African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Traffic is dangerous and ugly in Africa

Traffic is dangerous and ugly in Africa
Africa has the highest per capita rate of road deaths in the world. Africa has 2% of the world's vehicles but 16% of road fatalities.

Africa has the highest per capita rate of road deaths in the world

Traffic is dangerous and ugly in Africa

It's Not Illness You Need To Worry About When In Africa, It's The Traffic; Nigeria and South Africa have the highest motor vehicle fatality rates in Africa.

The estimated annual number of traffic-related deaths in Africa is around 200,000, a figure that represents 16% of the global traffic deaths. This increase will see road fatalities overtake the number of malaria-related deaths. Africa has 2% of the world's vehicles but 16% of road fatalities.

Traffic Jam in Uganda
Traffic Jam in Uganda
With the highest per capita rate of road fatalities in the world, road deaths in sub-Saharan Africa are projected to more than double from some 243,000 deaths projected for 2015 to 514,000 by 2030. 

Enforcement of road safety measures is in general weak across the African continent, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists make up almost half of those killed on the roads.

The East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (EATTFP) of Kenya, Great Lakes region of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi is an opportunity to improve and develop livability, productively, prosperity addressing the issue of significant transportation challenges in Africa.

Overloaded truck in South Africa
Overloaded truck in South Africa
The East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project will benefit Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi in the stability of the counties through the modernization of transportation infrastructure including roads and the removal of red-tape obstacles to trade.

Working with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of Works and Transport, and Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority, the EATTFP project is co-financed by the African Development fund and the World Bank.

Traffic in Abeokuta the capital of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria
Traffic in southwest Nigeria
Approval Date of the project was January 24, 2006, the closing date September 30, 2015. The Total Project Cost in US dollars is around $281 million.

The goal of the project is to promote trade, economic growth, and regional integration of the East African countries and enhance the competitiveness of their economies through the modernization of roads and motorway networks. “The transport sector can play an important role in achieving sustainable development,” says Marc Juhel, Director of the World Bank Transport Division.

According to WHO African Region, Nigeria and South Africa have the highest fatality rates.
WHO African Region Countries
Egypt, Eretria, Libya, Morocco, Somalia,
Sudan and Tunisia are not a part of
the WHO African Region.
“Well-designed transport systems can greatly reduce poverty and promote social inclusion by ensuring access to jobs, goods and services. Clean transport will improve the health of billions of urban residents and provide cost effective ways to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions while supporting the strong economic growth that Africa is currently experiencing.”

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), “Strategies that can be adopted by governments to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries due to road traffic accidents include improved road infrastructure, speed limits, compulsory seat belts and child restraints, drink-driving laws, bans on the use of cellphones while driving and legal requirement for motorcyclists to wear helmets.” 

According to WHO African Region, Nigeria and South Africa have the highest fatality rates. Nigeria reports 33.7 percent of deaths per 100, 000 populations per year and South Africa and 31.9 percent of deaths per 100,000 populations per year. More than one in four deaths in the WHO African Region occurs on Nigeria’s roads.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, are responsible for the average 96.8% of all road deaths in the WHO African Region. Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda combine big populations with very high fatality rates, resulting in large numbers of deaths. These seven countries must reduce their road deaths considerably if the WHO African Region is to realize a significant reduction in deaths.

Africa has the highest per capita rate of road deaths in the world. Africa has 2% of the world's vehicles but 16% of road fatalities.

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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African Spirit Tree Test

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Africa boasts a remarkable array of unique trees, each showcasing distinct qualities that set it apart, much like the diverse personalities of people. The majestic Baobab, with its thick trunk and expansive canopy, symbolizes wisdom and resilience, while the vibrant Protea embodies courage and boldness with its striking flowers. Which tree do you resonate with? Are you as wise as the ancient Baobab or as daring as the brilliant Protea? Discover your true spirit by taking this engaging quiz designed to match you with an African tree that reflects your personality. Each tree symbolizes unique characteristics and qualities, so dive in to explore the connection between your spirit and these magnificent natural wonders. Get ready for a fun journey of self-discovery. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You ...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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