The Conversation Africa

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5 days ago

Africa’s electric motorbike future can be built locally and powered by solar – our 6,000km ride shows what’s possible Research suggests a shift to electric mobility is technically and economically feasible.

Africa’s electric motorbike future is closer than it seems—a 6,000km solar-powered journey shows how local innovation and clean energy could transform transport across the continent.

theconversation.com/africas-elec...

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The Conversation Africa

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1 week ago

Handpumps bring water to rural African communities, but many are broken – study models how best to maintain them Over 100,000 water handpumps in rural sub-Saharan Africa are broken, leaving millions without safe water. Regular maintenance is cheaper than repairs.

Handpumps bring water to rural Africa—but keeping them working is the real challenge.

theconversation.com/handpumps-br...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

Handpumps bring water to rural African communities, but many are broken – study models how best to maintain them Over 100,000 water handpumps in rural sub-Saharan Africa are broken, leaving millions without safe water. Regular maintenance is cheaper than repairs.

Handpumps bring water to rural Africa—but keeping them working is the real challenge.

theconversation.com/handpumps-br...

#EnvironmentAndEnergy

The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

South Africa’s power utility Eskom wants to cut electricity to municipalities that haven’t paid: households may pay the price Eskom’s plans to cut power to 14 indebted municipalities expose a deepening crisis in South Africa’s state-owned electricity provider.

Eskom’s debt crackdown could hit paying residents hardest, exposing deeper municipal failures.

theconversation.com/south-africa...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

South Africa’s power utility Eskom wants to cut electricity to municipalities that haven’t paid: households may pay the price Eskom’s plans to cut power to 14 indebted municipalities expose a deepening crisis in South Africa’s state-owned electricity provider.

Eskom’s debt crackdown could hit paying residents hardest, exposing deeper municipal failures.

theconversation.com/south-africa...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

Striped mice survive harsh drought by slowing down and not getting stressed What if harsh environments don’t stress animals at all? Research on South Africa’s striped mice shows survival can depend on conserving energy, not fighting back.

African striped mice survive drought by slowing down and conserving energy – showing that staying calm can be key to enduring extreme conditions.

theconversation.com/striped-mice...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

Why Africa needs a green bank to fund climate action and build its own renewable technology Africa holds key green energy minerals but exports them raw. If the continent had its own Green Bank, it could finance local manufacturing and green industry.

Africa faces a huge climate finance gap and relies heavily on costly external funding – a green bank could help mobilise local capital and build its own renewable industries.

theconversation.com/why-africa-n...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

Why Africa needs a green bank to fund climate action and build its own renewable technology Africa holds key green energy minerals but exports them raw. If the continent had its own Green Bank, it could finance local manufacturing and green industry.

Africa faces a huge climate finance gap and relies heavily on costly external funding – a green bank could help mobilise local capital and build its own renewable industries.

theconversation.com/why-africa-n...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 week ago

African cities are diverse and thriving, but face many challenges. How to make them healthier Every city is different but they can learn from each other.

Africa’s fast-growing cities are vibrant and diverse – but without better planning, pollution, infrastructure gaps and inequality will continue to harm health.

theconversation.com/african-citi...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 weeks ago

A water solution for drought-prone South Africa: we designed systems to replenish aquifers simply and cheaply in five towns South Africa’s driest regions rely on groundwater, which dries up as the climate warms. Replenishing aquifers with excess rainfall may be a solution.

Simple, low-cost systems could help drought-hit South African towns store water underground and boost supply.

theconversation.com/a-water-solu...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 weeks ago

Climate change could pose a major risk to cassava in Africa: study sets out what can be done now Cassava could thrive across more of Africa as the climate warms, but a deadly disease carried by whiteflies may spread faster, threatening the nutritious crop.

Climate change could threaten cassava production across Africa – but early action can help protect this staple crop.

theconversation.com/climate-chan...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 weeks ago

South Africa will run out of industrial gas by 2028 and 70,000 jobs could be lost – why government fixes are lacking Gas from Mozambique is running out, leaving South African industry facing a supply crisis. Imported propane gas could offer a workable solution.

South Africa is heading for an industrial “gas cliff” by 2028 that could cost 70,000 jobs – yet the country still lacks a clear, workable plan to replace dwindling supply.

theconversation.com/south-africa...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 weeks ago

Sea levels around Africa are rising faster than the global average: what’s behind this alarming trend An El Niño event combined with other weather phenomena led to record level sea rise in African oceans during 2023 and 2024.

Satellites reveal our oceans aren’t flat—rising sea levels from climate change mean more flooding and erosion for coastal communities. 🌊

theconversation.com/sea-levels-a...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

3 weeks ago

Electric vehicles could soon be cheaper than petrol cars in Africa – if financing barriers fall Africa doesn’t need a technological breakthrough to scale EV adoption. It needs cheaper capital and supportive policy environments.

Electric vehicles could soon outpace petrol cars in Africa, thanks to cheaper batteries and solar power – but financing remains a hurdle. ⚡

theconversation.com/electric-veh...

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The Conversation Africa

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3 weeks ago

Africa needs 50 million new homes, but building is bad for the environment: how to finance ‘green’ solutions With cement production driving 8% of greenhouse gas emissions, green housing is needed urgently.

