Search Results (224)

Lagos, Nigeria (population c.18.3–25 million), occupies a position of compound exposure at the intersection of accelerating climate hazards, recurring displacement and urban fragility, and governance constraints that have amplified rather than mitigated disaster risk. Conventional single-hazard planning paradigms have been demonstrably insufficient to address the structural drivers of this vulnerability, which emerge from the interaction among biophysical exposure, colonial spatial legacies, post-independence governance deficits, and inequities within the global climate finance architecture. This article employs a structured, systematic literature review of 74 peer-reviewed, institutional and policy sources, conducted through a transparent three-stage protocol involving keyword-based Boolean searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the African Journals OnLine (AJOL) database, title–abstract screening, full-text eligibility assessment against pre-specified criteria, and thematic synthesis using a combined deductive–inductive coding framework, reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Thematic analysis yields four principal findings: Lagos’s flood and displacement cycles are products of structurally produced vulnerability; compound climate–displacement dynamics are systematically underestimated by single-hazard frameworks; nature-based solutions, community-led upgrading, and participatory governance show measurable effectiveness under enabling governance conditions; and transformative resilience approaches are constrained by political economy and land tenure dynamics. An original Integrated Urban Resilience Framework (IURF) incorporating five pillars is proposed and conceptually benchmarked against twelve comparable Global South frameworks. Post-disaster urban futures in rapidly urbanising megacities require technically rigorous, politically grounded, and ecologically integrated planning frameworks. The IURF offers a replicable conceptual scaffold for cities facing compound climate–displacement risk, subject to future empirical testing. Potential applications of the framework for state planning agencies, multilateral and bilateral funders, community organisations, and comparable West African coastal cities are specified, and the limitations of the review are set out in full. Full article

Livestock production in Africa occurs across highly heterogeneous agroecological and management environments, ranging from extensive pastoral and mixed crop–livestock systems to intensive enterprises. These systems are characterized by seasonal and spatial variation in feed resources, reliance on locally available forage and agricultural by-products, climatic stress, endemic diseases, and the use of indigenous and locally adapted breeds. Such conditions create distinctive microbiome–host interactions that remain poorly represented in global livestock omics research. Although the gut microbiome is central to nutrient utilization, immune function, metabolic homeostasis, and resilience, the functional mechanisms linking microbial communities, diet, host physiology, and productivity in African livestock remain insufficiently characterized. African systems are particularly underrepresented in integrated microbiome–metabolomics datasets, longitudinal studies, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled predictive models, limiting the development of context-specific precision nutrition strategies. This review examines the integration of metabolomics and AI with microbiome and host data to advance precision livestock nutrition within an African and One Health context. It identifies both substantial constraints and strategic opportunities. Limited research infrastructure, high-quality regional datasets, computational capacity, and specialized expertise remain major barriers. Conversely, Africa’s diversity of livestock breeds, feed resources, agroecological conditions, and naturally occurring resilience phenotypes provides an important opportunity to identify microbiome–metabolite signatures associated with feed efficiency, disease resilience, climate adaptation, and product quality. Emerging metabolomics and computational capacity, particularly in South Africa, could support regional research networks and continental data infrastructures. Furthermore, the review proposes an Africa-specific approach that develops locally grounded, scalable, and resource-sensitive precision nutrition strategies, strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, animal health, food safety, climate resilience, sustainable livestock production, and broader One Health objectives. Full article

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs/P450s) are versatile heme-containing enzymes involved in drug metabolism, steroidogenesis, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and biotechnology. Although African researchers have contributed to P450 research for nearly four decades, no comprehensive assessment of African-led research has been conducted. This study presents a historical and bibliometric analysis of African-led P450 research published between 1987 and 2025 using PubMed and Web of Science. Of 1382 retrieved articles, 558 had African corresponding authors, and 149 included African co-authors. Research output increased markedly after 2011, with South Africa contributing 64% of African-led publications. Corresponding authors represented 31 African countries, while collaborations extended to 54 non-African countries, demonstrating strong international integration. Drug metabolism, pharmacology, and toxicology dominated the research landscape, followed by molecular biology, genomics, enzymology, and structural biology. African researchers have made important contributions to pharmacogenomics, steroidogenesis, insecticide resistance, microbial biotechnology, biosensors, and natural-product metabolism. Collectively, African-led publications have received more than 20,500 citations on Google Scholar, highlighting their global scientific impact. Despite this progress, important gaps remain in large-scale pharmacogenomics, structural biology, systems biology, industrial biotechnology, and omics-based studies. Overall, African researchers have made substantial contributions to global cytochrome P450 research and have created opportunities for future scientific growth and collaboration. Full article

