Benin becomes the first West African country to legalize abortion
Before, abortion was only permitted if the pregnancy endangered the life of the pregnant woman, was the result of rape, or was conceived in an incestuous relationship.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa spans dozens of countries south of the Sahara, each with distinct challenges and achievements. This archive collects milestones in health, education, conservation, and economic opportunity from across the region — reported with context and care.
Ten countries now generate almost 100% renewable electricity
Albania, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iceland, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, and Paraguay all now generate more than 97% of their electricity from renewable sources.
Critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas rebounding in Democratic Republic of the Congo
From a previous global estimate of 3,800 individuals, the estimated the global population of Grauer’s gorillas – the world’s largest gorilla subspecies – has almost doubled to 6,800 individuals.
Ethiopia moves to become Africa’s clean energy hub with $40 billion investment
Ethiopia unveiled a $40bn roadmap to build 71 power projects over the next ten years. Of those projects, 16 are hydro-power, 24 wind, 17 steam, and 14 are solar.
Algeria becomes world’s last country to officially end use of leaded gasoline
The world is officially rid of one particularly insidious fossil fuel that for decades was a major cause of public health problems in developing countries, especially in Africa.
35,000 Kenyan farmers unite to transform arid land into green farms
Farmers are learning how to make their degraded lands productive again after joining DryDev, a project led by World Agroforestry that has been working with farmers in Kenya, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Niger since 2013.
Free education takes thousands of Congolese children out of mines and into the classroom
In 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo became one of the last countries in the world to offer free primary education. The new scheme has now permitted four million children to go to school tuition-free.
Sierra Leone abolishes capital punishment
The decision to abolish capital punishment is a significant step forward for fundamental human rights in Sierra Leone and will be especially beneficial to women and girls found guilty of murdering an abuser.
Biggest China bank abandons $3 billion Zimbabwe coal plan
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. told Go Clean ICBC that it won’t fund the 2,800-megawatt Sengwa coal project in northern Zimbabwe.
Gabon becomes first African country paid to protect its rainforest
The UN-backed Central African Forest Initiative (Cafi) has handed over $17m – the first tranche of a $150m deal struck in 2019.