Sub-Saharan Africa

Pangolin

Nigeria passes major new wildlife trafficking law

By / / Good News For Humankind

A groundbreaking legal reform in Nigeria has created a strong deterrent against illegal wildlife trafficking. The new law increases penalties, targeting the pervasive trade where shipments of pangolin scales alone have reached staggering weights, such as 51 tons in 2019. This decisive action strengthens national enforcement and the capacity of rangers. It provides crucial protection for endangered species like pangolins and forest elephants, reinforcing the commitment to biodiversity in Nigeria and abroad.

Nine nations commit to recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous land by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

A landmark international coalition has committed to formally recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous and traditional community lands worldwide. The nine countries making this pledge are Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, the Republic of Congo, Peru, and Venezuela. This massive commitment to land tenure security empowers millions of Indigenous and local people to be the primary stewards of their ancestral territories, ensuring the permanent protection of globally vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.

Porto-Novo, Benin

Benin commits to making renewables its main source of power by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

Benin is launching a strategic national effort to make renewable energy its main source of power by 2030. The National Renewable Energy Development Policy aims to increase renewables to 30% of the energy mix. This push includes a target to install at least $100$ megawatts (MW) of solar capacity. This shift is accelerating energy independence, reducing reliance on costly imports, and empowering local economies across the nation.

African children

Niger becomes first African nation declared free from river blindness

By / / Good News For Humankind

This major public health triumph has eradicated onchocerciasis, or river blindness, in Niger. The nation is the first in Africa to achieve this World Health Organization-verified status. This victory eliminates a debilitating parasitic disease that had historically pushed populations away from fertile river valleys. The successful, multi-decade effort restores human dignity, unlocks agricultural land for economic development, and provides a powerful blueprint for eliminating other neglected tropical diseases across the continent.

Solar panels reflect sparkling light from the Sun

Solar imports in Africa up 60% since 2024

By / / Good News For Humankind

A powerful solar energy revolution is now confirmed across Africa, driven by a surge of over 60% in panel imports from China. This “solar take-off” provides a crucial pathway to achieving universal energy access by bypassing outdated infrastructure. The decentralized growth is fueling economic development and local entrepreneurship. By expanding its clean energy supply, the continent is ensuring its future growth is sustainable and resilient against global fossil fuel volatility.

Bacteria under microscope

Cholera vaccination campaign launched in Darfur to protect over 1.8 million people

By / / Good News For Humankind

A vital cholera vaccination campaign has been launched in Darfur, Sudan, aiming to protect over 1.86 million people. This urgent intervention is a major victory for global health, achieved despite the ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region. Humanitarian teams, led by the WHO and UNICEF, overcame immense logistical challenges to deliver millions of vaccine doses. This proactive measure is crucial for halting the spread of the country’s longest-recorded cholera outbreak and safeguarding the lives of highly vulnerable populations, especially young children.

Trans pride flag

Kenyan court orders trans rights bill in landmark legal ruling

By / / Good News For Humankind

Kenya’s Eldoret High Court has issued a historic ruling affirming the rights and dignity of transgender people. The case, brought by activist Shieys Chepkosgei, challenged invasive treatment she endured while in custody, with the court declaring her rights had been violated. Judges awarded damages and, most significantly, ordered Parliament to draft legislation protecting transgender people from discrimination. Advocates call the decision a breakthrough for equality in a country where LGBTQ+ communities face stigma and legal barriers. While challenges remain, the ruling is a hopeful step toward recognition, dignity, and stronger protections for transgender Kenyans.

Fly

Kenya declared free of deadly sleeping sickness by WHO

By / / Good News For Humankind

Kenya has officially eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem—becoming the tenth country worldwide and the fifth in Africa to reach this milestone. The disease, spread by tsetse flies, causes fever, swollen lymph nodes and, if untreated, severe damage to the nervous system, disrupting sleep and leading to coma or death. Kenya recorded its last local case in 2009 and its last imported cases in 2012 after years of investment in surveillance, diagnostics and fly control. With WHO validation, Kenya’s success strengthens Africa’s collective drive to eliminate sleeping sickness across the continent by 2030.

Fishing people in Ghana

Ghana passes landmark legislation to protect artisanal fisheries

By / / Good News For Humankind

Ghana has enacted the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act of 2025, a landmark reform that strengthens protections for its artisanal fishing communities. The law doubles the inshore exclusion zone (IEZ) from 6 to 12 nautical miles, effectively banning industrial trawlers from critical coastal waters and safeguarding vital breeding grounds. It also introduces mandatory electronic monitoring on industrial vessels, tougher penalties for illegal activity, and greater autonomy for the Fisheries Commission in managing marine resources. Signed into law by President Mahama on August 19, the reform is widely seen as a major step toward rebuilding overfished stocks, defending livelihoods, and positioning Ghana as a leader in sustainable West African fisheries management.

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos bans single-use plastics

By / / Good News For Humankind

On July 1, 2025, Lagos introduced a ban on single-use plastics like Styrofoam plates, straws, and cutlery. The city—home to 20 million people—has long battled severe plastic pollution, with clogged waterways worsening floods and harming health. The ban is already driving grassroots recycling, sparking innovation in sustainable packaging, and raising public awareness about waste reduction. If supported by stronger enforcement, better waste systems, and affordable alternatives, this move could slash hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste annually—positioning Lagos as a model for African cities aiming to protect their environment and build a cleaner, more resilient future.