Persistent development constraints and material-intensive production have become central features of Southern Africa’s economic landscape. Globalisation has simultaneously intensified the region’s vulnerability to external shocks and heightened pressure to enhance resource efficiency and transition toward sustainable development. This study examines the effect of economic globalisation on resource productivity among members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), a highly integrated, resource-dependent, and economically diverse regional bloc. Using a panel econometric approach covering 1996–2023, the analysis employs a dynamic common correlated effects estimator and panel causality tests to identify long-run elasticities and causal relationships. Results indicate that economic globalisation exerts a significant and negative effect on resource productivity in SACU, with these effects driven primarily by the de jure dimension of the integration process. The findings reveal important complexities within this nexus, including core–periphery dynamics and the internal architectural characteristics of the customs union, with notable feedback loops also identified. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that it is not merely the extent of integration that matters for resource efficiency, but the quality and nature of that integration. In doing so, it offers a nuanced understanding of how regional institutional frameworks interact with globalisation to shape sustainability outcomes. Full article

This study examines the relationship between domestic savings and fixed capital formation in African economies, focusing on the moderating role of institutional quality. Using panel data for 45 African countries over the period 1996–2024, we estimate a fixed-effects model with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors to account for cross-sectional dependence and heteroskedasticity. The findings confirm a positive and significant relationship between domestic savings and investment, consistent with traditional growth theory. More importantly, the results reveal that institutional quality significantly enhances the effectiveness of savings in promoting fixed capital formation, with stronger governance frameworks improving the allocation of resources and limiting diversion into unproductive uses. Disaggregated results further show that the moderating effect varies across institutional dimensions and is more pronounced in middle-income countries, while remaining weak or insignificant in low-income economies. These findings highlight the conditional nature of the savings–investment nexus and underscore the importance of institutional development in translating domestic resources into productive investment in Africa. Full article

This review aims to highlight the rich biodiversity of plants with acaricidal properties in Africa and the potential for harnessing them for the development of eco-friendly acaricides. Terrestrial plant-derived bioactive substances hold huge potential as cost-effective and eco-friendly insecticides that can serve as a suitable alternative to chemical pesticides. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) constitute a serious challenge to animal and human health globally, necessitating the need for effective control measures. However, the use of chemical acaricides, the mainstay of tick control, is no longer sustainable due to the development of multiple acaricide resistance, economic constraints, and environmental and public health concerns, necessitating the exploration of phytochemical acaricides as a viable option. In Africa, the rich plant biodiversity remains largely underexplored and underutilized for TTBDs control. Our bibliographical review identified 144 plant species from 48 families across 27 African countries that have been assessed in various in vitro assays. These studies report that these plant species possess phytochemicals with acaricidal properties, causing over 50% mortality or repellency on various tick developmental stages. Plant species belonging to the Asteraceae (n = 23), Lamiaceae (n = 17) and Fabaceae (n = 11) from several African countries were reported to possess effective anti-tick properties. Bioactive substances and essential oils, such as the tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, camphor, camphene, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), alpha-pinene and more were the most frequently isolated compounds, attesting to the rich biodiversity of plants possessing phytochemicals with strong prospects for use in tick control. Despite these encouraging findings, none so far has been translated or formulated into an anti-tick product for commercial use. Therefore, we advocate for robust continental and regional collaborations to coordinate the bioprospecting of anti-tick ethnobotanicals, ultimately leading to the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly natural products for tick control. Full article

Enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminants are a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represent an increasing concern in African livestock systems. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of tannin-rich plants as a dietary strategy for mitigating enteric CH₄ emissions in African ruminant production systems. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included peer-reviewed original studies published between 2015 and 2025 that investigated tannin-rich plant interventions in cattle, sheep, or goats within African production systems. Eligible studies comprised both in vivo feeding trials and in vitro rumen fermentation experiments. Studies were included if they reported enteric CH₄ or greenhouse gas-related outcomes, while reviews, modeling studies, non-ruminant studies, and studies without CH₄-related outcomes were excluded. A total of eight eligible studies were identified, all conducted in South Africa despite the Africa-wide scope of the review. Overall, tannin-rich plant interventions showed potential to reduce CH₄ emissions, although the magnitude and consistency of responses varied depending on tannin type, source, inclusion level, form of administration, and dietary context. Purified and encapsulated tannin extracts generally produced more consistent CH₄ reductions than crude or whole-plant sources. Responses also differed between controlled total mixed ration systems and forage-based feeding systems. However, the small number of studies and their strong geographic concentration limit broader generalization across the continent. In conclusion, tannin-rich plants show promise as a natural CH₄ mitigation strategy in ruminants, but more regionally distributed and methodologically robust studies are needed across Africa to strengthen the evidence base. Full article

African soils face increasing levels of metal pollution due to industrialization, artisanal mining activities, improper waste management, and enhanced agricultural productivity. However, unlike many organic pollutants, heavy metals do not degrade naturally and therefore persist in environmental systems for prolonged periods. Heavy metals accumulate over many decades in the soil and bioaccumulate through the food chain causing severe health complications such as cancer, kidney problems, and neurological impairment. This paper reviews the current literature on the origin, prevalence, and behavior of the main pollutants Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Hg, and Cu. The major phytoremediation methods including phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization are highlighted alongside in planta screening methods for hyperaccumulating plants including Berkheya coddii (Ni) and Haumaniastrum robertii (Co). The paper evaluates various enhancement techniques such as the use of chelators, Rhizobium inoculations, and genetic modifications. The significance of these approaches in tropical and subtropical climates is discussed. The paper suggests a holistic framework involving empirical kinetic modeling, geospatial machine learning (random forest, kriging), and molecular omics in prediction modeling. Major hurdles in such predictions include lack of field-based verification of the models, biotechnology safety of genetically modified (GM) organisms, and inadequate regulations. Future perspectives emphasize community-driven phytomining, biomass recycling, and resilient phytoremediation solutions. Full article

Cold stress is a major environmental constraint limiting the growth, physiological performance, and productivity of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under open-field conditions. This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA), silicon (Si), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in alleviating cold-induced damage and enhancing stress tolerance. Field experiments were conducted under naturally occurring cold stress using foliar applications of SA (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), Si (0, 1, 5, and 10 mM), and MeJA (0, 10, and 50 µM) in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Moderate concentrations of all three regulators significantly (p < 0.05) improved plant growth and physiological stability relative to untreated controls. Salicylic acid at 0.5 mM produced the most consistent protective response, increasing biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, and relative water content while reducing membrane damage, as indicated by a 42.3% decrease in leaf electrolyte leakage at 2 °C. Silicon at 10 mM enhanced membrane integrity, plant water status, and vegetative growth under low-temperature conditions, while methyl jasmonate at 10 µM mitigated cold-induced membrane damage and improved physiological tolerance, whereas higher concentrations (50 µM) were less effective. At their optimal doses, SA, Si, and MeJA increased plant dry mass by 39.7%, 30.1%, and 38.5%, respectively. Correlation analysis confirmed these results, revealing strong positive relationships among growth, chlorophyll, and relative water content. Conversely, electrolyte leakage was negatively correlated with biomass and water status, identifying membrane stability as a key determinant of cold tolerance. Overall, 0.5 mM SA, 5–10 mM Si, and 10 μM MeJA improved growth and key physiological responses in African marigold under cold stress under field conditions. Future studies should integrate mechanistic and economic analyses to refine growth-regulator-based cold-stress management strategies. Full article

