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Africa: Pet Guardians Are Increasingly Worried About the Mental Health of Their Dogs and Cats

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When it comes to caring for pets, some people worry most about physical health, while others are more concerned about financing potential health problems. But what stands out in a recent survey is that many pet guardians are especially focused on their pets’ emotional well-being, with separation anxiety at the top of the list.
The survey involved 600 pet guardians in the United States. Its results align with recent research highlighting shifts in the ways pets are perceived.
As a researcher who specializes in understanding the impact of the human-animal bond on people’s mental health, I am particularly interested in what these findings reveal about how people’s relationships with their pets shape both human well-being and animals’ welfare.
Paying closer attention to pet guardians’ concerns can help us examine how people’s and pets’ well-being are intertwined. It may also inspire policies more sensitive to the realities of pet guardians, supporting both animals and people.
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
In recent years, some studies have highlighted pet guardians’ growing concerns about pets’ mental health. For example, in one study with almost 45,000 pet guardians, 99 per cent of them described moderate or severe behavioural problems in their dogs, with attachment issues or separation anxiety as the most prevalent issue.
Another study suggests that COVID-19 lockdowns were detrimental to the mental health of some pets, particularly for those who already had symptoms of separation anxiety. During the pandemic, most people spent more time with their dogs, which might have strengthened the bond in some respects, but it also reduced pets’ privacy and safe spaces, which are essential for their emotional regulation.
Many people also decreased dog walks, and in homes with only one pet, these animals no longer had opportunities to socialize with other pets. Also, when pet guardians returned to their regular routines once lockdowns were lifted, the change was a trigger for some pets, and not only for dogs with a history of anxiety-related problems. When animals started to stay home alone again, some had difficulties coping with separation.
Another survey suggests that anxiety has increased significantly in dogs and cats since the pandemic, including fears of strangers, anxiety related to other pets and separation anxiety.
Taken together, these findings highlight the significant impact of the pandemic on pets’ behavioural issues, showing that these changes might have affected pets more than people realized.
People’s and pets’ mental health
While these problems in pets are indeed relevant, it is worth examining why they matter so profoundly for pet guardians, as these concerns may reveal something about the evolving role of the human-animal bond.
There is evidence that people’s vulnerability to emotional stress may have increased in recent years along with increased rates of anxiety, depression and a sense of loneliness.
Looking further, the stigma around mental health issues is decreasing, and people are gradually becoming less uneasy about acknowledging and talking about their emotional struggles.
Poorer mental health in guardians may be associated with more behavioural issues in pets. It is possible that a greater sensitization to mental health issues, combined with a stronger perception of pets as family members and a broader trend toward their humanization, is impacting pet guardians’ concerns about their pets.
Additionally, some studies have shown an association between elevated anxiety in pet guardians and increased fears and anxiety-related behaviours in pets. In this context, these findings might reflect broader changes in how pets are perceived, while also mirroring society’s increasing attention to mental health issues and the interplay between human and pet behaviours.
People’s concerns with pet’s behavioural and emotional problems may also reflect their synchrony with companion animals at a different level. More specifically, the fact that these anxiety-related problems are taken seriously by pet guardians, shows a growing acknowledgement of pets’ emotional needs.
At the same time, many people are willing to seek specialized help, including training, hotels and pet boarding services, which are expanding markets.
Some people have even left their jobs for reasons related to their pets, and 60 per cent would consider doing the same if their job conflicted with their pet-care needs, which may reflect people’s growing motivation to ensure their pets’ well-being.
This finding is aligned with studies showing that the implementation of pet-friendly policies can enhance employees’ well-being and work engagement.
Implications for human, animal well-being
The human-animal bond is evolving, and there is a need to further explore people’s concerns towards their pets. It is also essential to examine how these concerns may be connected with broader issues of pet guardians and their pets, such as attachment, daily routines and shared well-being.
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As outlined in past studies, the relationship with pets may have ups and downs, and sometimes may be a source of stress, which in turn may have negative impacts on the quality of the relationship.
In this regard, chronic stress, along with feelings of insecurity in managing pets’ behavioural issues, may contribute to emotional overload and increased anxiety in pet guardians. Similarly, not responding adequately to pets’ needs can negatively affect their overall welfare.
A deeper understanding of the nature and impacts of pet guardians’ concerns may inform policies designed to support this population. Importantly, recognizing and addressing these concerns is, above all, a way of valuing the pets themselves and the significance of the bond people share with them.
This approach may also support people’s mental health, who may already be exposed to several stressors. In this sense, paying closer attention to pets’ needs may be an essential investment in human mental health and well-being.
Renata Roma, Researcher Associate – Pawsitive Connections Lab, University of Saskatchewan
This article is republished from The Conversation Africa under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Africa: Istanbul to Host 5th Turkish-Africa Economic Forum

