While Western and Asian nations have long refined their legislative processes to meet contemporary demands, African parliaments are steadily adapting their frameworks to foster inclusive governance, digital efficiency, and socio-political stability. This transformation signifies a profound evolution in Africa’s democratic institutions as they strive to overcome historical challenges and align with global best practices.

READ ALSO: African Parliamentary Networks: Cooperation and Challenges

A global perspective reveals that parliamentary evolution is often driven by economic imperatives, citizen engagement, and technological advancements. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), more than 68% of national parliaments worldwide have digitised their operations, enabling virtual sessions, e-legislation, and real-time public participation. In the United States, Congress has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into legislative drafting and policy analysis, expediting decision-making processes. Similarly, the European Parliament has adopted stringent transparency measures, allowing citizens to scrutinise legislative proceedings through open-access platforms.

In Asia, Singapore’s e-Parliament initiative exemplifies how digital governance can enhance legislative efficiency. However, Africa’s legislative landscape presents a unique case. As of 2023, only 40% of African parliaments had fully digitised legislative processes, with South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya leading the way in adopting e-governance tools. The continent faces significant gaps in technological infrastructure, legal reforms, and parliamentary independence, yet several case studies highlight commendable progress.

African parliaments are increasingly asserting themselves in governance, addressing contemporary challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, and cybersecurity. In Nigeria, the National Assembly’s passage of the Start-Up Act in 2022 illustrates how legislative bodies are fostering innovation-led economic growth. The law, aimed at supporting tech entrepreneurs, aligns Nigeria with global trends in digital economy policies.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s parliament has played a crucial role in enacting policies to curb illegal mining, tackling environmental degradation through strict legal frameworks. Rwanda’s parliament has gone further by leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline legislative research and deliberations, setting a precedent for digital governance across the continent. These examples indicate that African legislatures are not only responding to present challenges but are also shaping the future of governance through proactive policymaking.

One of the most critical areas of parliamentary evolution in Africa is electoral reform. Historically, electoral disputes have plagued many African democracies, undermining stability and development. However, there is a growing trend of legislative interventions to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. Kenya’s 2022 electoral process, largely upheld as transparent, was significantly influenced by legal frameworks established by the Kenyan Parliament. By integrating biometric voter registration and real-time results transmission, Kenya’s legislature demonstrated how legal innovation could enhance electoral integrity. In contrast, Zimbabwe’s parliament has struggled to implement comprehensive electoral reforms, highlighting the uneven progress in democratic evolution across the continent.

Security legislation has also taken centre stage as African nations grapple with terrorism, cyber threats, and cross-border conflicts. The rise of militant groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and armed insurgencies in the Sahel region has prompted legislative bodies to enact stringent counterterrorism laws. Nigeria’s 2011 Anti-Terrorism Act, which has undergone multiple amendments, showcases how parliaments are adapting to evolving security challenges. Similarly, the African Union’s (AU) emphasis on legislative collaboration among member states to combat terrorism reflects the growing role of parliaments in regional security frameworks.

Economic governance is another defining aspect of Africa’s parliamentary transformation. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in full swing, legislative bodies across the continent are harmonising trade policies to facilitate seamless intra-African commerce. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), AfCFTA could boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2025, provided that national parliaments align their legislative frameworks with regional economic goals. South Africa’s parliament has played a leading role in aligning national policies with AfCFTA objectives, demonstrating the potential of legislative harmonisation in fostering economic growth.

Beyond economic and security concerns, African parliaments are addressing gender inclusivity and human rights. Countries such as Rwanda and Ethiopia have set global benchmarks in gender representation, with women holding over 60% and 50% of parliamentary seats, respectively. This shift signifies a broader recognition of gender equity as a legislative priority. However, challenges remain, as nations like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo struggle with restrictive policies that hinder women’s political participation.

As African parliaments continue to evolve, the key to sustained progress lies in institutional strengthening, technological integration, and regional cooperation. Lessons drawn from global legislative trends can serve as a blueprint for Africa’s parliamentary future. While significant strides have been made, the road ahead requires deliberate reforms, robust public engagement, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles. In an era defined by unprecedented challenges and opportunities, Africa’s legislatures stand at the crossroads of transformation, poised to redefine governance for generations to come.

The post Evolution of African Parliaments: Adapting to 21st-Century Challenges appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Globally, solar energy is leading the investment race. In 2024 alone, solar photovoltaics (PV) attracted over $500 billion in investments, surpassing all other electricity generation sources combined. Hydropower, despite its historical dominance, is witnessing a decline in new investments, with only $130 billion annually allocated for expansion.

