Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Esther Ngumbi

Creator

Esther Ngumbi

Guest Author

When African countries strengthen and grow their research and innovation capabilities
AFRICA

African governments must invest in science for future growth

Allocating adequate funding to scientific research, development and innovation can have a positive effect on sustainable development

  • Esther Ngumbi
4 min read
Labouring: African women constitute 40% of the agricultural workforce and produce 70% of the continent’s food. Photo: Luis Tato/AFP
AGRICULTURE

Support African women working in agriculture

African women, on average, make up 40% of the agricultural labour workforce, but their contributions continue to be barely recognised

  • Esther Ngumbi
3 min read
Graça Machel, a vocal advocate for women’s rights, understands that, to achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals, young women have to be empowered. (Gulshan Khan/AFP)
EDUCATION

Ma Africa leads the way

Graça Machel is the example of someone reaching out to other women and lifting them up

  • Esther Ngumbi
5 min read
Aerofarms in Newark, New Jersey, is the world’s largest high-tech vertical ‘farm’. It’s in a 9?144m2 warehouse, which has no sun or soil and uses less water
CITIES

Turn Africa’s cities into vertical farms

Although the problems are enormous, cities can also offer unique opportunities to reduce poverty, deliver prosperity and economic development

  • Esther Ngumbi
3 min read
Change the direction of your thesis if things have changed in the world – don’t stick with something that isn’t working
ESTHER NGUMBI

Science will unlock Africa’s potential — if it is funded

Any good leader knows that scientific discovery and innovation fuel progress, facilitate development and can tackle issues

  • Esther Ngumbi
4 min read
Youth unemployment is at an all-time high. Photo: Oupa Nkosi/M&G
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

Africa’s youth, brimming with potential, must be nurtured

Although Africa has the highest proportion of young people, it has the highest prevalence of hunger

  • Esther Ngumbi
4 min read
South Africa is in a better place regarding food security when compared with various countries in the world. (David Harrison)
ASPEN INSTITUTE NEW VOICES

Bring women farmers to the food security table

Women agriculturalists are central to finding solutions to problems in the food industry

  • Esther Ngumbi
4 min read
Small family-run farms can help the African economy grow.
FARMING

African farmers should think local

Thinking and growing local would create opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and promote nutritious indigenous vegetables, argues Esther Ngumbi.

  • Esther Ngumbi
4 min read