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Transforming e-participatory budgeting with blockchain : boosting transparency and citizen engagement
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2025-04) Ibrahimy, Mohammad Mustafa; Norta, Alex; Normak, Peeter; Nowandish, Hadi
Integrating blockchain technology into the public sector promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in e-government services. This study discovers key challenges of the e-participatory budgeting (e-PB) model in Estonia using an exploratory case study research method in software engineering. We conducted semistructured interviews with 16 participants, including local government officials from multiple Estonian municipalities, e-democracy experts, citizens, and IT and/or participatory budgeting (PB) project managers, using a snowball-purpose sampling technique. The study highlights the main issues in existing e-PB systems, such as lack of public deliberation, inadequate tracking of PB funds, low citizen participation, transparency issues, data manipulation risks, and inclusivity concerns. Our findings indicate that the core attributes of blockchain, including decentralization, immutability, traceability, and disintermediation, mitigate these issues. These intrinsic characteristics of blockchain prevent data manipulation risks, facilitate tracking of the status and budget of the PB project, and ensure equal participation, thus fostering citizen trust in the e-PB system. We propose a conceptual model of blockchain-based e-PB that unifies multiple e-PB systems into a single platform. Finally, we discuss the practical implications for engineering managers and policymakers who integrate blockchain-based solutions into e-governance systems.
Preliminary characterisation of the Thaumatococcus daniellii fruit as a potential biomass source for biorefinery
(Springer, 2025) Elango, Lena Yoh Ekaney; Langmi, Henrietta Wakuna; Beckley, Victorine Namondo; Etape, Ekane Peter; Akoachere, Jane-Francis; Foba-Tendo, Josepha
The inherent variability of biomass composition and structure, as well as the increased trends towards blending of biomass feedstock for energy, chemicals and materials, requires the systematic characterisation of biomass from both established and new sources. The high-value sweet protein thaumatin is produced from Thaumatococcus daniellii (T.d) fruit, native to West Africa, leaving about 90% of the fruit as waste. In this study, the proximate, ultimate, compositional and thermochemical characterisation of T.d fruit pulp and seeds, are determined, with a view to establishing the potential for a T.d biorefinery platform. Extractives content was determined through ethanol soxhlet extraction; cellulose, lignin and pectin contents by alkali hydrolysis, Klason method and acid hydrolysis respectively; while the thermochemical properties were determined by FTIR, EA, EDS and TGA. The proximate composition for pulp and seed biomass, respectively were; ash 17.47%/11.64%, moisture 16.29%/9.56%, fixed carbon 12.5/14.2%, extractives 15.7/3.4%, cellulose 25.34/26.82%, hemicellulose 21.61/15.89%, lignin 10.75/18.20%, pectin14.78/20.85%; elemental composition; C 34.27%/43.09%, H 4.7%/5.72%, N 1.08%/2.16% S 0.33%/ 0.15%, O 59.62%/48.88%. Analyses of the Thaumatococcus daniellii pulp and seed biomass samples revealed a relatively low lignin content, and high pectin and ash content. These characteristics indicate their potential as feedstock for low to medium value products such as pectin, cellulose and mineral-rich biochar. The potential for the recovery of a wide range of low to high value products from this biomass merits its consideration for a biorefinery platform. This should increase the economic value of this local plant while simultaneously alleviating pollution problems.
Ensuring equal and inclusive rights to access sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls with disabilities in Africa
(Brill Academic Publishers, 2025) Nkomo, Sindiso Nozitha; Durojaye, Ebenezer; ebenezer.durojaye@up.ac.za
In many African societies, access to sexual and reproductive health care services for adolescent girls remains very problematic. This is due to a number of reasons including socio-cultural factors, influence of religion, negative attitudes of health care providers and legal and policy barriers. The situation is further compounded for adolescent girls with disabilities as many of them are perceived as asexual and cannot make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Unfortunately, laws and policies related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescent girls with disabilities tend to exclude their views, reinforcing stigma and discrimination against them. Using the substantive equality and inclusivity lens, this article argues that if adolescent girls with disabilities are to live a fulfilling and healthy life, they must have access to sexual and reproductive health services on an equal basis with others. More importantly, laws and policies to address gaps in access to SRHR services for adolescent girls with disabilities must adhere to rights-based principles such as respect for dignity, non-discrimination, participation and accountability which are entrenched in different human rights instruments. Drawing exemplars from across the region, the paper notes that these human rights instruments require African governments among other things to remove different barriers to access to SRHR services for adolescent girls with disabilities.
Enhancing financial inclusion and entrepreneurship drive in Africa : do digital technologies matter?
(Wiley, 2025-09) Mathibe, Motshedisi Sina; Oppong, Clement
The study investigates the use of digital technologies in promoting entrepreneurship and financial inclusion (FI) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Employing an exploratory and quantitative design, the research utilises a longitudinal dataset spanning 2016–2023, aligning with the UN SDGs implementation. Secondary data from 30 SSA nations were analysed, based on specific inclusion criteria and data availability, to examine the interplay between FI, digital technologies (DT), and entrepreneurship. A Pooled OLS regression model was used to assess the impact of digital technologies on FI and entrepreneurial drive in Africa. Recognising potential limitations of the pooled OLS model, including omitted variable bias and specification error, the GMM was applied as a robust check. Modern financial services like mobile banking, fintech solutions, and digital platforms significantly enhance FI and entrepreneurship success in underdeveloped regions. The study stressed the need for diverse financial products, regulations, and policies tailored to varying socio-economic backgrounds. The research contributes to existing literature by exploring how customer-centric innovations and stakeholder collaboration can sustainably promote FI, entrepreneurship, the achievement of SDGs, and economic growth in Africa.
Working at Cross-PURPOSEs to ending HIV
(Massachusetts Medical Society, 2025-04) Gray, Glenda E.; Venter, Willem Daniel Francois
No abstract available.