Summary of discussions on IITA - WARDA

This record contains the summary notes of the following two meetings: a) the September 8, 2005 meeting held in Washington to discuss the recommendations relating to West and Central Africa by the CGIAR Task Forces on Programmatic and Structural/Organizational Alignment and the October 1-2, 2005 meeting held in Paris, France between the Executive Committees of the Boards of Trustees of IITA and WARDA. This record was discussed at the Business meeting at AGM2005

Impact of trade liberalization on agriculture in the near East and North Africa:

Trade liberalization Africa, Agricultural trade., Economic development Africa, Sub-Saharan., Sustainable agriculture Africa, Sub-Saharan, Agricultural marketing, Agricultural policy Africa, Sub-Saharan, Agriculture Economic aspects Africa,

How the Cervical Microbiota Contributes to Cervical Cancer Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite ongoing efforts, sub-Saharan Africa faces a higher cervical cancer burden than anywhere else in the world. Besides HPV infection, definitive factors of cervical cancer are still unclear. Particular states of the cervicovaginal microbiota and viral infections are associated with increased cervical cancer risk. Notably, HIV infection, which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, greatly increases risk of cervicovaginal dysbiosis and cervical cancer. To better understand and address cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, a better knowledge of the regional cervicovaginal microbiome is required This review establishes current knowledge of HPV, HIV, cervicovaginal infections, and the cervicovaginal microbiota in sub-Saharan Africa. Because population statistics are not available for the region, estimates are derived from smaller cohort studies. Microbiota associated with cervical inflammation have been found to be especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and to associate with increased cervical cancer risk. In addition to high prevalence and diversity of HIV and HPV, intracellular bacterial infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Mycoplasma hominis are much more common than in regions with a low burden of cervical cancer. This suggests the prevalence of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa may be partially attributed to increased cervical inflammation resulting from higher likelihood of cervical infection and/or microbial dysbiosis

Report of the CGIAR Sub-Saharan Africa Task Forces : the Tervuren Consensus

The CGIAR created two Task Forces (TFs) to conduct a study on rationalization of CGIAR operations across the System, starting with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). TF1 was asked to examine CGIAR’s work in terms of its programmatic coherence with and relevance to the CGIAR’s vision, goals and its clients’ needs, with a view to identifying opportunities for integration and synergies. TF2 was given the task of reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the existing System arrangements and identify opportunities for organizational adjustments towards increasing effectiveness and efficiency of CGIAR research. The two TFs decided to work closely together, hold joint meetings, and prepare a joint report. The observations and conclusions presented in this report were drawn based on data or information collected from available published documents/reports and using instruments which included the following: 1) a survey of the perceptions of the CGIAR stakeholders in SSA; 2) a survey of the CGIAR Centers infrastructure, staff resources, funding, program focus, and interaction with partners (mode and product of cooperation) in the region; and 3) field consultations/visits undertaken by consultants engaged by the TFs. This report was discussed at the Business Meeting at AGM2005

Realizing the Demographic Dividend: Is Africa any different?

The demographic transition creates a window of opportunity during which economies may benefit from a temporary increase in the working age share of the population. While many economies have already enjoyed these benefits, they remain a promising opportunity for much of Sub-Saharan Africa. We show in this paper that Sub-Saharan Africa adheres to the same principles as the rest of the world with respect to the determinants of economic growth, including particularly the effects of demographic change. Assuming a policy and institutional context that is conducive to economic growth, most Sub-Saharan countries have the potential to reap a sizable demographic dividend.growth, Africa, Demographic Dividend, demography, sub-saharan.

Access, affordability, and alternatives: Modern infrastructure services in Africa

This report reviews recent trends in household access to infrastructure services and associated budgetary expenditures in Africa. It is based on a pooled database that draws upon the entire body of household surveys conducted in sub-Saharan Africa in the last 15 years.Basic Infrastructure; Water; Electricity; sub-Saharan Africa

Globalization, financial depth, and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper examines the relationship between globalization, financial deepening, and inequality in sub-Saharan Africa between 1980 and 2002. We provide the first detailed econometric analysis in this regard covering the entire sub-Saharan African region; such an analysis has hardly been conducted owing to the lack of relevant data. We find that while globalization deteriorates inequality, its disequalizing effect depends on the level of development of the country. Further, this paper confirms that globalization deteriorates the equalizing effect of financial depth, although the latter helps to reduce inequality. We conclude that in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of globalization, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer.Globalization, Financial Depth, Inequality, Sub-Saharan Africa

Globalization, Financial Depth, and Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper examines the relationship between globalization, financial deepening, and inequality in sub-Saharan Africa between 1980 and 2002. We provide the first detailed econometric analysis in this regard covering the entire sub-Saharan African region; such an analysis has hardly been conducted owing to the lack of relevant data. We find that while globalization deteriorates inequality, its disequalizing effect depends on the level of development of the country. Further, this paper confirms that globalization deteriorates the equalizing effect of financial depth, although the latter helps to reduce inequality. We conclude that in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of globalization, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer.Globalization, Financial Depth, Inequality, Sub-Saharan Africa

Systematic review of birth cohort studies in Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, unacceptably high rates of mortality amongst women and children continue to persist. The emergence of research employing new genomic technologies is advancing knowledge on cause of disease. This review aims to identify birth cohort studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and to consider their suitability as a platform to support genetic epidemiological studies

Policy options of agricultural biotechnology R&D in Sub-Saharan Africa: key issues and aspects

This paper reviews the status of Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa. It addresses the potential economic benefits to Sub-Saharan Africa and the effect biotechnology policies may have on growth, production and poverty reduction. The extent to which agricultural biotechnology will compound or mitigate the constraints faced by smallholders/subsistence farmers is also discussed. The status of crop biotechnology research worldwide is reviewed and the influence of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and market concentration on the development and diffusion of biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa is analyzed. The paper also explores the potential of public-private partnerships and recommends policy measures and investments that could focus more biotechnology research on the problems of the poor and alleviate some of the concerns about the impacts of biotechnology.Policy Options; Intellectual Property; Biotechnology; Sub-Saharan Africa; Technology Diffusion