Explainable support vector regression coupled with quantum firefly optimisation algorithm for carbon emission prediction in West Africa: The role of socioeconomic, energy, and environmental factors

Structural and stratigraphic signatures in linked extensional contractional systems: Implications for petroleum systems, offshore Niger Delta basin, West Africa

Neuropharmacological potentials (antipsychotic-, anxiolytic-, and antidepressant-like activities) of methanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees in vivo: Possible mechanisms, antioxidant activity, and in silico supportive evidence.

How do microgrid PV systems help communities respond to energy supply disruption? A review of the socio-economic interrelationships in West Africa

Use patterns and distribution of indigenous knowledge on three Momordica species in Benin, West Africa

Morphological and molecular evidence reveal the Sarotherodon melanotheron invasion off Taiwan, East Asia.

Logistics costs account for up to 75% of the price of African goods, making them a greater trade barrier in Africa than tariffs and trade restrictions. Improving delivery efficiency is therefore critical for enhancing trade competitiveness. This paper examines the effectiveness of West African ports as a hub, proposing an asymmetric hub system that links West Africa, Europe, and South Americas transatlantic supply chain, and compares it with a traditional multi-gateway configuration. A multi-objective optimization approach based on the e-constraint method is adopted to generate the Pareto frontier between conflicting liner shipping goals- cost reduction, environmental sustainability, and on-time service performance. The results highlight a strong empirical correlation between emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, and liners tactical decisions, contrasting on-time/ cost performance. This finding predicts liner's support for a higher probability of failure for on-time delivery under energy efficiency scenarios, whereas the opposite is also true, that is, improving customer service for high pollution. However, given the above goal conflicts, the analysis reveals a clear macro-level tradeoff between hubbing and de-hubbing strategies. Overall, the results suggest that adopting an asymmetric hub system can enhance West Africa trade competitiveness and sustainability. These insights should encourage policymakers to prioritize strategic hub-port investments and provide liner operators with a set of Pareto-optimal solutions for redesigning logistical networks that better balance cost, service, and environmental performance across the transatlantic supply chain.

ABSTRACT Background Religious leaders have been involved in health promotion campaigns for many years across West Africa, such as their engagement in the HIV/AIDS pandemic response. This involvement in public health campaigns has indicated varied results in the past and therefore a critical approach is required when engaging them in the outbreak response. Little is known about religious leaders’ perceptions of their role in communicating Ebola risks during the 2014–2016 outbreak in Sierra Leone. Objectives To better understand religious leader’s perceptions of their roles communicating risk during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Methods In this qualitative study, 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with religious leaders in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Five Christian and Islamic leaders were recruited from multiple national religious organizations including male and female leaders. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes were developed from the data that illustrated the different strategies religious leaders used when establishing public confidence in their role communicating risk and the messages they communicated during the outbreak. Religious leaders described how they established themselves as non-political actors in the outbreak response. Religious leaders both adapted pre-existing roles, including offering community support during crises, and assumed new responsibilities, such as fostering interreligious collaboration to develop Ebola-specific risk communication strategies. Conclusions Religious leaders were pragmatic in their approach to risk communication, leveraging political distrust and collaborating with other actors to strengthen their position. Interreligious unity and scripturally supported messaging helped to establish confidence in the public health emergency response.

The current study assesses the impact of industrial pineapple by-products (IPBP) in the diet of West African Dwarf (WAD) lambs through in vitro and in vivo experiments. To achieve this aim, the IPBP was collected from the factory and included in the WAD diet (CTR: 0%, IPBP14: 14% and IPBP28: 28%). The diets were analysed and tested in vitro using the gas production technique. For the in vivo experiment, 24 WAD lambs (15.98 ± 1.5 kg; aged six to seven months) were assigned to three groups of eight animals each in a completely randomised design. Each group was assigned randomly to one diets(CTR, IPBP14 or IPBP28). The experiment lasted for 64 days, including 14 days of adaptation and data collection on intake, apparent digestibility, growth performance and feeding behaviour. As in vitro results, the inclusion of IPBP improved metabolisable energy and significantly increased gas production, and volatile fatty acid (except iso-butyrate and valerate). IPBP in the WAD lambs’ diet increased nutrient intake and apparent digestibility. The average OM intake and apparent digestibility were 548.3 g/day and 83.4%, respectively. The mean daily weight was 68.8 g/day and was slightly higher in IPBP28 group.. The feeding time and number of ruminating chews per bolus increased while chewing time per ruminated bolus decreased when IPBP was introduced into the WAD lambs’ diet. The results showed that recycling IPBP in WAD lambs’ diet up to 28% would contribute to tackling a forage shortage and improve the small ruminant nutrition in West Africa.

