Technology In Africa Research Articles

The Impact of Mobile Money on Perception about Cash and Financial Inclusion: Micro-Level Evidence from Uganda

The debate about the future of cash has recently intensified as technology innovations in the financial sector accelerate digital payments and the creation of new, digital forms of money. Several countries have embraced initiatives towards cashless or cash-light payments. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), mobile money has dominated the list of digital payment innovations. These innovations hold the potential to alter individuals’ behaviour towards cash. Will mobile money render cash less dominant in Africa? Can it promote financial inclusion? We address these questions by exploring individual-level data for Uganda, a country in an African region that pioneered the mobile money revolution in the world. We use the Propensity Score Matching method to robustly compare mobile money users and non-users across various indicators that capture individuals’ perceptions about cash, and the extent to which they remit, save, and borrow money. We present the first evidence that mobile money users, compared to non-users, are more likely to perceive cash as risky and less likely to prefer carrying large amounts of cash. We also confirm that mobile money users are more likely to receive and send remittances, save, and borrow. They also save and borrow larger amounts. The estimation methodology used in the paper, robustness analysis, and a falsification test help reduce potential concerns about selection bias and reverse causality. Two implications emerge from the findings. First, the rapid expansion of fintech technologies in Africa is likely to reduce, although slowly, the demand for and usage of cash over time. Second, the expansion of fintech technologies could help promote financial inclusion in Africa

The emergence of large flake-based Acheulian technology: perspective from the highland site-complex of Melka Wakena, Ethiopia

Isaac GL (1969) proposed that Large Cutting Tools (LCTs) made on large flake blanks detached from giant/boulder cores are the key technological variable that distinguishes the Acheulian from the Oldowan. The production of large flake blanks was initially observed in the earliest records of the Acheulian technology in Africa ca. 1.75 Ma, subsequently becoming a technological feature of many sites across eastern Africa. Still, the mode and tempo of evolution of the large flake-based Acheulian technology remains poorly understood. Here we report on the large flake-based Acheulian assemblage at locality MW5 in the Melka Wakena site-complex, chronologically constrained between 1.37 and 1.34 Ma. At the site-complex level we note that aspects related to small flake production remain relatively unchanged since ~ 1.6 Ma. Secondary modification of small flakes by retouch remained marginal and there is only a slight increase in the frequency of structured reduction of cores, compared to the earlier 1.6 Ma assemblage. In contrast, the MW5 lithic assemblages inform of the diachronic shift of lithic techno-economy into a large flake-based LCTs technology. This shift is characterized by: (1) A highly selective use of a specific raw material (glassy ignimbrite) for the production of large flake blanks; (2) transport of prepared large flake blanks from relatively distant sources into the sites as part of a spatially and temporally fragmented reduction sequence; (3) improved know-how of large flake production, (4) the introduction of the Kombewa technology; (5) a unified technological concept for the production of handaxes and cleavers, diverging only in the specific decisions determining their final shape parameters. Taken together, these trends indicate changes in techno-economic strategies related to LCT production, including higher levels of pre-planning in the raw material acquisition stage and higher investment in controlling the morphometric properties of the artifacts.

Сравнительный анализ развития Eдиных Информационных Систем Здравоохранения (ЕИСЗ) в странах Африки, Северной Америки и Европы: проблемы и перспективы.

This study presents a comparative analysis of the development of unified healthcare information systems (UHIS) in North America, Europe, and Africa. The research examines key aspects of UHIS implementation, including population coverage by electronic health records, telemedicine development, system interoperability, and regulatory frameworks. The analysis revealed significant regional differences in approaches to healthcare digitalization and UHIS implementation levels. North America is characterized by high digital technology adoption but faces challenges in integrating disparate systems. The European region shows heterogeneity, with Northern European countries leading, while Southern and Eastern Europe lag in UHIS development. The African continent presents the most contrasting picture, with a small group of leading countries and most states in the early stages of digitalization. The study identified common challenges across all regions, including ensuring interoperability, protecting personal data, and overcoming healthcare professionals' resistance to change. Special attention is given to innovative approaches, such as the use of mobile technologies in Africa to overcome infrastructure limitations. The research results emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to UHIS implementation, considering not only technological but also socio-economic factors. The study concludes that successful UHIS development requires a clear national strategy, adequate funding, and active involvement of all stakeholders.

