Foresight Africa Podcast

Aug 29 2023 53

Foresight Africa Podcast artwork

The Foresight Africa podcast celebrates the dynamism and optimism across Africa and explores strategies for broadening the benefits of growth to all people in the region. Host Aloysius Uche Ordu, director of the Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution, interviews policy experts and leaders from the public sector, private sector, and civil society on key trends affecting people and nations on the continent.

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Conserving biodiversity from Angola’s water tower to Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Aug 29 2023 42 mins

Kerllen Costa, Angola country director of National Geographic’s Okavango Wilderness Project, tells the story of the flora and fauna of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, fed by rivers that cross international boundaries and originate in the “water tower” highlands of Angola. Costa explains how important a relationship with local people in the region is key to conservation and susta

Is gold mining part of the solution to climate change?

Aug 22 2023 40 mins

John Mulligan, climate change lead at the World Gold Council, talks with host Aloysius Ordu about the Council’s role in global gold markets, changes in those markets, and how gold mining can be part of the solution to climate change. Mulligan also looks ahead to the next global climate conference, COP28 in Dubai. Show notes and transcript Foresight Africa podcast is part of the B

Africa’s food security challenge

Aug 01 2023 39 mins

Danielle Resnick, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow at Brookings, discusses her research on food security challenges in Africa. She notes the compounding global and regional crises that have worsened the food security situation, but also describes the creative ways that some African governments are addressing the problem. “Food system transformation, Resnick says, “means that we nee

How unequal health outcomes challenge economic growth in Africa

Jul 18 2023 46 mins

Belinda Archibong, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow at Brookings and professor at Barnard College, talks with host Aloysius Ordu about mental health and other health challenges facing youth in Africa. She explores the nexus between health and economic issues like productivity and growth, and shares her research on using technology to help address these concerns. Show notes and transcri

Liberia’s agriculture minister on her vision for farming and food in Liberia

Jul 04 2023 45 mins

Jeanine Cooper, minister of agriculture for the Republic of Liberia, shares her transformative vision for agriculture in her country, one that is green, regenerative, appealing to youth, and promotes local consumption. A rice farmer herself, Minister Cooper also talks about the importance of that crop, and how Liberian agriculture is responding to the challenges of climate change.

A Nigerian entrepreneur shares her story of innovation and transformative leadership

Jun 20 2023 40 mins

Ada Osakwe, a Nigerian innovator and business leader, talks about her role as an innovative entrepreneur and transformative investor. Osakwe founded the Nuli Juice Company and Agrolay Ventures, and was named Forbes Woman Africa businesswoman of the year in 2021. Addressing the gender gap in boardrooms, Osakwe says that “women leaders must support other women.” Show notes and tr

The world must deliver more climate finance for Africa

Jun 06 2023 46 mins

Bogolo Kenewendo, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions’ special advisor, Africa director, and former minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Botswana, discusses the African perspective on climate action, biodiversity, climate finance, and gender-responsive solutions. She emphasizes the need for adaptation and resilience in the agricultural sector to secure livelihood

How Sierra Leone is getting more girls into STEM

May 23 2023 37 mins

David Moinina Sengeh, minister of basic and senior secondary education and chief innovation officer in Sierra Leone, urges other African policymakers to invest in education, and offers insight on how AI can be leveraged for educational improvement. Minister Sengeh also talks about his new book, Radical Inclusion, and his music as a way to connect with young people. The music track

Learning from the people of Nairobi’s Mukuru slum

May 23 2023 48 mins

Angela Pashayan, professor and political scientist at American University, shares her experiences working with the Mukuru slum community in Kenya and the socioeconomic challenges the residents face. Dr. Pashayan highlights the importance of urban agriculture within the community, discusses the effects of climate change in urban slums, and notes policies to address the gender gap in

Risks and opportunities of STEM education in Africa

Apr 25 2023 35 mins

In this episode of Foresight Africa podcast, Ruth Kagia, senior fellow at Results for Development and former country director for Southern Africa at the World Bank, discusses the risks and opportunities of STEM education in Africa. She explains ways that young girls and women can enter STEM-related fields and more broadly how to address “learning poverty” on the continent. Show