The aim of the study is to explore visitor experiences and propose strategic improvements for tourism in Ouidah (Benin), a town renowned for its cultural and historical landmarks, including the Route of the Slaves and the Temple of Pythons. Using data collected from an online survey of 105 participants from Benin and abroad, the research highlights the strong appeal of Ouidah’s heritage attractions while identifying critical areas for enhancement, such as infrastructure, accessibility, and promotional efforts. Findings show the Slaves’ Route (24.8%), Python Temple (24.3%), and Gate of No Return (22%) are the most visited, while sites like the Indigo Color Home (3.1%) remain under-visited, indicating the need for better promotion.Wordof-mouth of 46% of respondents was the main information source, followed by miscellaneous sources (36%), while internet and travel agencies played minor roles. Infrastructure was rated mainly “Good” (58%), though issues included poor road conditions, limited public transport, lack of signage, and inadequate amenities such as restrooms and shaded areas. Safety, environmental management, and authenticity of Vodun heritage interpretation were also concerns. A rate of 70% of respondents would “definitely” recommend Ouidah, showing strong potential for repeat and referral tourism. Recommendations include infrastructure upgrades, accessibility improvements, interactive cultural experiences and diversified promotion. The findings emphasize the need for sustainable tourism practices, community engagement, and targeted marketing strategies to strengthen Ouidah’s position as a cultural destination in West Africa. Actionable recommendations are provided to guide policymakers and tourism managers in elevating visitor satisfaction and preserving the town’s unique legacy. Survey results also revealed seasonal peaks in visitation during February, April, July, and August, aligning with school holidays and favoring domestic tourism. The underrepresentation of some niche attractions points to opportunities for thematic circuits and experiential packages. Respondents stressed the need for better guide training, multilingual materials, and eco-friendly site management. Addressing these gaps can extend visitor stay, diversify the tourism offer, and ensure long-term destination resilience.

The shift toward a circular economy (CE) offers a significant opportunity to enhance environmental sustainability (ES) while promoting inclusive socioeconomic development (IED). This study investigates the role of waste-based eco-enterprises (WBEEs) as catalysts for environmental transformation (ET) and community development (CD) in Kano, Nigeria, one of West Africa’s largest and most industrialised urban centres. Employing the Inclusive Circularity (IC) framework, it examines how local entrepreneurs and informal waste workers engage in circular business models (CBMs) that transform waste into value-added products (VAPs). Using a qualitative methodology that combines case studies of three successful eco-enterprises with documentary analysis, the study identifies key enablers, challenges, and social impacts, emphasising the contributions of youth, women, and informal actors. It also assesses policy and financing barriers that limit sectoral growth. The findings suggest that with targeted interventions, such as regulatory recognition, capacity-building, and enhanced market access, WBEEs can effectively address urban waste challenges, reduce poverty, and drive grassroots innovation. The paper concludes by proposing a framework for scaling inclusive CE models in similar urban contexts.

