Africa Factbook

African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000. The Act offers incentives to African countries who continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets. The former Kingdom of Swaziland, renamed Eswatini is reportedly not holding up its end of the bargain of the AGOA. Eswatini capital, Mbabane, lies at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley. The landlocked Kingdom of Eswatini is surrounded by South Africa but on the east shares a small border with Mozambique. Eswatini is the smallest country in the African southern hemisphere and is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey. The threat of Eswatini being suspended from a US preferential trade agreement for poor progress in meeting democratic norms is threatening the means of support for an extensive number workers in the Kingdom where unemployment is 47%. Swaziland Protest seen outside the Savoy Hotel The African Growth a

Gesho Plant in Africa Used For Food Firewood Money and Medicine. Gesho plant is highly valued in rural Africa growing in parts of Kenya, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Cameroon, Zaire, Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda. Rhamnus prinoides or gesho plant is an indispensable plant for the rural African community. Gesho plant was discovered in 1788 is also known as Dogwood or Shiny Leaf in English, Blinkblaar in Afrikaans, umGlindi in Xhosa, Musvosvadziva in Shona, umNyenye in Zulu and gesho in Amharic. The African dogwood is a dense shrub or a small tree with glossy foliage and decorative red and purple berries, the tree is no relation of the American and Asian dogwoods. Gesho is a versatile plant used for food, firewood, wages and medicine. Gesho grows bordering forest and at high elevations. The fruits, roots and leaves are utilized, no part of the Gesho is wasted. The leaves stems and branch are used to brew

Ethiopian Buna Coffee Ceremony. I  The process of preparing Ethiopian Buna Coffee Ceremony is long, this is why coffee is enjoyed in a group settings.  Gathering for Ethiopian Coffee is a time of socialization, a time to be together and to talk for women. How To Make Ethiopian Coffee At Home The Ethiopian Coffee may be prepared three times in one day for various reasons including a meal. There is a time to share Buna with family, a time to drink Buna with other women and for breakfast or dinner and may include immediate family, including male members. Coffee in Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia, is Buna. Buna is also the name of the coffee ceremony conducted by Ethiopian women.  The host clothing should be a traditional Ethiopian dresses when preparing the ceremony.  When a man prepares Buna he is questioned regarding his masculinity however there are a few exceptions to this rule.  The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a ritual that the women of Ethiopia have partici

How to Make Shito Ghanaian Pepper Hot Sauce Hot Sauce, Pepper Sauce Recipe Shito Ghanaian pepper sauce and hot sauce is a favorite condiment to serve with any number of American and African dishes. Shito Ghanaian pepper sauce and hot sauce is enjoyed with vegetables, fish, meat or poultry, it is also ideal with yams recipes, green plantains, and potatoes. In other words, Shito Ghanaian pepper sauce and hot sauce is perfect for just about any food dish. Shito is the best artisan small-batch hot pepper sauce you will ever make. Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture 6-9-2010 How to Make Shito Ghanaian Pepper Sauce African recipes by African Gourmet Shito Ghanaian pepper sauce is made with hot peppers, shrimp, fish, tomato paste and seasonings to create Ghana’s most beloved hot sauce. Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 15 min Total time: 2 5 min Ingredients: 2 cups tomato puree 10 dried h

Madagascar plant life is rich, Madagascar's forests are home to unique plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. However, 3 acres of Madagascar's forests are lost on Africa’s largest island a year. Madagascar Unique Forests are in Danger In Africa Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture Madagascar is important to the environment of the world. Isolated for 60 million years, Madagascar’s ecosystem is a treasure trove of unique and often unusual animals and plants.   More than 80 percent of Madagascar Island’s amazing vegetation and wildlife appear nowhere else in the world.   Losing around 3 acres of forest in Madagascar has a greater impact on global biodiversity than losing 3 acres of forest anywhere else on Earth. Madagascar is important to the environment of the world. Because of 80 percent of the Malagasy population depends on making their living through subsistence agriculture, Madagascar’s forests are in danger. Using slash-and-burn cultiva

Plantains are a major food staple in many regions of Africa. Plantains are typically eaten cooked and boiled plantains are easy to prepare.  Salted Boiled Plantains. Many plantain recipes call for frying, but this method increases the calorie content. Salted Boiled Plantains. Ingredients 2 green large plantains Water for boiling Spices of your choice Directions In a large pot of salted boiling water or vegetable broth carefully drop washed stemmed unpeeled plantains in boiling water. Cook for 15- 20 minutes until tender. Peel before serving and sprinkle with salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper or any spice of your choice.  About plantains. Plantains look like a larger version of a banana but have thicker peels and starchier fruit. Plantains are often used in African cooking and are a major food staple in many regions of Africa. More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again. Curried Tanzani