READ ALSO: Africa’s Journey towards a Solar-Powered Future

Solar energy’s installed capacity reached 1.5 terawatts (TW) in 2023, overtaking wind energy and closing in on hydropower’s 1.4 TW capacity. However, hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity, generating over 4,200 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, while solar contributes approximately 1,300 TWh, according to the 2024 International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report.

Efficiency-wise, hydropower surpasses solar with a capacity factor of 40-60%, compared to 15-25% for solar. This means hydropower plants generate electricity more consistently than solar farms, which rely on sunlight availability.

The African Context: Hydropower’s Legacy vs. Solar’s Disruption

Africa has long relied on hydropower, which accounts for nearly 70% of the continent’s renewable electricity (African Development Bank, 2023). The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), expected to generate 6.45 gigawatts (GW), exemplifies Africa’s hydropower ambitions. Similarly, Inga III in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has the potential to add another 11 GW to Africa’s grid.

Yet, hydropower faces significant challenges. Africa’s hydropower potential is heavily reliant on river systems like the Nile, Congo, and Zambezi, which are vulnerable to climate change-induced droughts. Countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced severe blackouts in 2019 and 2022 due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam.

Conversely, solar energy is rapidly gaining traction. Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco are spearheading large-scale solar projects, with Egypt’s Benban Solar Park (1.65 GW) ranking among the largest in the world. Africa’s solar potential is immense, with daily irradiation levels exceeding 5.5 kWh/m², making it one of the sunniest continents. In 2024, solar PV capacity in Africa surpassed 14 GW, a threefold increase since 2018.

Cost and Feasibility: Which Is More Practical for Africa?

Cost is a decisive factor. The levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar PV dropped to $0.04/kWh in 2024, compared to $0.07/kWh for large-scale hydropower. This decline is driven by technological advancements and economies of scale, making solar more financially attractive.

Solar also offers flexibility. Unlike hydropower, which requires multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and long gestation periods, solar farms can be deployed quickly. For instance, Kenya’s Garissa Solar Plant (50 MW) was completed in less than two years, whereas large dams often take a decade or more.

However, hydropower provides energy storage and grid stability, which solar lacks. Hydropower’s ability to store excess energy in reservoirs makes it crucial for balancing Africa’s intermittent renewables, especially in regions with underdeveloped battery storage technology.

Environmental Considerations: Sustainability and Climate Impact

Environmental sustainability is a key concern. Hydropower projects often lead to deforestation, displacement of communities, and ecosystem disruption. The Merowe Dam in Sudan displaced over 50,000 people, and Ghana’s Akosombo Dam altered the Volta River ecosystem.

Solar, in contrast, has a lower ecological footprint. However, the production of solar panels relies on rare earth minerals like lithium and cobalt, raising concerns about unsustainable mining practices in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Africa’s Best Bet: A Balanced Approach

The verdict? Neither hydropower nor solar alone can power Africa’s green future. A hybrid approach is essential.
Solar should be the dominant energy source due to its declining costs, scalability, and abundance. Investments in decentralised solar mini-grids can rapidly expand access to electricity in rural areas.

Hydropower must play a complementary role, particularly for grid stability and energy storage. Future investments should focus on small and run-of-river hydropower projects, which minimise environmental and social impacts.

Energy storage and grid modernisation are critical. Expanding battery storage solutions and investing in grid infrastructure will maximise the benefits of solar energy and mitigate its intermittency.

Shaping Africa’s Renewable Energy Future

Africa stands at an energy crossroads. While hydropower has historically been the backbone of the continent’s renewable energy, solar is emerging as the more cost-effective and scalable solution. A strategic blend of solar dominance and hydropower stability, supported by investments in battery storage and transmission infrastructure, will be the most viable path towards a sustainable and resilient green future.

As the sun rises on Africa’s energy revolution, it is clear that solar energy, with the right policies and investments, will lead the continent’s transition towards a cleaner, more prosperous future.

The post Hydropower vs. Solar: What’s Africa’s Best Bet for a Green Future? appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

African Initiatives to Counter Chinese Dominance

One of the initiatives that Africa is spearheading to counter resource exploitation is the Lobito Atlantic Railway, a revitalised Benguela Railway project. This 1,289-kilometre railway aims to connect mining sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia’s copper belt to the Angolan port of Lobito, facilitating resource exports while enhancing regional trade.