Biogas production and techno‐economic feasibility studies of setting up household biogas technology in Africa: A critical review

AbstractThis critical review examines the potential of household biogas technology in Africa, focusing on biogas production and techno‐economic feasibility studies. The review highlights the benefits of biogas technology, including renewable energy generation, waste management, and improved public health. A significant portion of Africa's rural population, approximately 60%, grapples with limited access to reliable power sources. The study analyzes various biogas production systems, including anaerobic digesters and biomass gasifiers, and evaluates their economic viability in different African contexts. The review identifies key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, and public awareness. Biogas production stands out as one of the promising renewable energy sources. However, it also discusses the challenges and limitations of implementing this technology on a continental scale. The study analyzes various biogas production systems, including anaerobic digesters and biomass gasifiers, and evaluates their economic viability in different African contexts. The review identifies key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, and public awareness. The study concludes by recommending strategies for scaling up biogas technology in Africa, including capacity building, technology transfer, and innovative financing models. The review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working towards sustainable energy solutions in Africa.

Artificial Intelligence And Cancer Care in Africa

AI's potential to revolutionize oncology through enhanced diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring is well-documented globally. However, in Africa, its adoption has been slower, albeit steadily progressing. This commentary explores the integration of artificial Intelligence in cancer care across Africa, assessing its current state, challenges and future directions. It highlights significant AI innovations in cancer diagnostics, such as DataPathology, PapsAI, MinoHealth, and Hurone AI, which utilize AI for tissue analysis, cervical cell imaging, disease forecasting, and remote patient monitoring. Despite these advancements, several challenges impede AI's full integration into African healthcare systems. Key issues include data privacy and security, algorithm bias, and insufficient regulatory frameworks. The review emphasizes the necessity of robust data protection policies, representative datasets to mitigate biases, and clear guidelines for AI deployment tailored to the African context. Emerging AI technologies in Africa, such as AI-enhanced telemedicine, mobile health applications, predictive analytics, and virtual tumor boards, show promise in overcoming geographic and resource limitations. These innovations can facilitate remote consultations, continuous patient monitoring, and multidisciplinary collaborations, thereby improving cancer care accessibility and outcomes. Conclusively, recommendations for enhancing AI integration in African cancer care, including investing in data infrastructure, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and fostering international collaborations are discussed. Addressing ethical and regulatory challenges is crucial to ensure responsible and effective use of AI technologies. By leveraging AI, Africa can significantly improve cancer care delivery, reduce mortality rates, and enhance patient quality of life.

Multi-criteria decision-making approach in assessing the key barriers to the adoption and use of SWH in West Africa–Combination of modified Delphi and Fuzzy AHP

Africa faces a significant energy crisis, with over 600 million people lacking access to affordable and reliable power to meet their energy demands, despite the continent's vast solar energy potential. Several studies have indicated the high potential of solar water heaters (SWH) in various African countries in Africa due to the enormous solar energy resource. However, the diffusion and use of the same in Africa, especially in the West African sub-region, have been very slow compared to other sub-regions. This study thus assesses the barriers that affect the adoption and use of SWH systems using the Delphi method and the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process to prioritize and rank them for decision-making. The study identified five main barriers and prioritized them in the order of financing, gender, and market-related barriers (51 %), political, policy, and regulatory barriers (19 %), technical barriers (14 %), socio-cultural and public awareness barriers (11 %), as well as lack of standardization and quality assurance (6 %). The high cost of finance as well as difficulties in accessing finance prevent private sector investment, which ultimately affects the large-scale use of the SWH system in the sub-region. Also, the uneducated and a section of the educated do not fully appreciate the merits of the SWH system. This paper is expected to inform academics, practitioners, and regulators on future efforts to adopt for the SWH technologies in Africa, and to improve policies and strategies for their adoption across the continent.

