Journal of African Development Studies

Determinants of Food Insecurity of Urban Poor Households: Evidence from Selected Major Cities of Ethiopia

Adbaru Tesfaye — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Food insecurity and nutritional problems pose significant challenges for urban poor households in the major cities of Ethiopia. This study focused on the determinants of food in (security) among poor urban households. The objective was to identify and prioritize the factors that influence the food security levels of urban poor households. The study utilized a sample survey with close-ended and open-ended questionnaires, selecting 384 samples through multistage sampling techniques. The unit of analysis was urban households. Data collection instruments included questionnaires and focus group discussions. The researcher also utilized various primary and secondary data sources to support the study. Multiple linear regressions were employed to identify the determinant factors of household food insecurity. The findings of the study showed that the determinant factors for food security among urban households were found to be sex, age, marital status, household dependency, household health status, educational background, and occupational status of the household head. Interestingly, 79% of the poor urban households considered these variables to be highly influential in terms of household food security. The study also emphasized the need for policy interventions in various institutional areas. The institutions play a vital role in providing job opportunities, facilitating access to cooperative markets, ensuring affordable markets for poor urban households, and monitoring market inflation and price increases on consumer goods. By prioritizing the development of these institutions, both regional and federal governments can effectively address food insecurity and improve the livelihoods of poor urban households

Climate Change, Land Conflicts, and Adaptive Strategies among Resettled Communities in the Manantali Dam Area in Mali

Hamadou Amadou Cissé Barry, Abhilash Babu, Mohamadine Asseydou — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The construction of the Manantali dam in the early 1980s in Mali considerably altered the socio-economic and environmental landscape, displacing communities and submerging natural habitats. These displacements led to tensions over land sharing due to population growth and resource scarcity, fostering conflicts between resettled and host villages. Based on semi-structured interviews and direct observations in thirteen villages, this study examines land-related conflicts from the perspective of Cernea's Impoverishment Risk and Reconstruction (IRR) model, focusing on risks such as landlessness and social marginalisation. Forty-five indepth interviews reveal how population density and agricultural migration exacerbate competition for arable land, while traditional and formal conflict resolution mechanisms struggle to resolve disputes effectively. This article provides new perspectives by exploring how strategies for adapting to climate change, such as agroecological practices, influence land conflicts and community resilience. It also criticises governance failures in resettlement planning and advocates participatory approaches to resource management. The findings support policy recommendations for sustainable land governance and community-led adaptation, filling gaps in existing studies on development-induced displacement.

Quality Higher Education for Public Service Reform: Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects

Firdissa Jebessa Aga — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Quality Higher Education is a prime driver for public service and its reform intents. The country’s Higher Education quality has, nonetheless, remained the concern of many stakeholders let alone to properly support the public service reform. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the roles of quality higher education for public service reform by exploring available opportunities, challenges and prospects. A qualitative approach was employed to generate data by reviewing documents; and by conducting- interviews with five purposely selected officials, and -focus group discussions with nine PhD students studying at Addis Ababa University. The results have shown that there are internal and external opportunities for catalysing the role of quality higher education for public services reform by producing knowledgeable, skilful and enlightened workforce and leaders. Internally, Ethiopia has formulated different policies, strategies, frameworks, and roles and responsibilities. Externally, there has been a global renewed enthusiasm for quality higher education brought about by the quest for accountability, interconnectedness, globalization, and networked designs. There, however, are challenges threatening the quality of the sector, including, rapid expansion with unmatched resources, top leadership loose commitment to quality, quantitative driven efforts, some HEIs’ unpreparedness for changes and pressures, and anomalies in board and student assignments to universities. The findings imply that all parties should make concerted efforts to build Higher Education quality assurance system on a sound foundation beyond piecemeal and quantitative gains by putting in place systemic and systematic strategies so that the sector ascertains its role of supporting public service reform for its intent of efficiency, effectiveness, and adding values for money.

A Study of Cultural Competence and Ethnic-Based Bias among Ethiopian Higher Education Instructors

Sonan Daniel, Zerihun Doda — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study was undertaken with the aim of exploring the state of cultural competence and ethnic-based
biases among the faculty and students of two selected public universities in Ethiopia, namely, Addis Ababa
University and Wolaita Sodo University. The study employed a mixed-methods design, with a concurrent
collection of field data using surveys of the faculty and undergraduate students in their second year and
above at the time of the fieldwork. The faculty and the students were randomly selected, with a purposeful
focus on certain colleges and campuses at both universities. Much of the data was collected using
quantitative surveys. Qualitative data collected through interviewing faculty officers, student
representatives, and other relevant stakeholders in academic administration supported the survey. The data
were analyzed using appropriate tools, including SPSS for the surveys and MAXQDA 2022 for the
qualitative data. The findings overall indicate that faculty self-ratings yielded a positive assessment on the
measurement items, while student reports indicated instances of biases based on ethnicity interfering with
academic duties. Both universities lacked robust policy and guidelines on the management of diversity and
dealing with bias arising from a lack of cultural competence and ethnic-based biases. The study concludes
that a positive learning environment cannot be realized without appropriate cultural competence among
the faculty. The study recommends appropriate sensitivity and competence training, clear policies for
reporting and managing biases, and integrating cultural diversity into the curriculum. These can help in
enhancing inclusivity on campus, fighting against ethnic-based biases, and promoting peaceful coexistence
among the university community.

Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Addis Ababa City Administration, Ethiopia

Tigezaw Lamesgin Addis — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change has become a global challenge in ensuring sustainable development and has a significant impact on the lives of human beings, particularly in cities of developing countries. This study explored climate change adaptation measures in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia. A household survey, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and observations were used to acquire data about city adaptation measures. About 376 randomly selected households from two sub cities and four woredas were included in this study. Moreover, reports and published sources were used to acquire secondary data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann- Kendall test while qualitative data was analyzed in narration form. The results indicated that residents perceive an increase in mean annual temperature, extreme hot temperatures, and annual rainfall. The MannKendall test on temperature and rainfall also supports the community's perception. The study results showed that the city has implemented various climate change adaptation measures such as tree planting, drainage system construction, construction of flood defenses/walls, terracing, and safeguarding drainage systems. While tree planting and drainage systems are the most widely used measures. The research results also confirmed that a lack of awareness, financial constraints, limited access to climate information, low support from responsible bodies, and limited decision-making power are barriers faced by the city residents to implementation measures. These barriers, along with the absence of formal housing for many residents, hinder their ability to actively participate in climatesensitive response measures. This study recommends improving awareness, access to information and implementing adaptation measures in a planned and cooperative manner