U.S. investors tend to ignore Africa because of its historic poverty. But Africa has the world’s fastest growing population. China has invested heavily in Africa.
Women who control their own fertility often have smaller and more prosperous families. Africa will become a major export market if the growing population becomes able to afford goods and services. This could have a Macro impact on American business in the mid-term future as well as an impact on resource usage and population migration.
More Women in Africa Are Using Long-Acting Contraception, Changing Lives
Methods such as hormonal implants and injections are reaching remote areas, providing more discretion and autonomy.
By Stephanie Nolen, The New York Times, June 17, 2024
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Women in sub-Saharan Africa have the world’s lowest rate of access to contraception: Just 26 percent of women of reproductive age in the region are using a modern contraceptive method …
But that is changing as more women have been able to get methods that give them a fast, affordable and discreet boost of reproductive autonomy. Over the past decade, the number of women in the region using modern contraception has nearly doubled to 66 million…
Women from the country’s large Muslim minority appreciate [long-acting injections and hormone] implants and IUDs for their discretion, which allows them to space their pregnancies without openly challenging husbands who want them to have a lot of children…
Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s youngest and fastest growing population; it is projected to nearly double, to 2.5 billion people, by 2050…
Most governments in Africa left [access to family planning] out of their own budgets even though it delivered enormous gains for women’s health, educational levels, economic participation and well-being…
The good news is that prices for the newer contraceptives have fallen dramatically over the last 15 years, thanks in part to promises of huge bulk orders brokered by the Gates Foundation, which bet big on the idea that the long-acting methods would appeal to many women in sub-Saharan Africa. … [end quote]
There’s a long way to go before every African woman is educated about family planning and has access to culturally-appropriate, affordable contraceptives. The products are not new but access needs to be improved.
Wendy