The 2022 Russia-Ukraine War: Implications for Africa

This study seeks to examine the far-reaching implications of Russia's war with Ukraine for the African continent. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe but also had far-reaching ramifications for Africa. This study examines African viewpoints regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and, delves into the ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war on food security, energy, and climate, as well as on Africa’s politics and security. The qualitative research approach was employed to gather, analyse, and interpret the data collected. A total of five interviews were carried out and the respondents were carefully selected for the study. Based on interviews and secondary data sources, the study revealed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was perceived as a result and a catalyst of great-power competition with African governments having varied responses to the war. From the study, the ongoing war in Ukraine has the potential to weaken democracy in Africa, increase political deadlock in regional security initiatives and worsen the climate change crisis. Amid great powers' struggle for influence in Africa, the study highlighted that the invasion presents both challenges and opportunities. The study finally suggests that African leaders must formulate foreign policies rooted in principles that allow for cooperation with these competing powers in a manner that aligns with their own national interests and simultaneously serves regional and continental interests. At the same time, African countries should strive to optimize their role in averting the escalation of major power competitors into a Cold War or a full-scale war

‘FAN the SUN brighter': Fortifying Africa nutritionally (FAN) - the role of public private partnership in scaling up nutrition (SUN) in West Africa

The scaling up nutrition (SUN) policy framework requires extensive public-private partnership (PPP). Malnutrition is multi-dimensional and should engage multi-sectoral platforms. The SUN policy however did not fully embrace the dynamics of harnessing PPP. The objectives of the present paper are to highlight the reasons for the apprehension around PPP and illustrate how effective coordination of PPP in West Africa has contributed to implementing large-scale food fortification with micronutrients as a complementary nutrition intervention. The experience of Helen Keller International (HKI) in scaling up food fortification was emphasised with understanding of the factors contributing to indifference by the international community to private sector contribution to SUN. The roles of different stakeholders in a PPP are elucidated and the process linked to who, why and how to engage. The private sector provides direct nutrition services while the public sector creates the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive on social values. Through this approach fortified vegetable oil and wheat flour are now reaching over 70% of the population in West Africa. As a neutral broker HKI coordinated and facilitated dialogue among the different stakeholders. The core competencies of each stakeholder were harnessed and each partner was held accountable. It concludes that multi-sectoral relationship must be transparent, equitable and based on shared mutual interests. The rules and values of PPP offer opportunities for SU

Changes in the Policy Environment For Infant and Young Child feeding in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, and the Role of Targeted Advocacy

There is limited literature examining shifts in policy environments for nutrition and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) over time, and on the potential contribution of targeted advocacy to improved policy environments in low- and middle-income countries. This study tracked changes in the policy environment over a four-year period in three countries, and examined the role of targeted nutrition and IYCF advocacy strategies by a global initiative

Ethnic diversity and firm performance: Evidence from China's materials and industrial sectors

Several studies examine the determinants of firm performance in China, but none explores the impact of ethnic diversity on firm performance. This study examines the relationship between ethnic diversity and firm performance in China by drawing on province-level indices of ethnic fractionalization and firm-level indicators of financial performance. We analyse a sample of 1079 Chinese firms in the materials and industrial sectors and find that higher ethnic heterogeneity negatively impacts on firm financial performance in these sectors. This implies that ethnic composition can explain observed divergence in firm performance of Chinese firms and that lowgrowth firms can gain economic benefits by minimizing ethnic heterogeneity among its workers

‘<i>FAN the SUN brighter</i>’: Fortifying Africa nutritionally (FAN) – the role of public private partnership in scaling up nutrition (SUN) in West Africa

The scaling up nutrition (SUN) policy framework requires extensive public–private partnership (PPP). Malnutrition is multi-dimensional and should engage multi-sectoral platforms. The SUN policy however did not fully embrace the dynamics of harnessing PPP. The objectives of the present paper are to highlight the reasons for the apprehension around PPP and illustrate how effective coordination of PPP in West Africa has contributed to implementing large-scale food fortification with micronutrients as a complementary nutrition intervention. The experience of Helen Keller International (HKI) in scaling up food fortification was emphasised with understanding of the factors contributing to indifference by the international community to private sector contribution to SUN. The roles of different stakeholders in a PPP are elucidated and the process linked to who, why and how to engage. The private sector provides direct nutrition services while the public sector creates the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive on social values. Through this approach fortified vegetable oil and wheat flour are now reaching over 70% of the population in West Africa. As a neutral broker HKI coordinated and facilitated dialogue among the different stakeholders. The core competencies of each stakeholder were harnessed and each partner was held accountable. It concludes that multi-sectoral relationship must be transparent, equitable and based on shared mutual interests. The rules and values of PPP offer opportunities for SUN.</jats:p