In genetics and evolutionary biology, selection signatures refer to distinct genomic patterns that reflect the action of natural and artificial selection on populations over time. Detecting such signatures provides critical insights into adaptive evolution and breed differentiation, especially in livestock populations subjected to diverse production environments and breeding objectives. In this study, a total of 96 samples were collected from four different cattle breeds, namely, South African indigenous Nguni (n = 28), Bonsmara (n = 21), Angus (n = 22), and Simmental (n = 25). The samples were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine SNP 150K BeadChip and subjected to quality control. Selection signatures were identified using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) method and the fixation index (Fst) method to assess the genetic differences between breeds. The complementary application of within-population and cross-population approaches enabled the detection of both recent and divergent selective pressures. A total of twelve regions were found to be under selection, with Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 12 being common between Nguni and Bonsmara. Gene annotation analyses identified several genes, including FAM110B, CDK8, and FLT1 in Bonsmara cattle, whereas Nguni cattle indicated potential genes such as CRB1, PLA2G4A, and VASH2, with CDK8 common between Bonsmara and Nguni on BTA 12. Cross-population analyses further identified PLCXD3, FAM149B1, and GRIK2 as candidate genes differentiating Bonsmara from Nguni cattle, and TSPAN9 distinguishing Simmental from Angus cattle. These results indicated breed-specific adaptive divergence. The study revealed genomic regions that are under selection in South African Nguni, Bonsmara, and Simmental cattle, with less information for Angus cattle breeds. Several candidate genes were found to be associated with reproductive traits (such as sperm count and inseminations per conception), disease resistance (such as bovine respiratory disease), and calving ease. This study identifies breed-specific and shared genomic regions under selection across diverse cattle breeds, providing novel insights into the genetic basis of adaptation and production-related traits. These findings explain the potential application of selection signature analyses in genomic-assisted breeding programmes aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and sustainability of cattle populations. Full article

Marine macroalgae are a rich source of bioactive natural products, although the application of many lipophilic compounds is limited by poor aqueous solubility and instability. This study investigated metabolites isolated from the South African brown seaweed Sargassum incisifolium and evaluated a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) system to improve their physicochemical properties and enable bioactivity studies. Five metabolites, including one previously unreported derivative and four known metabolites (including fucoxanthin), were isolated and characterized using standard chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. SLNs composed of stearic acid and Poloxamer 188 were prepared via hot homogenization and characterized using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and NMR, which confirmed the efficient encapsulation of the lipophilic compounds. Antimicrobial activity against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens was evaluated using a resazurin-based microdilution assay, with results expressed as percentage growth relative to untreated controls. The pure compounds exhibited moderate, concentration-dependent activity, while the SLN formulations improved dispersibility, and in several cases, reduced % growth or produced more consistent responses, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida auris. Although activity remained lower than that of conventional antimicrobials, these findings demonstrate that SLN-based delivery enables functional evaluation of hydrophobic marine metabolites and supports further development of Sargassum-derived natural products. Full article

This paper investigates the role of financial institution development in promoting renewable energy generation in African economies. The paper is motivated by the increasing global emphasis on clean energy transition and the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to affordable and clean energy and climate action. It focuses on identifying the mechanisms through which financial development influences renewable energy outcomes. Grounded in the Schumpeterian theory of finance, the paper argues that financial institutions facilitate innovation and structural transformation by allocating resources toward productive investments, including renewable energy projects. The analysis examines whether credit to the private sector serves as a mediating channel in this relationship. It also evaluates the moderating roles of institutional quality and natural resource rents. Using a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) model within a dynamic fixed-effects error correction framework, the findings reveal a nonlinear relationship. Financial institution development initially promotes renewable energy generation, but its positive effect weakens beyond a threshold of resource dependence. Institutional quality strengthens the effectiveness of financial development, while credit to the private sector fully transmits its impact on renewable energy generation. The results highlight the importance of strengthening financial systems, improving governance, and enhancing private sector credit allocation to support sustainable energy development in Africa. Full article