What does the Thinking about Relationalism and Humanness in African Philosophy imply for Different Modes of Being Present in the Metaverse?

In this article, I interrogate whether the deployment and development of the Metaverse should take into account African values and modes of knowing to foster the uptake of this hyped technology in Africa. Specifically, I draw on the moral norms arising from the components of communal interactions and humanness in Afro-communitarianism to contend that the deployment of the Metaverse and its development ought to reflect core African moral values to foster its uptake in the region. To adequately align the Metaverse with African core values and thus foster its uptake among Africans, significant technological advancement that makes simulating genuine human experiences possible must occur. Additionally, it would be necessary for the developers and deployers to ensure that higher forms of spiritual activities can be had in the Metaverse to foster its uptake in Africa. Finally, I justify why the preceding points do not necessarily imply that the Metaverse will have a higher moral status than reallife on the moral scale that can be grounded in Afro-communitarianism.

Assisted reproductive technologies in Africa: The African Network and Registry for ART, 2020

What were the utilization, effectiveness and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Africa during 2020? Cross-sectional, cycle-based and retrospective summary data were collected from voluntarily participating ART centres. During 2020, 37,063 ART procedures were reported by 67 centres in 15 countries. Autologous fresh transfers were predominant at 65.0%, whereas autologous frozen embryo transfers (FET) represented 26.2% and oocyte donation cycles remained less than 10%. Women undergoing autologous fresh embryo transfer had a mean age of 34.9 years and received a mean number of 2.4 embryos per transfer. The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) per embryo transfer was 37.3% after fresh embryo transfer and 37.8% after frozen embryo transfer. The cumulative CPR per aspiration was 41.9% in autologous cycles. Most ART procedures resulted in a multiple delivery rate above 20%. After autologous ART, multiples were predominantly born preterm (twin and triplet deliveries 59.5% versus singleton 21.9% born before 37 weeks), with a substantially increased perinatal mortality compared with ART singletons (59.0‰ versus 22.2‰). Cycle-based data documented that elective single embryo transfer (eSET) provides the optimal balance of effectiveness (eSET CPR per embryo transfer 36.7%) and safety. This fourth report of the African Network and Registry for ART provides real-world evidence of ART utilization, practices and outcomes in Africa, which is relevant to many stakeholders. It critically informs and represents regional ART development based on national, regional and global cooperation.

Youth and Contemporary Cultures: Bible and African Youth’s Engagement with Technology

This research paper examines the intricate relationship between African youth, technology, and the Bible, highlighting the profound impact of contemporary digital cultures on the religious experiences and practices of young people in Africa. In an era characterized by unprecedented advancements in technology and rapid globalization, the intersection of faith and digital innovation emerged as a compelling subject of study. This research investigates the multifaceted ways in which African youth engage with the Bible through various technological mediums, such as smartphones, social media, and digital applications. The paper begins by contextualizing the religious landscape in Africa and the enduring significance of the Bible as a spiritual guide and cultural touchstone for diverse African communities. It then explores the evolving digital habits and preferences of African youth, showcasing the pivotal role of technology in shaping their daily lives. Through an extensive review of the literature, the study reveals how digital platforms have become dynamic spaces for religious expression, community building, and the dissemination of religious knowledge among African youth. Furthermore, the research examines the challenges and opportunities that arise from this intersection of faith and technology, including issues related to authenticity, interpretation, and religious authority. It also sheds light on the potential for digital technologies to bridge geographical and cultural divides, fostering a sense of global interconnectedness among African youth with shared religious beliefs. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of the intricate dynamics between youth, contemporary cultures, the Bible, and technology in Africa. It underscores the need for nuanced perspectives on the impact of digitalization on religious practices and offers insights into how African youth navigate the complexities of faith and technology in their pursuit of spiritual meaning and identity within an evolving globalized world