READ ALSO: Is Africa’s Natural Resources Being Wasted?

The United States and the European Union are actively supporting these initiatives. During the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit in 2022, the U.S., DRC, and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to develop electric vehicle battery value chains. Additionally, a consortium comprising Portuguese, Belgian, and French firms secured a 30-year concession to operate the Benguela railway and its mineral terminal.

In 2023, President Biden announced a U.S.-EU partnership to develop the Lobito Corridor under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure (PGI). The PGI seeks to establish economic corridors through strategic partnerships and integrated investments, fostering regional growth and enhancing global connectivity.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these efforts, the concentration of critical raw materials in regions plagued by chronic instability presents significant risks to governments and investors alike. Challenges such as excessive debt, China’s economic slowdown, and shifting political landscapes across the continent create strategic openings for the EU and Washington to expand their influence.

The U.S. and EU are competing with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has heavily invested in Africa over the past two decades. In contrast, the alternative model proposed by the Lobito Corridor aims to generate a “trickle-down” effect, fostering sustainable growth across interconnected sectors.

The recent crisis in Mozambique underscores the necessity of alternative export routes during periods of unrest. Meanwhile, China’s concession of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) demonstrates that competition between global powers is not always adversarial; rather, it can be complementary, with the potential to benefit African nations.

Future Prospects

The outlook for Africa is promising. The Lobito Corridor project is expected to enhance trade and mobility by reducing transport times and costs in a region where infrastructure deficits and logistical bottlenecks remain significant hurdles to growth. The initiative could also drive broader economic benefits by creating jobs and attracting investments in agriculture, services, and digital connectivity.

As Africa continues to develop its natural resources, it must maintain control over its strategic assets. Through regional integration and establishment of more hospitable economic ecosystem, African nations can reduce dependence on foreign entities while ensuring sustainable development. Ultimately, the future of Africa’s natural resources hinges on its ability to retain control over its wealth and distribute its benefits equitably among its citizens.

The post The Fight for Resource Control: Countering Foreign Exploitation appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Other features of the Handmade wooden vehicle include an angular frame, two small wheels (often of wood, sometimes wrapped with rubber), handlebars, and a pad for the operator to place their knee on while propelling the vehicle with their leg.

When a rider wants to head for a descent, he or she stands on the deck like a kick scooter. And while on flat ground, the rider can put one knee on the deck and push the ground with the other foot still like a knee scooter. Rubber mud flaps and shock absorber springs may be added to give the vehicle more feel.

Pedro Sarracayo invented the Chukudu in 1972. Saracayo, a Portuguese national, resided in North Angola’s town of Uige, near the Congolese border (Zaire River) between 1966 and 1975. He developed the Chukudu after realizing the need for local, on-foot transportation of big cargo.

In North Kivu, this technology originally appeared in the 1970s, amid Mobutu Sese Seko’s tough economic times. At that period there existed a price range of $100 in 2008, with a material cost of about $60.

In a region where most people lived on less than $2 per day, they cost $50 to $100 and might earn up to $10 per day in 2014. According to a 2014 report, a driver might pay off the projected $150 cost in around six months while making $10–20 each day.

And in Goma, where chukudus act as the backbone of the local transportation system”, they are mainly made out of hard Mumba wood and eucalyptus wood, with scrap tires for wheel treads.

They can take up to three days to build and can also last two to three years. The most commonly used size is about six and a half feet long and carries a load of 1000 lbs. However, “the largest chukudus can carry up to 800 kilograms of weight.”

Perhaps a small chukudu can be built roughly in about three hours, using dimensional lumber and materials available in a hardware store. It is customizable to carry different types of cargo. To haul firewood some chukudus have a hole drilled in the middle of the sitting deck, and the operator can insert a stick to hold firewood in place. Others have a large basket to carry various loads.

In light of the Republic’s recent entry into the region, a breath of relief will be felt by East Africans, especially those making less than the minimum wage, if they adopt this technology.

This comes at a time when, as recently as last month, fuel prices in the region reached their highest levels. For example, Uganda’s government recently announced that it has no solutions for price reductions at the pump even as prices spiral out of reach for drivers due to global dynamics in eastern Europe.

Again there are also concerns that the current Kenyan General Election crisis could worsen the situation. Industry insiders, however, continue to be wary, stating that while a decline in crude oil prices is positive, motorists in East Africa would continue to pay high rates at the pump until this month is over, should prices decline further.

