Editor's note

Tobacco is a leading cause of death and illness across the world, and kills half of its users. In Africa, Nigeria was one of the first countries to introduce tobacco regulation. But implementation has stalled. Catherine O. Elbe, Stanton Glantz and Stella A. Bialous explain why the country’s tobacco control efforts are not showing results.

Entrepreneurship provides many women in Africa with an opportunity to earn an income and establish themselves in business. But they tend to start from a lower base than their male counterparts, with less start-up and investment capital, and little or no collateral security. Albert N. Kimbu and Michael Z Ngoasong draw on research from Cameroon to provide possible solutions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is still waiting for the outcome of its much anticipated presidential election, more than a week after polls closed. Speculation is rife that the result will see the end of the Kabila family’s stranglehold on power since 1997. Reuben Loffman writes that whoever takes over faces the enormous task of leading a country marred by unrest, poverty and underdevelopment.

The first edition of Pasha, The Conversation Africa’s first podcast, travels to Nairobi where the city is battling air pollution and traffic congestion. Haneen Khreis explores how car-free days may be a solution.

Ina Skosana

Health + Medicine Editor

Top Stories
Because of its size, Nigeria has the potential to boost the global anti-tobacco movement. Shutterstock

Nigeria isn’t doing enough to reduce tobacco use. Here’s why

Catherine O. Egbe, PhD, South African Medical Research Council; Stanton Glantz, University of California, San Francisco; Stella A. Bialous, University of California, San Francisco

The National Tobacco Control Act gives the tobacco industry inside access to the decision making process.
Women entrepreneurs need to be aware of existing government initiatives and networking opportunities. Adam Jan Figel/Shutterstock/Editorial Use Only

Why Africa’s women entrepreneurs struggle to grow – and how to help

Albert N. Kimbu, University of Surrey; Michael Z Ngoasong, The Open University

Women entrepreneurs in Africa struggle to obtain credit, and to access entrepreneurship education.
Supporters of the DRC’s opposition candidate, Felix Tshisekedi. EPA-EFE/Stefan Kleinnowitz

The DRC’s election was flawed. But it still offers signs of hope

Reuben Loffman, Queen Mary University of London

The DRC could be the exception after a year in which opposition parties fared badly across East and Central Africa.

Health + Medicine

There are many complex reasons for South Africa’s organ donor shortage

Harriet Etheredge, University of the Witwatersrand

Religious and cultural beliefs play a role in the country's organ donor shortages. But these factors alone grossly oversimplifies the issue.

Why improving access to surgery in childbirth makes economic sense

Isabella Epiu, Makerere University

If women don't have access to quality emergency surgery, they can develop dibilitating complications such as fistula.

Arts + Culture

  • Language and identity: lessons from a unique Afrikaans community in Patagonia

    Ryan Szpiech, University of Michigan; Andries W. Coetzee, University of Michigan; Lorenzo García-Amaya, University of Michigan; Nicholas Henriksen, University of Michigan; Paulina L. Alberto, University of Michigan; Victoria Langland, University of Michigan

    A small community of Afrikaners has been living in Argentina since the early 1900s. Linguistic research has found they're like a time capsule, reflecting pronunciation and syntax from an earlier era.

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