Pioneering Digital Transformation in African: The Path to Maturity Amidst Unique Challenges and Opportunities

This paper employs a scoping review methodology to thoroughly investigate the distinctive challenges and opportunities that define digital transformation in African organizations. By examining critical dimensions, including technological infrastructure, governmental commitment, organizational culture, human capital development, regulatory environments, market dynamics, and economic factors, the study provides an in-depth analysis against the backdrop of Africa's burgeoning economies and the transformative aftermath of COVID-19. The scoping review methodology facilitates a comprehensive and expansive approach to literature examination, aligning key variables and essential terms with relevant literature sources. Drawing insights from a diverse range of materials, the findings illuminate both the transformative potential of digital technologies in Africa and the persistent hurdles, such as the digital divide, skills shortages, and infrastructure deficits. The synthesis of these insights not only underscores the imperative for innovation and widespread adoption but also emphasizes the necessity of societal restructuring to fully realize the impact of digital technologies in Africa. In conclusion, the paper offers recommendations that advocate for holistic, collaborative solutions, bringing together governments, private entities, and educational institutions in strategic alignment with the global discourse on Africa's role in the digital economy.

Strengthening population and public health data governance in the era of digital technology in Africa.

Strengthening population and public health data governance in the era of digital technology in Africa.

Decolonizing Digital Technology in Africa: A Political Thought

This paper critically examines how almost everybody in the world cannot survive without using digital technology tools in the contemporary days. The use of digital technology tools has become a daily life requirement in the world. It is in such a perspective that these digital technology tools are therefore assessed as the pre-requisite tools that are needed for almost everybody nowadays. However, in the African context and taking Africa as the unity of analysis, the same digital technology tools are criticized for having both negative and positive impacts on African society. Mostly judged as good for adults, some researchers observe that digital technology tools are very dangerous to young children if not supervised by adults for what they have to use them for. From an African political perspective, these tools are not only dangerous but also colonial apparatuses based on the fact that these tools are colonially designed—a scandal for African society. Politically, any fabricated technological device is made for a particular objective. This questions multiple missions of technological digital tools that are exported to Africa—considered as a laboratory. Decolonizing digital technology in Africa therefore attracts an African political thought as an emergent need to challenge such a dominium digito-colonial complex situation.

5G deployment strategies: Challenges and opportunities: A comparative review for Africa and the USA

The deployment of 5G technology represents a transformative leap in telecommunications, promising unparalleled speed, connectivity, and innovation. This paper conducts a comparative review of 5G deployment strategies, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Africa and the USA. The analysis explores the contextual differences in regulatory frameworks, investment climates, and technological landscapes between the two regions. Addressing the challenges of infrastructure development, spectrum allocation, and socioeconomic considerations, the paper highlights the diverse pathways each region is taking toward 5G adoption. Additionally, the study identifies common opportunities, such as the potential for leapfrogging technologies in Africa and leveraging existing infrastructure in the USA. By understanding the distinct dynamics at play, this comparative review aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers navigating the complex terrain of 5G deployment in diverse global contexts.