ABSTRACT Background and Aim Infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, and Lassa fever, pose a significant public health and economic challenge in West Africa. The financial burden includes direct medical costs (hospitalization, medication, diagnostics), nonmedical costs (transportation, food, caregiving), and indirect costs (loss of productivity, long‐term disability, and mortality). Despite numerous economic studies on these diseases, there is limited research integrating actuarial modeling to quantify financial risks and propose mitigation strategies. Methods This review includes 50 studies, indicating that malaria alone contributes to 2% GDP loss in Nigeria, while tuberculosis treatment in Ghana costs $500–$1000 per patient. Actuarial methods provide a structured approach to understanding cost variability, disease risk exposure, and sustainable financial interventions. This systematic review examines the economic burden of the most prevalent infectious diseases in West Africa, synthesizes relevant literature, and explores actuarial modeling as a tool for estimating long‐term economic implications. Thus, by analyzing cost distributions, insurance models, and risk assessment strategies, the study highlights the significance of financial planning in disease management. Data sources used in this systematic review include academic journals, health organizations, and government reports. Conclusion The findings emphasize the necessity of integrating financial risk management approaches, including insurance models and targeted public health investments, to mitigate the economic impact of these diseases and economic losses. The study highlights policy recommendations for governments and health institutions in the region.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a harmonized protocol for the integrated assessment of insecticide resistance, combining phenotypic bioassays and biochemical analyses in field populations of Culex quinquefasciatus. Materials and Methods: A standardized workflow was established, encompassing larval sampling from diverse habitats, insectary rearing under controlled conditions, morphological identification, and susceptibility testing via WHO tube and CDC bottle bioassays using permethrin, deltamethrin, bendiocarb, and malathion. Concurrently, biochemical assays were performed to quantify glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity and total protein concentration in mosquito homogenates. The protocol was validated using field-collected Culex populations from West Africa. Results: Phenotypic assays confirmed strong pyrethroid resistance, with mortality rates of 32–49% for permethrin and 38–57% for deltamethrin, alongside significantly prolonged knockdown times. CDC bottle bioassays yielded consistent results. Biochemically, resistant populations exhibited markedly elevated GST activity (0.72–1.15 μmol/min/mg protein) and higher total protein levels (2.8–4.1 mg/mL) compared to more susceptible groups. A strong inverse correlation was observed between high GST activity and low mortality in bioassays. Conclusion: The integrated methodological framework proved to be reliable, reproducible, and suitable for field-laboratory application. It effectively detects both the presence and a likely metabolic mechanism of insecticide resistance, providing a critical tool for surveillance programs and evidence-based vector control management.

Africa’s inglorious past has often been misinterpreted as evidence of an inevitable underdeveloped present and future. Slavery and colonialism imposed devastating socio-political and economic burdens on the continent. Speculations about pre-colonial Africa as mired in Hobbesian-like conditions were a pretext used to rationalize colonialism. Agitations for independence popularized democracy. Democracy’s true essence lies in recognizing the people as both the sacrosanct means and ultimate end of governance. Of deep concern are the misrepresentations of democracy in many nations of the West, Central, East, North, and South Africa. Fanaticism about ethnicity, religion, and self remains an underlying factor. This paper reveals that the challenge is not one of theory but practice. Contrary to condescending outlooks from non-Africans and Africans, it argues that Africa is neither fated to be underdeveloped nor are African countries destined to be the least among equals. It encompasses a cross-regional analysis of democratic attitudes and practices in order to achieve a more holistic perspective. This analytical and evaluative approach has been crucial. This research finds that Africa possesses intellectual, socio-political, and economic capacity for transformation. Visionary and proactive leadership are reliable midwives for a shift away from inordinate dependence on developed nations toward intentional partnerships that serve each African nation’s interests most effectively. Hence, the study posits that Africa can and should move from surviving to thriving.

The accuracy of Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) to predict liver steatosis in people living with HIV (PLWH) remains poorly studied in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We assessed their diagnostic performances in a multiregional cohort. This cross-sectional analysis included PLWH aged ≥40 years on antiretroviral therapy for ≥6 months at enrolment (2020-2023) in the Sentinel Research Network (SRN) of IeDEA consortium, across 12 HIV clinics in Asia-Pacific, Americas, and central, East, southern and West Africa regions. Liver steatosis was defined based on Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) ≥248 dB/m using vibration-controlled transient elastography. HSI was evaluated in the overall population, while FLI was assessed and compared to HSI in a subset of participants with available data. Model discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and model calibration with calibration plots. A decision curve analysis was performed to compare their clinical utility. Among 2,195 PLWH assessed using CAP, 624 (28.4%) presented with liver steatosis. HSI showed acceptable discriminative ability (AUROC = 0.74) but poor calibration, generally overestimating the risk, except in Asia-Pacific region. FLI performed better than HSI (AUROC = 0.80, p < 0.001), and demonstrated good calibration except in sub-Saharan Africa. Both scores showed high clinical utility, with FLI demonstrating a greater net benefit when compared with HSI. FLI demonstrated higher accuracy and clinical utility within a subgroup of regions. However, the limited performance of FLI and HSI in sub-Saharan populations highlights the need to adapt existing tools or develop new predictive models tailored to regional contexts.

