 were retrieved. The results show that research on the subject matter picked up from 2004 and has been on the upward trend. South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria are the top countries carrying out LCA research on the continent. In addition, the top authors, affiliations, and funders also come from these countries. It was also noted that there were low levels of cooperation between authors on the African continent; rather, they collaborate more with researchers in Europe, America, and other parts of the world. The built environment, construction industry, alternative energy, agriculture, and waste management and recycling are the major themes of research on the continent. Conclusion Life cycle assessment is gaining traction amongst researchers in Africa, albeit slowly. Considering the continents’ role in the future especially in providing critical raw materials needed for the transition to a carbon-neutral society in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), rapid uptake and embedding life cycle thinking in every sector of the African economy are needed. However, there is an urgent need to equip researchers with the skills to facilitate the development of a life cycle inventory (LCI) database at countries or continental level.