South African irrigation schemes face critical challenges of water scarcity, infrastructure deterioration, and limited monitoring capacity, threatening agricultural productivity and food security. This scoping review systematically analyses 59 peer-reviewed publications (2000–2025) on sensor-based and acoustic irrigation monitoring technologies in South Africa, using transformer-based natural language processing (Sentence-BERT embeddings), unsupervised Machine Learning (UMAP dimensionality reduction, HDBSCAN clustering), and geospatial mapping applied to literature retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus. Results show that water quality monitoring (42.4% of studies) and remote sensing (25.4%) dominate the national research landscape, while soil moisture sensing and modelling remain comparatively limited. Notably, no peer-reviewed studies applying acoustic monitoring technologies to irrigation were identified, representing a critical gap despite proven international applications for leak detection (95–98% accuracy), widespread infrastructure aging (over 50% of schemes exceeding 30 years), and reported water losses of 30–60% in poorly managed systems. Reported experimental water savings range from 15% to 30%, yet applications remain largely confined to pilot-scale implementations concentrated within a limited number of Water Management Areas. Persistent adoption barriers include infrastructure unreliability, financial inaccessibility, limited digital literacy, and weak institutional coordination. The review recommends: (i) expanding research coverage across underrepresented regions and Water Management Areas; (ii) strengthening extension support and technical training to enable broader adoption; and (iii) integrating low-cost sensor networks with predictive, data-driven irrigation advisory systems. These priorities aim to support scalable, context-sensitive irrigation modernisation under increasing water scarcity pressures. Full article

Feed availability and quality remain major constraints to ruminant productivity in West Africa, where livestock systems rely heavily on locally available resources such as natural forages, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products. However, reliable ration formulation requires accurate information on feed chemical composition, while existing data are fragmented and highly variable. This study conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2025 to synthesize available data on the chemical composition of ruminant feeds in West Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, 44 studies reporting quantitative feed composition data were retained. Feed resources were classified into agro-industrial by-products, agricultural by-products and forages, and descriptive statistics were calculated for key nutritional parameters. The results revealed substantial variability in nutrient composition across feed types and even within the same feed resource. Cottonseed cake emerged as a major protein-rich supplement, legume haulms showed higher nutritional value than cereal residues, and several browse species such as Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala demonstrated high protein potential. These findings highlight that fixed feed composition values are poorly suited to heterogeneous tropical feeding systems. The reference ranges established in this review provide a more reliable basis for feed evaluation and ration formulation and can support the development of locally adapted feeding strategies and decision-support tools for West African livestock systems. Full article

Legume crops, such as the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), are significant in many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, including Eswatini, due to their numerous health benefits, including high protein, fiber, vitamins, and mineral content. Common beans are a staple food in many parts of the world and play a crucial role in nitrogen fixation, thereby improving soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted at Malkerns research station, Eswatini, using 27 common bean genotypes to assess their ability for N-fixation and water relations using the ¹⁵N and ¹³C natural abundance techniques. The data revealed significant differences among the common bean genotypes. Genotypes Cim-Rm-36 and Mwctz20a-Rm19 recorded an increase in plant growth by (6% and 5.74%), N content (5.69% and 5.97%) and greater C content (6.1% and 5.67%) while genotype Mwctz20a-Rm19 also showed an increase in N-fixation (155.73 kg.ha⁻¹). Genotype Mwctz20a-Rm-4 had the highest grain yield (1747.39 kg.ha⁻¹), while genotype Cim-Rm-14-Als61 had the highest N concentration (3.50%), indicating efficient N uptake. The genotypes with the lowest δ¹³C values (−27.38‰ to −28.06‰) suggested similar water use efficiency among the genotypes. The findings of this study revealed that common beans can make a significant contribution to N fertility under drought conditions. Genotypes Cim-Rm-36, Mwctz20a-Rm19, and Mwctz20a-Rm-4 showed desirable characteristics and can be good candidates for possible inclusion in breeding programs. These results have implications for improving common bean production in drought-prone areas and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Full article