Brent Crude briefly traded below $100 a barrel on July 5, for the first time in three months before rising above $100, while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate fell to 98.53 on July 6.

Electric Mobility As A Move To Transform East Africa’s Road Transport System.

The good news is that East Africa is currently working aggressively to address the problem of oil shortage with initiatives like electric vehicles. For instance, in the global transition to electric mobility, Uganda and Rwanda are outpacing their East African neighbours. For the past two months, electric vehicle assembly plants have opened in Kampala and Kigali, setting the regional pace while Kenya and Tanzania are still taking baby steps toward adopting the new technology.

By creating two battery-powered cars and a solar-powered bus, Uganda’s state-owned Kiira Motors Corporation has so far demonstrated the greatest ambition in the area. The electric bus, known as the Kayoola Electric Vehicle Series (EVS), was created in collaboration with Chinese Equipment Manufacturer, Motor Co. Ltd. using Kiira Motors’ in-house green mobility technologies.

Compared to diesel-powered buses, which have a capacity of 90 passengers (49 seated and 41 standing), the buses have a range of 300 kilometres on a single charge. Volkswagen began producing electric vehicles in Rwanda in October of this year, and Siemens, a German manufacturer of power equipment, plans to install 15 charging stations in Kigali.

This comes after a local Rwandan company called Ampersand began selling electric bikes that are powered by batteries with a range of roughly 75 kilometres. However, compared to other regions of the world, East Africa continues to adopt electrical cars at an exceedingly low rate, according to the 2019 Global EV Outlook report.

According to the International Energy Agency assessment, the lack of financial incentives, such as subsidies and rebates on car acquisition taxes, lower toll or parking rates, and a lack of investment in charging infrastructure is to blame.

Most of Kenya’s locally generated electricity comes from renewable energy
Kenya is a forerunner in the use of renewable energy; in 2020, hydro, thermal, and wind power generated 92.3% of the country’s electricity, which is three times more than renewable energy sources worldwide.

The nation is also a pioneer in the field of electric vehicles. Of Kenya’s 2.2 million cars, just about 350 are electric, but the nation wants to boost this number. 2019 saw a decrease in Kenya’s import taxes on all-electric vehicles. The following year, it unveiled a plan to boost EV use while lowering spending on importing fuel and maintaining the environment. The policy calls for charging stations to be installed in new housing developments and public buildings.

Kenya Electricity, the nation’s power company, intends to construct charging stations throughout the nation while advocating for additional reductions in import duties for electric vehicles.

Transportation of Africa during The Pre-Colonial Times.

In many areas of precolonial Africa, there were highly established transportation systems. During the subsequent colonial era, these systems were reorganized to penetrate the interior from the seaports and, primarily, to serve the commercial and administrative interests of the colonial powers.

The juxtaposition of various and challenging terrains, the economic artificiality of some national frontiers, the lack of a developed intra-African trade, and the strong orientation of commodity trade with the administering countries were the causes of their fragmentation, which resulted in interregional links being but thinly developed. The fact that there were huge unpopulated areas positioned between the major cities further compounded everything.

Improvements in economic planning, the growth of transportation networks, and the introduction of lower freight rates were heralded by the emergence of independent African governments in the 1960s that understood the need to raise economies from their typically very low levels and, above all, to develop agriculture and start industrialization.

However, there was still a severe lack of skilled African labour to build and operate national or international transportation systems while also keeping up with the rapid advancement of transportation technologies outside of Africa.

The post East Africa: Congo’s Handmade Wooden Taxi Most Favoured Means Of Road Transport appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

This institution aims at enhancing regulatory oversight and facilitating access to safe and affordable medicines across the continent.

Morocco has already won the support of many African countries for its bid. Recently the Democratic Republic of the Congo said it backs Morocco, a country that spared no effort to help its African peers deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Morocco sent vital medical aid to dozens of African countries from all corners of the continent. These airlifted shipments included vital medicine, protective gear and medical equipment.

The Kingdom has also taken steps, including setting up a vaccine production plant to serve as an export hub to the rest of Africa, which is already suffering from vaccine distribution inequality.

Following a meeting last week with his Congolese peer in Rabat, Moroccan health minister, Khalid Ait Taleb said hosting the African Medicines Agency is an endeavour in line with the Kingdom’s commitment to developing medicines sovereignty in Africa.

The post Morocco seeks to host African Medicines Agency appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.