Pan African Institute for Development

This study analysed the experiences of 14 CFA zone African countries with that of 12 other African countries and investigated the potential implications of monetary autonomy in the CFA zone using a panel dataset spanning from 1990 to 2023. To assess the relative monetary flexibility in the CFA zone, the study employs a country-by-country ARIMA model on money supply and exchange rate and obtain their flexibility components. Given the two transition variables: exchange rate flexibility and monetary policy flexibility, Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) and Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) models were then applied to the data to assess the implications of monetary autonomy on CFA zone countries. The DSGE model indicates a high degree of interest rate smoothing suggesting that the central banks (BEAC and BCEAO) face challenges in adjusting the nominal interest rate quickly in response to changing macroeconomic economic conditions. The findings from the PSTR indicate that in a less flexible monetary and exchange rate environment household consumption is responsive to changes in traditional macroeconomic factors like wages, capital, taxes, and inflation. In a more flexible monetary and exchange rate environment, the magnitudes of the effects of these macroeconomic factors on household consumption are generally larger. In the more flexible regime, the positive impact of investment, capital, and government spending on economic growth is more pronounced, while the negative impact of taxation is more severe. The transition between the two regimes is governed by smooth thresholds with a rapid transition as the thresholds are crossed. The study recommends that Francophone African countries transition to an autonomous monetary policy framework to enhance economic growth by addressing unique challenges like inflation and exchange rates. A phased approach based on Optimum Currency Area theory is essential, emphasising regional integration and institutional support. Economic diversification, improved governance, and training for central banks are crucial for successful implementation. Finally, fostering intra-African trade and strengthening local capital markets will help build a resilient economic foundation.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases risk and premature death have been associated with low fruits and vegetables intake. Around 5.6 to 7.8 million of global premature deaths were declared due to insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables. The objective of this study was to assess the association between fruits and vegetables intake and fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods Employing a cross-sectional analytical design, 440 study participants aged between 30 and 75 years participated in this study using Cochrane sample size formula and stratified random sampling combined with simple random sampling. Stepwise questionnaire, clinical forms and biological blood samples were used to get socio-demographic, fruits, and vegetables(F&V) data and prior information for predicting the cardiovascular risk with cox regression analysis through Framingham general risk score. Chi-square and logistic regression statistical analysis were used to assess the association between F&V intake and categorized cardiovascular diseases risk (low CVD risk:<10% and elevated CVD risk > = 10%). The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05 and 95%CI. Results The findings of this study revealed that the mean age was 44.92 years with interquartile range of IQR: 45(38-51.75). Around 75.9% of study participants consumed vegetables for two days and fewer in a typical week, and 79.8% of participants were found to consume less than one serving. Additionally, consuming vegetables below three days in a typical week was associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk ( > = 10%) with AOR: 5.869, 95% CI: 2.710-12.714, p < 0.001. Having less than one serving of vegetables or consuming none were associated with a twofold increase in elevated cardiovascular disease risk ( > = 10%) with AOR: 2.135, 95% CI: 1.136–4.010, p = 0.01. Moreover, consuming less than one serving of fruits was associated with a fourfold increase in elevated cardiovascular disease risk ( > = 10%) with AOR: 4.41, 95% CI: 1.938–10.042, p < 0.001. Conclusion This study concludes that consuming a low quantity of servings and infrequent intake of fruits and vegetables in a typical week is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases ( > = 10%).