Global warming and climate change remain the foremost environmental challenges worldwide, primarily driven by human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These emissions originate largely from the combustion of fossil fuels in industries, transportation, and power generation. Since the industrial era began, GHG emissions have steadily risen, with industrial processes alone contributing about 78% of the increase between 1970 and 2010, according to the IPCC. Developing countries, especially Africa, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to low adaptive capacity, economic constraints, and weak institutional frameworks. In most Africa countries, challenges such as overpopulation, deforestation, poor waste management, poverty, desertification, and farmers-herders’ conflicts, further compound the problem. The Africa continent, especially the West Africa sub-region, faces various climate-related impacts. In Nigeria for example, while southern part of the country experiences sea level rise, flooding, coastal erosion, the north part endures desert encroachment, heatwaves, reduced rainfall and marked rainfall variability. A stark example was the 2012 flood in Nigeria which displaced over 2.1 million people across 30 states. Amid these challenges, nanotechnology emerges as a promising tool for climate change mitigation and environmental management. It offers potential applications in carbon capture, renewable energy, pollution control, water purification, waste degradation, and energy storage. Innovations include photovoltaic solar cells, hydrogen fuel technologies and advanced insulation materials. Despite its promise, large-scale adoption of nanotechnology in Nigeria faces significant socio-cultural and economic barriers. Public skepticism, lack of awareness, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and high costs hinder widespread implementation. Cultural attitudes towards risk and innovation further influence acceptance. This review explores the potentials for nanotechnology applications in climate change mitigation and socio-acceptability issues in Africa. More so, it highlights the need for comprehensive socio-cultural and economic assessments to understand public perception, ethical implications, and financial viability. Emphasis is placed on aligning nanotechnology with local content development to ensure sustainability and inclusivity. For nanotechnology to effectively contribute to Nigeria’s climate resilience, integrative strategies must be adopted. These should address public engagement, regulatory clarity, ethical considerations, and equitable access, ensuring that technological innovation complements the country’s social and economic realities.

