The biggest concern is that nuclear power is too expensive for South Africa and investing in it will cripple the economy. ShutterstockSouth Africa is facing a critical decision that could see it investing about R1 trillion – or US$ 60 billion to $ 70 billion – in a fleet of new nuclear power stations. Proponents argue that it will greatly increase electrical base-load … [Read more...] about How the state capture controversy has influenced South Africa’s nuclear build | The Conversation
Africa’s
Africa’s rising middle class: time to sort out fact from fiction | The Conversation
A street trader looks out from his store in Cape Town, South Africa. Defining people who earn US$ 2 a day as middle class doesn't make sense. EPA/Nic BothmaSince the turn of the century the middle classes of the global South have taken centre stage in economic policy circles. Animated by diversification of some countries’ economies, a handful of economists from … [Read more...] about Africa’s rising middle class: time to sort out fact from fiction | The Conversation
Limited food options take their toll on the health of South Africa’s rural poor | The Conversation
Siphiwe Sibeko/ReutersIn the past 20 years, researchers have linked the increase of obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in low- and middle-income countries to urbanisation, changing diets and less active lives. The spread of big retail food chains and fast food has also had an impact – increasing the availability of processed, high-energy, … [Read more...] about Limited food options take their toll on the health of South Africa’s rural poor | The Conversation
Africa’s ticking time bomb: $35 billion worth of Eurobond debt | The Conversation
African countries are facing a huge problem brought on by a sovereign debt crisis. ShutterstockThe 2008 economic crisis is the single largest factor that has driven developing countries to seek alternative sources of financing for social and developmental infrastructure. This was a result of the drying up of bilateral loans and grants from European and American countries. … [Read more...] about Africa’s ticking time bomb: $35 billion worth of Eurobond debt | The Conversation
Rwanda provides lessons on how to narrow Africa’s energy deficit | The Conversation
Rwanda has ambitious plans to improve its electricity output in the next few years. James Akena/ReutersOnly 16% of Rwanda’s households are connected to the grid. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The country is emerging as a regional high-tech hub and one of the world’s most competitive economies. It is one of the countries showing that it is possible to reverse the trend of not … [Read more...] about Rwanda provides lessons on how to narrow Africa’s energy deficit | The Conversation