Africa’s housing boom faces an environmental dilemma. Green homes, built with recycled materials, could offer a sustainable solution for the future. 🌱

theconversation.com/africa-needs...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

4 weeks ago

South Africa’s power utility Eskom tried to block a gold mine from going solar – but lost in court South Africa’s largest gold producer went to court to win the right to use its own solar power.

South Africa’s push for renewables faces hurdles as coal remains dominant and Eskom’s monopoly is tough to break. ⚡️🌱

theconversation.com/south-africa...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Solar power in rural Zimbabwe hasn’t reduced women’s unpaid work: can policy do better? Some women in Zimbabwe are being left behind in the move to green energy because they can’t afford solar systems that can power electric stoves.

Zimbabwe’s green energy policy promises equality, but real change depends on whether women and men truly share its benefits. 🌱

theconversation.com/solar-power-...

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The Conversation Africa

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1 month ago

Solar power is taking off in Malawi: but poor households need financial help to make it work for them Even small solar devices that can power phone chargers and lights have made a difference in rural Malawi. Now, bigger and better solar systems are needed.

Even small solar devices that can power phone chargers and lights have made a difference in rural Malawi. Now, bigger and better solar systems are needed.

theconversation.com/solar-power-...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Leopards adapted to South Africa’s Cape so successfully that they’re genetically unique – study For the first time, whole-genome analysis shows that the small Cape leopards are a genetically distinct population.

Why do animals of the same species look so different across regions? Scientists are still searching for clear answers. 🐦

theconversation.com/leopards-ada...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Can African penguins be brought back from the brink? Better designed no-fishing zones could help A new court order seeks to protect African penguins, which are critically endangered.

South Africa shelters most of the world’s African penguins, yet their numbers are plummeting—can conservation efforts turn the tide? 🐧

theconversation.com/can-african-...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Killer beetles in the baobabs: researcher warns of risk to African trees A beetle that lays eggs inside the bark of trees has killed six baobab trees in Oman for the first time. Urgent measures are needed to stop it spreading to Africa.

Baobabs in Oman, introduced centuries ago, are now under threat—not from drought or age, but a deadly beetle infestation. 🌳

theconversation.com/killer-beetl...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Invasive mesquite plants do more than deplete water reserves – new research in South Africa shows they damage soil too Mesquite tells a story about unintended consequences; but it also shows how careful, collaborative responses can lead to solutions for people and the environment.

Mesquite was brought to South Africa to help, but now it’s quietly reshaping landscapes and draining precious water resources. 🌱

theconversation.com/invasive-mes...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Streetlights in Lagos can boost safety and grow the economy. Why not everyone benefits Providing street lighting will need a new approach to infrastructure development.

Nigeria’s cities are growing rapidly, with Lagos set to become the world’s largest by 2100—can infrastructure keep up? 🏙️

theconversation.com/streetlights...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

South Africa is moving away from coal – how mines and power stations could be used for green energy and farming The South African government and coal industry need to move fast to set up a plan to turn old coal mines and power stations into job-creating hubs after they close.

South Africa’s coal infrastructure could become new hubs for agriculture and renewable energy, researchers say. A greener future is possible. 🌱

theconversation.com/south-africa...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Does South Africa have a future without power cuts? Ramaphosa intervenes, but the drama isn’t over One thing is certain: there will be ongoing contestation over the path and pace of South Africa’s electricity reforms.

South Africa’s electricity grid is set for change. Ramaphosa moves transmission assets out of Eskom—will this finally spark progress? ⚡

theconversation.com/does-south-a...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Water in the dams, but South Africa’s taps are dry: essential reads on a history of bad management The answers to what needs to be done to solve the chronic water crisis in South Africa’s towns and cities have been known for some time.

The answers to what needs to be done to solve the chronic water crisis in South Africa’s towns and cities have been known for some time.

theconversation.com/water-in-the...

#EnvironmentAndEnergy

The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Cape Town’s wildflowers are a world treasure: six insights from a new checklist The latest checklist of Table Mountain flora shows that Cape Town is still a global hotspot for threatened flowering plants.

Cape Town’s Table Mountain boasts more plant species than some entire countries—new tech helps scientists keep track. 🌱

theconversation.com/cape-towns-w...

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#Biodiversity

The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

1 month ago

Connecting home solar and electric vehicle batteries to the grid could boost South Africa’s clean energy and strengthen the electricity system South African homes need two-way meters so that they can feed extra solar power from home systems and electric vehicles back to the grid.

South African homes need two-way meters so that they can feed extra solar power from home systems and electric vehicles back to the grid.

theconversation.com/connecting-h...

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 months ago

Sierra Leoneans who live off the sea don’t trust farmed fish – but wild fish are in decline Wild fish sustain life in Sierra Leone’s fishing towns, but declining stocks mean fish farming is needed. However, fishing communities distrust farmed fish.

🐟 Sierra Leone turns to land-based fish farming as wild stocks decline, aiming to secure food and nutrition for communities.

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The Conversation Africa

@africa.theconversation.com

2 months ago

Grazing and digging put some herbivores at greater risk from toxic elements in soil – new research Studying how much soil herbivores eat shows which species are vulnerable to toxic element exposure from natural or human sources – a useful guide for conservation.

Researchers in South Africa’s Kalahari find herbivores like giraffes and rhinos ingest soil—and toxic elements—with their food. 🦒

theconversation.com/grazing-and-...

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