Limited access to formal banks as well as nomadic lifestyles have contributed to a huge uptake in mobile money in Somalia. It’s more widely used than cash. But there are dangers, particularly given that operators aren’t tightly regulated. In an interview with Victor Owour, mobile money expert Tim Kelly outlines why mobile money has become ubiquitous in the country, and why a lack of regulation makes the system fragile and fragmented.
East Africa is home to most of the remaining 100,000 giraffes living in the wild in Africa. Their numbers are dwindling due to habitat loss and poaching. But they face another threat – a rare skin disease that potentially makes them more vulnerable. Arthur Muneza and Robert Montgomery explain.
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About nine out of ten Somalis above the age of 16 own a phone.
Omar Abdisalan/Amisom/Flickr
Victor Odundo Owuor, University of Colorado
Mobile money transfers have become the norm in Somalia. Transactions total as much as $2.7bn a month.
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A herd of Masai giraffe towering over zebras in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania.
Provided by author
Arthur Muneza, Michigan State University; Robert Montgomery, Michigan State University
The number of giraffes in Africa has dropped by 40% over the past 30 years, but the reasons for this remain largely unknown.
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Business + Economy
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Alan Hirsch, University of Cape Town
South Africa's jobs summit failed to acknowledge fundamental issues in the approach to development and job creation.
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Jannie Rossouw, University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa's new finance minister comes with considerable skills and political finesse needed to steer the country out of its economic quagmire.
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Health + Medicine
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Allison Webel, Case Western Reserve University; Andrew Chang, Stanford University
Noncommunicable diseases are a growing problem in Africa. Among women, heart disease is a particular concern. Medication to treat it can interfere with pregnancy, making women undesirable partners.
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From our international editions
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Arthur Gomes Moreira, University of Sussex
As well as having dangerous social and political consequences, a Bolsonaro presidency would mark a massive shift for Brazil's economy, too.
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Louis Monroy-Santander, Durham University
Colombia's new president Ivan Duque has some big issues in his inbox.
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Shelley Thompson, Bournemouth University
Female role models can inspire the next generation through many different media.
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