The study assessed organizational capacity and challenges in disability sports participation by secondary school students with special needs in Ibadan, Nigeria. The tested independent variables were organizational predators variables of strategic planning, network capacity, logistics, funding sources, sports infrastructure, interest of coaches and knowledge of organizing personnel while disability sport participation was used as the dependent variable. Strategic planning (ß=0.289, t=2.816, p=0.008), logistics (ß=0.612, t=7.103, p=0.000), interest of coaches (ß=0.536, t=7.795, p=0.000) and knowledge of organizing personnel (ß=0.500, t=7.836, p=0.000) were independently tested significantly on disability sport participation while network capacity (ß=0.171, t=1.772, p=0.085), funding sources (ß=0.082, t=1.360, p=0.182) and sports infrastructure (ß=0.111, t=1.948, p=0.059) are not independently tested significant on disability sport participation. There is a composite joint contribution of strategic planning, network capacity, infrastructure, funding, logistics, interest of coaches, and knowledge of organizing personnel on disability sports participation in schools of individuals with special needs in Ibadan, Nigeria (F(7,39)=100.210, p=0.00). The result also generated a coefficient multiple regression of R=0.977 and R2 =0.955; implying that about 95.5% of variance was accounted for by the independent variable. Strategic planning, logistics, interest of coaches, and knowledge of organizing personnel variables individually and collectively showed a positive contribution to disability sport participation, hence, there is a need to consider them on the subject of disability sport participation in schools of individuals with special needs in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract This cross-sectional study investigates awareness/knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, transmission, prevention, and HPV vaccine among tertiary institution students in Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from two tertiary institutions in Plateau State, Nigeria. The study participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A well-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Students’ responses were analysed to assess their awareness and knowledge regarding HPV transmission, prevention, and vaccination. A composite score was obtained for general HPV knowledge. A score of more than 70.0% indicated good knowledge. The distribution of the variables was examined using frequency distribution and descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was performed for bivariate analysis. Logistics regression was performed to examine the odds of having good HPV knowledge among the students. Level of significant was set at 95%.Of 425 students in this study, 302 (71.1%) were female and 123 (28.9%) were male. There was low awareness of HPV among students, with higher awareness among the females 66 (23.1%) than the males 26 (22.2%) (p = .853). Both female 77 (26.1%) and male students 31 (26.72%) had low awareness of HPV vaccination. Among all participants, only 19 (5%) demonstrated good knowledge of HPV. Students who were employed significantly had good knowledge of HPV compared to those who were unemployed.There is low awareness and general knowledge of HPV and its vaccination among tertiary institution students in Plateau State, Nigeria. The students’ employment status is associated with their knowledge of HPV.

This research presents an integrated approach for object detection and tracking in autonomous perception systems, combining deep learning techniques for object detection with sensor fusion and field programmable gate array (FPGA-based) hardware implementation of the Kalman filter. This approach is suitable for applications like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and augmented reality. The study explores the seamless integration of pre-trained deep learning models, sensor data from a depth camera, real-sense D435, and FPGA-based Kalman filtering to achieve robust and accurate 3D position and 2D size estimation of tracked objects while maintaining low latency. The object detection and feature extraction are implemented on a central processing unit (CPU), and the Kalman filter sensor fusion with universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) communication is implemented on a Basys 3 FPGA board that performs 8 times faster compared to the software approach. The experimental result provides the hardware resource utilization of about 29% of look-up tables, 6% of lookup table RAMs (LUTRAM), 15% of Flip-flops, 32% of Block-RAM, 38% of DSP blocks operating at 100 MHz, and 230400 baud rates for the UART. The whole FPGA design executes at 2.1 milliseconds, the Kalman filter executes at 240 microseconds, and the UART at 1.86 milliseconds.

This article assesses the impact of technological innovation on unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the 21st century, the focus on technological innovation, particularly in information and communication technologies (ICT), has intensified as a means of fostering economic growth in developing countries. This study aims to address the critical gap in empirical research by investigating the association between technological innovation and unemployment in the region by covering more years than reviewed works. The study spans from 1995 to 2020 across twenty (20) SSA countries using a quantitative research strategy -panel data analysis. Results indicate that technological innovation, particularly in ICT and digital infrastructure, significantly influences employment rates, shapes employment structures, and promotes overall growth indicating the crucial role of a robust digital infrastructure in shaping varied employment landscapes within SSA. To address unemployment, this article recommends fostering a conducive environment for technological advancement and innovation by enhancing data collection, investing in digital infrastructure and research & development amongst others. Policies should be reviewed to create a favorable environment for change to address socio-economic disparities, ensure equitable access to technology and contribute to sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development across the region. This study would help policymakers and academics in the region, offering valuable insights.