Effect of green taxation on renewable energy technologies: an analysis of commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

African nations encounter difficulties enforcing regulations and providing incentives for using renewable energy sources. However, several nations are making efforts to encourage renewable energy through financial and tax advantages. Therefore, a shift to renewable energy is essential for African nations to experience sustainable growth and lessen environmental deterioration. Similarly, the extant literature examining green taxes' influence on renewable energy technology has documented equivocal findings. Hence, there is a need for a more thorough investigation. This study, therefore, explores the influence of green taxation on renewable energy technologies of emerging countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We employed data from a sample of 28 countries of 54 African countries spanning 21years from 2001 to 2021, providing a panel of 588 country-year observations. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank Dataset provided all the study's data. A heterogeneous dynamic panel data modelling using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) has been adopted. The study found that green taxes might be used to mitigate the adverse effects of non-renewable energy activities on the environment in Africa. Considering the findings of the components of green taxes, it was recognised that an increase in energy-related tariffs would lead to a growth in Africa's use of renewable energy. It was further established that an increase in transport taxes increases the adoption of renewable energy technologies in Africa. A comparative analysis between the commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries showed that green taxes of commonwealth countries in Africa significantly contribute to the growth of renewable energy technologies compared to non-commonwealth countries in Africa. Primarily, the results of this study can be a valuable resource for African governments and policymakers as they develop policies and evaluate legislation about the usage of renewable energy sources and other green practices. Finally, the study can shed light on creating and using efficient tax laws that support renewable energy sources.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in case of Micro Enterprises and Tribal Entrepreneurships for Sustainable Economic Development

INTRODUCTION: Tribal entrepreneurship can be understood as infusing the knowledge of commerce and trade into the tribal groups and thereby exploring their products and known for their economic betterment and social advancement. An accumulating body of research has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) is an indistinguishable feature of the fourth industrial revolution. This study integrates the literature on AI and new technologies to examine the constraining and facilitating forces for developing and scaling-up AI-enabling technologies in Africa. This article proposes an integrated conceptual model to elucidate the range of external drivers encompassing global competitive drivers, and market and industry drivers. The internal drivers include the potential to enhance product development speed, improve quality, drive production cost down, and minimise errors and manual processes in organisations. 
 OBJECTIVES: In this study, socio-economic status of tribal population has been taken as a reference in order to see whether there is any impact of economic wellbeing on their livelihood [1]. The study is an endeavour to examine the role of micro enterprises for social and economic empowerment of tribal community in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and role of AI.
 RESULTS: The main results obtained in this paper are the following SEM identified that there is a lower degree of positive impact of “Tribal entrepreneurship” on “Economic Empowerment” and “women Empowerment” and lower degree of negative impact on “Social Empowerment”. It is also concluded that Economic Empowerment of tribal entrepreneurs through micro-enterprises has reduced the dependency on private money lenders the most. Women Empowerment of tribal entrepreneurs has helped the women to achieve gender equality and the social Empowerment aids in the development of competency and technical skills through micro-enterprises.
 CONCLUSION: The tribal communities in Odisha are regarded as the most disadvantageous group of people in terms of their socio-economic status. The present research makes some pivotal contributions to the current AI literature. First, in spite of the growing recognition that development of new industries and new-business development is increasingly predicated on the adoption of new technologies (Krasniqi and Hajrizi Citation2016), there is a paucity of studies examining contemporary challenges faced by developing nations and their inability to capitalise on such ample and obvious opportunities.

Exploring the adoption of blockchain technology in africa: Insights from direct observation and literature review

Exploring the adoption of blockchain technology in africa: Insights from direct observation and literature review

Scaling up delivery of HIV services in Africa through harnessing trends across global emerging innovations.

Globally, innovations for HIV response present exciting opportunities to enhance the impact and cost-effectiveness of any HIV program. However, countries especially in the African region are not on equal footing to effectively harness some of the existing innovations to accelerate impact on HIV services delivery. This paper aims to add to the discourse on innovative solutions to support countries to make informed decisions related to technologies that can be adapted in different contexts to strengthen HIV programs. A scoping review which involved a search of innovations that can be used in response to the HIV epidemic was carried out between June 2021 and December 2022. The results showed that a high level of technological advancement occurred in the area of digital technologies and devices. Out of the 202 innovations, 90% were digital technologies, of which 34% were data collection and analytics, 45% were mobile based applications, and 12% were social media interventions. Only 10% fell into the category of devices, of which 67% were rapid diagnostic tools (RDTs) and 19% were drone-based technologies among other innovative tools. The study noted that most of the innovations that scaled relied on a strong ICT infrastructure backbone. The scoping review presents an opportunity to assess trends, offer evidence, and outline gaps to drive the adoption and adaptation of such technologies in Africa.

