As of 2025, electricity access rates in key African countries show notable progress but also reveal ongoing challenges. Ghana leads with a national electricity access rate of 89.5%, followed closely by South Africa at 87.7%. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, trails with a significantly lower access rate of 61.2%. Ghana’s relatively high electricity access reflects substantial efforts in expanding its power generation and distribution capacities. The country’s energy mix is dominated by hydropower, thermal energy, and gas, with growing investments in renewables such as solar. Ghana has achieved about 74% electrification in rural areas and 94% in urban zones, with…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Florida scientists are deploying a surprising new weapon in the fight against invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades — robot bunnies. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed solar-powered mechanical rabbits designed to mimic the heat, movement, and scent of real marsh rabbits, one of the pythons’ favorite meals. The innovative project, led by wildlife ecologist Robert McCleery, aims to lure the snakes out of hiding so they can be tracked and removed. Each robotic decoy is equipped with motors, heaters, motion sensors, and cameras. When a python approaches, the sensors alert researchers, enabling them to observe the predator’s…
In the 2025 Passport Index, passport strength for African nations reveals significant disparities in visa-free travel access. South Africa leads with visa-free access to 63 countries, followed by Ghana with access to 43 countries, and Nigeria with access to 27 countries. This ranking underscores the varying degrees of international mobility afforded to citizens of these nations. South Africa’s passport strength reflects its broader global diplomatic relations and agreements enabling freer travel compared to its regional counterparts. Ghana offers moderate global mobility, while Nigeria’s passport remains among the least powerful on the continent in terms of visa-free access. For context, global…
A growing body of dental research is prompting early risers to reconsider their morning brushing routines. A recent article in Good Housekeeping, written by Kaitlyn Phoenix, shares expert advice from dentists on whether to brush the teeth should happen before or after breakfast. Why brushing before breakfast wins Dental professionals overwhelmingly agree that if you only brush once in the morning, it should be done before you eat. Dr. Steven J. Katz, DDS, MS, president of the American Association of Endodontists, explains that brushing first thing in the morning removes plaque and bacteria that build up overnight when saliva flow…
The FDA has approved VIZZ (aceclidine ophthalmic solution) 1.44% as the first and only eye drop treatment specifically for presbyopia in adults. Presbyopia, which causes blurry near vision due to aging, affects about 128 million adults in the US alone. VIZZ is a once-daily prescription eye drop that works by contracting the iris sphincter muscle to create a pinhole effect. This mechanism improves near vision for up to 10 hours without causing distance vision blurring or a myopic shift. It starts working within 30 minutes of application. Clinical trials involving hundreds of participants showed significant improvement in near vision and…
Two African nations — Egypt and South Africa — have secured spots among the world’s 30 most influential countries, according to the latest rankings by US News & World Report. The annual list, which assesses nations based on their global impact, cultural influence, political leadership, economic strength, and international alliances, placed Egypt at 19th and South Africa at 28th. The United States topped the chart as the most influential country, followed by China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France in the top five. Other notable entries include Russia (6th), Japan (7th), the United Arab Emirates (8th), Saudi Arabia (9th), and…
Namibia and Zambia have taken a historic step toward regional integration by abolishing passport requirements for their citizens, allowing travel between the two countries using only national identity cards. The landmark agreement, announced this week, means citizens of both nations can now cross borders freely without the need for visas or passports. Officials say the move will boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, while strengthening people-to-people ties. Zambia’s High Commissioner described the development as a reflection of the “strong historical ties and shared destiny” of the two countries. This follows a similar deal Namibia signed with Botswana just months ago,…
Nigeria’s fourth-largest telecoms operator, 9mobile, has rebranded as T2, unveiling a new identity aimed at reigniting its market presence and accelerating its digital transformation. The Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, announced the change on Friday in Lagos, describing it as a defining moment in the company’s journey toward innovation, agility, and customer-centric growth. “This is not just a brand unveiling. It marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in our company’s history. We are no longer who we were. We are evolving into something greater, more ambitious, and aligned with the future,” Banigbe said. Banigbe explained that T2’s vision…
Nigeria has emerged as the global leader in the percentage of social media users who rely on the platforms primarily for news, according to the Digital 2025 Report by We Are Social and Meltwater. The data shows that 56.6% of Nigerian social media users aged 16 and above say reading news is a main reason they use social media, placing the country ahead of Brazil (52.8%) and Turkey (52.0%), which rank second and third, respectively. The report highlights that more than half of its users in the top five countries — Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, Greece (50.2%), and Argentina (49.7%) —…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has debunked claims of a shutdown, assuring Nigerians and market stakeholders that its operations remain fully active and stable. In a statement issued by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery categorically denied reports alleging suspension of truck loading or production activities. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities,” the statement read. The company explained that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of routine business practice, usually involving bulk parcel sales — a…