Editor's note

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.

Moina Spooner

Commissioning Editor: East Africa

Top Stories

About nine out of ten Somalis above the age of 16 own a phone. Omar Abdisalan/Amisom/Flickr

Mobile money transfers have taken off in Somalia. But there are risks

Victor Odundo Owuor, University of Colorado

Mobile money transfers have become the norm in Somalia. Transactions total as much as $2.7bn a month.

A herd of Masai giraffe towering over zebras in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Provided by author

Understanding a skin disease that’s peculiar to giraffes

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.

Business + Economy

South Africa won’t create jobs unless it settles on a new social compact

Alan Hirsch, University of Cape Town

South Africa's jobs summit failed to acknowledge fundamental issues in the approach to development and job creation.

South Africa’s economy is in a mess. New finance minister must hit the road running

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.

Health + Medicine

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