Towards a more effective and coordinated response by the African Union on children’s privacy online in Africa

The development and expansion of digital technologies in Africa have brought invaluable opportunities for the realisation of children’s rights. However, the significant growth of internet connectivity and ICT access has also raised concerns about children’s online safety and privacy. With growing concerns on children’s privacy and personal data protection, there is a need for robust harmonised standards and regulatory frameworks to address all aspects of children’s privacy online. Through desk review, this article assesses the extent to which children’s right to privacy online and personal data is protected and integrated in the standards and regulatory frameworks of the African Union. An assessment of the applicable instruments and jurisprudence of the key human rights bodies indicates that children’s privacy online and data protection are not adequately addressed as there is limited or no focus on the protection of children’s personal data online. In most instruments related to cybersecurity, there are no explicit provisions relating to the protection of children’s personal data and childrenare only mentioned in provisions on child pornography. The article argues that children deserve specific protection as a vulnerable group hence the urgent need to explicitly protect children’s personal data and privacy in the human rights instruments adopted at the African Union level as it is the approach in the European Union’s General Data Protection. The article further argues that there is a need to adopt more effective measures by the African Union and its organs to ensure that children’s privacy in all its aspects is protected in the digital sphere.

A global systematic literature review on sustainable soil management practices (1994–2022)

AbstractSustainable Soil Management Practices (SSMP) offer potential benefits while conserving natural resources. However, the low adoption of SSMP limits the achievement of their full potential. To examine the current state of knowledge on SSMP adoption and identify research gaps, we systematically reviewed 269 peer‐reviewed publications pooled from Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect, covering the period from 1994 to 2022. We assessed the temporal and spatial transitions of SSMP adoption and identified a broad perspective of 14 themes on SSMP adoption and highlight the research trends and gaps. Prior to 2010, research on SSMP adoption was concentrated on a few themes and has become diversified in later years, covering emerging themes such as climate change and use Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Publications on SSMP adoption exhibited a global distribution, with particular emphasis on the African continent due to the flow of donors' funds driven by severe soil degradation and limited use of improved technologies in Africa. Studies on minimum soil disturbance were prevalent worldwide, with the highest number of publications. Our findings also indicate a strong research collaboration between developed and developing countries, showcasing donor‐driven collaborative efforts and mutual benefits across different regions. This review however highlights the limited inclusion of local knowledge in SSMP promotion and recommends a bottom‐up approach for future initiatives. In the discussion section, different critical factors of SSMP adoption covering farmers' perceptions, climate change, policy impact and the use of ICT are discussed. These findings and identified research gaps are useful for further research and the development of sustainable soil management policies, programmes and projects.

Nuclear fission technology in Africa: Assessing challenges and opportunities for future development

Nuclear fission technology offers a potential solution for meeting Africa's increasing energy demands while also supporting economic development and regional cooperation. However, significant challenges such as financing and investment barriers, technical capacity gaps, and public concerns about safety and security persist. This article explores the key opportunities and challenges for nuclear fission technology in Africa, examining current and planned nuclear power projects and analyzing their successes, challenges, and lessons learned. We also discuss strategies for advancing nuclear power programs in African countries, including policy and regulatory reforms, investment and financing mechanisms, human resource development, capacity building, and public engagement and education. The need for further research into the potential environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts of nuclear power plants in African countries is emphasized, as well as the development of innovative and sustainable nuclear technologies tailored to African contexts. Ultimately, achieving sustainable and safe deployment of nuclear fission technology in Africa will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach, with partnerships and collaborations playing a critical role.