Since the introduction of fluorinated derivatives (fluoroquinolones) in the 1980s, these agents, especially ciprofloxacin, have become standard treatment for various bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Frequently, in developing countries UTIs are treated empirically due to limited capacity of the culture and sensitivity testing in most health facilities. Despite the high usage, there is a scarcity of data regarding ciprofloxacin resistance/susceptibility pattern among uropathogens isolated in Africa. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to ascertain the rate of ciprofloxacin resistance among uropathogens in Africa and identify the most common fluoroquinolone-resistant uropathogens in the region. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to search the PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases, as well as grey literature search, for articles reporting on the antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogens in African countries between January 2010 and December 2023. A total of 2940 articles were screened resulting to 44 relevant studies that were included, from three regions of Africa; East, West and North Africa. Majority of the studies were from East Africa (35/44; 79.5%) whilst North Africa contributed few numbers of studies (3/44; 6.8%). The overall rate of uropathogens resistant to ciprofloxacin in Africa was 34% (95%, CI = 0.27-0.40) which was from isolates obtained from various study populations, including the general population (24/44; 54.5%, pregnant women (8/44; 18.1%), children (7/44; 15.9%) and HIV infected individuals (5/44; 11.4%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin was high in North Africa (56%; 95% CI 0.27-0.85) compared to other African regions. Enterococci pathogens exhibited higher ciprofloxacin resistance, 47% (95% CI 0.21-0.75) compared to other bacteria isolates. This review has shown significant resistance of uropathogens to ciprofloxacin, which is often the primary treatment for urinary tract infections in numerous African countries. Variability in resistance patterns among countries highlights the pressing requirement for coordinated surveillance throughout the region and emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions based on the local data. It is essential to conduct regular epidemiological monitoring of antibiotic resistance and establish effective infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs in the African regions. PROSPERO identification number: CRD42023471255.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a significant cause of blindness worldwide, In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the epidemic of diabetes is rapidly expanding, with hundreds of millions expected by 2045, and DR is approximated to afflict about one-third of individuals with diabetes in the region Nevertheless, the total burden of DR in SSA has not been methodically estimated. We sought to estimate the pooled prevalence of DR in adults with diabetes in SSA and investigate sources of variation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched PubMed, AJOL, Google Scholar, and other sources through mid-2024 for observational studies (cross-sectional or cohort) that reported DR prevalence in adults with diabetes in SSA. Two reviewers screened records, extracted data (study, country, design, sample size, DR cases), and evaluated quality using the JBI checklist. Random-effects meta-analysis (logit transformation) estimated pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI), Heterogeneity was measured by Cochran's Q and I2, and τ2 was reported. Subgroup meta-analysis by region (East, West, Central, and Southern Africa) and meta-regression by country (fixed categorical moderator) were conducted. Funnel plots and Egger's test (p < 0.05) examined publication bias. We pooled 30 studies (N = 16,329 individuals) from 18 SSA countries, Most were hospital-based and cross-sectional; no study was excluded due to high bias. The overall pooled prevalence of DR among individuals with diabetes was 25.5% (95% CI: 20.7%-31.0%) (Logit = -1.072, 95% CI -1.345 to -0.799; p < 0.001). Heterogeneity was very high (I2 ≈ 96%, τ2 = 0.433). Subgroup analysis revealed differences by sub region: East Africa 31.8%, Southern Africa 29.6%, West Africa 27.4%, and Central Africa 13.7%. A meta-regression with country as moderator was not statistically significant (F = 0.94, p = 0.560). Egger's test demonstrated significant asymmetry (p < 0.001), although the weighted regression test was no significant (p = 0.154), which suggests potential publication bias. About a quarter of diabetics in SSA have DR. This is similar to regional estimates (28% in East Africapubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) but slightly lower than the overall Africa average (~36%)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The high heterogeneity suggests that the prevalence of DR is highly variable throughout SSA. Restricted access to eye care, late diagnosis, and inadequate glycemic control in SSA are probably responsible for this, these findings highlight the urgent need for systematic diabetic retinopathy screening and management programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract Nowcasting developing convection is a crucial component of early warning systems in the Tropics. While machine learning has proven effective for radar-based nowcasting, the lack of radar coverage across much of the Tropics creates a significant capability gap. This study presents Simple Initiation and Intensification Nowcasting neural Network (SII-NowNet), a machine learning tool that uses satellite brightness temperatures to produce probabilistic nowcasts of intensifying and initiating convection in the Tropics. SII-NowNet is first demonstrated over Sumatra, Indonesia—a densely populated tropical island with frequent convective activity. For nowcasts of intensifying convection, SII-NowNet outperforms an optical flow model for lead times of 1–6 hours but begins to over-predict events beyond 3 hours, indicating its limit of capability. For nowcasts of initiating convection, SII-NowNet’s limit of capability is reached at 2 hours, beyond which it over-predicts events and is outperformed by climatology. SII-NowNet is trained on 8,661 samples (12 months of data), but sensitivity testing shows that the number of samples can be reduced to three weeks for intensification and three months for initiation, before its outperformed by climatology. This has practical implications for the implementation and further development of SII-NowNet in resource-constrained settings. To exemplify generalisability in other Tropical regions, SII-NowNet is tested over New Guinea, Zambia, Congo and West Africa. Without retraining or region-specific tuning, SII-NowNet achieves skill scores comparable to those over Sumatra. Overall, SII-NowNet’s promising results, combined with ease of applicability across the Tropics, make it a valuable tool for future operational nowcasting.

This article is an attempt to reconstruct the history of the first Nigerien psychiatric service, and diverse aspects of the ordinary functioning of Pavillon E in Niamey (Niger): the organisation of daily life, the position occupied by coopérant doctors, the precise perimeter and development of practices taken from social and community psychiatry, and relationships with the outside world (families, police, legal system, the public health office).This research allows us to rehistoricise and refine the details of a period from 1950 to 1980 which, up until now, was viewed as fixed and anachronistic. We draw on precious sources of empirical data - medical and administrative archives, students' dissertations, oral sources - which invite us to reconsider both colonial/post-colonial (dis)continuities and the temporal caesuras in the literature or in reports from the time.This landscape of mental healthcare appears to be more or less deeply affected by regional and international dynamics, such as the French coopération system, the networks of ethnopsychiatry and transcultural psychiatry, or the network of pharmaceutical groups and their subsidiaries.Studying this service also raises the issues of the chronology and daily life of post-independence psychiatric care in francophone West Africa. Finally, our research interrogates the intellectual partitions between reforming disalienist movements and day-to-day psychiatry, and addresses fundamental epistemological questions on how historiography can restore the balance of knowledge between them.