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October 8, 2025

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The city of Istanbul will play host to the 5th Turkey-Africa Economic Forum (TABEF), which is scheduled for October 16th -17th, 2025 at Istanbul Congress Centre (ICC) in Turkey.
Hosted by Turkey’s Ministry of Trade and organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) in cooperation with the African Union, the event aims to foster stronger economic ties through investment, trade, and industrial partnerships.
The forum will be graced by the President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Republic of Angola H.E. João Goncalves Lourenço, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals of the African Union, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, President of DEİK, Nail Olpak, Coordinating Chairperson of DEİK/Türkiye-Africa Business Councils Fuat Tosyali, Acting Chairperson of African Business Council (AfBC) Dr. Amany Asfour, as well as H.E. First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Ministers of Economy, Trade and Finance from various African countries.
The event is expected to attract participants including Heads of State, ministers, and business leaders from both regions, as it looks forward to discuss crucial areas pertinent to the development of both sides notably; agriculture, digital infrastructure, and textiles, among a host of others.
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The theme for this year’s forum is “Leveraging Türkiye-Africa Relations for Mutual Gains”.
Overview
Launched in line with the decisions adopted during the Second Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in November 2014, TABEF is a biennial event initiated since 2016.
Besides, TABEF aims to analyse the commercial and economic relations between Türkiye and African countries, assess Türkiye’s investment approach toward the continent, and enhance interactions between business communities. It also seeks to initiate dialogue between Turkish investors, the African Union (AU), and regional economic communities in order to reinforce investment ties between Türkiye and Africa.
In addition, it provides a valuable platform for leading public and private sector representatives from both Türkiye and Africa to share their experiences and policy recommendations for developing the private sector and fostering innovation-based Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye and the African Union Commission are committed to enhancing cooperation opportunities through the success of this forthcoming forum to be held in Istanbul.
Thus, the event will focus on priority economic sectors in their bid to jointly address challenges, while identifying opportunities to establish stronger economic partnerships between Türkiye and African countries–always with a view to shared interests.
Agriculture being a dominant sector for most African countries, the delegates at the forum are urge to capitalise on the existing opportunities to spur investment opportunities for increased growth in the sector.
Other priority areas like artificial intelligence, defense, and digital and data infrastructure and automotive industry among a host of others, will also take centre stage.
In essence, TABEF seeks to offer a vital opportunity to develop innovative and win-win project partnerships, allowing Türkiye and Africa to emerge as indispensable global partners through effective investment incentives that support foreign direct investment (FDI) and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Stronger collaboration in agro-industry, healthcare, and tourism holds the promise of advancing mutual prosperity and fostering economic diversification. In this respect, TABEF will play a key role in highlighting innovative approaches, policies, and initiatives that can unlock the partnership potential between Türkiye and Africa and lead to inclusive growth and shared welfare.
Furthermore, by encouraging knowledge-sharing between the parties, the Forum will contribute to the establishment of stronger and long-lasting partnerships.
The event will also feature panel session on key thematic areas notably; B2B Meetings, B2G Sessions as well as sessions on Türkiye-Africa Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Dialogue.
Turkey-Africa Trade and Economic Relations
In order to assess the current stage of Turkey’s relations with African countries and to identify additional ways and means to further advance them, the First Türkiye-Africa Cooperation Summit was held in Istanbul on 18-21 August 2008 with the participation of 49 African countries and representatives of 11 international and regional organisations, including the African Union. This led to the formation of “Istanbul Declaration on Türkiye-Africa Cooperation: Partnership and Solidarity for a Common Future” and the “Framework for Cooperation for Türkiye-Africa Partnership” adopted at the Summit provided a sustainable structure for Türkiye-Africa relations.
In recent years, Türkiye’s relations with Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have gained remarkable momentum. Initiated in 1998, accelerated by Türkiye’s observer membership to the African Union in 2005, and reinforced when Türkiye was declared a strategic partner of the African Union in 2008, the multi-dimensional Opening to Africa Policy achieved significant progress in political, economic, cultural, security, and development fields. This policy was successfully completed and was replaced in 2013 by the Africa Partnership Policy.
Economic ties have expanded rapidly over the last two decades. The Türkiye-Africa trade volume rose from USD 5.4 billion in 2003 to USD 40.7 billion by the end of 2022. In 2024, the trade volume stood at around USD 36.5 billion, with exports amounting to USD 21.8 billion and imports to USD 15 billion. Key partners on the continent include Egypt, Algeria, Libya, South Africa, and Nigeria. As of today, Türkiye has Free Trade Agreements in force with Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Mauritius. The FTA with Sudan is expected to enter into force following the completion of internal ratification procedures, while negotiations with Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Libya are ongoing.
The backbone of Türkiye’s steadily growing bilateral relations with African countries since 2003 has been the Strategy for the Development of Commercial and Economic Relations with Africa. This Strategy was updated at the Second Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit in Malabo in 2014 to reflect the continent’s evolving needs. At the Third Summit held in Istanbul in 2021, the 2022-2026 Joint Action Plan was adopted. The main objectives of the Strategy are to increase Türkiye’s direct investments in Africa, create more job opportunities, and foster a conducive environment for the continent’s economic development.
As of today, Türkiye’s direct investment stock in Africa has exceeded USD 10 billion. Turkish contractors have undertaken more than 2,000 projects across the continent, with a total value approaching USD 97 billion. Türkiye’s diplomatic presence in Africa has grown from 12 embassies in 2002 to 44 embassies today. Turkish Airlines currently operates flights to 51 destinations in 39 African countries. In addition, institutions such as TİKA, the Maarif Foundation, and the Yunus Emre Institute are actively engaged across the continent in education, cultural exchange, and development cooperation.
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The foundation of Türkiye’s Africa vision is based on the principles of equal partnership, mutual benefit, and sustainable development. The 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF 2025) to be held in Istanbul in October 2025 will provide a critical platform to advance trade, investment, and development dimensions of our partnership. Furthermore, the 4th Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit, to be convened in Africa in 2026, is expected to raise the trade volume beyond USD 45 billion, finalise new Free Trade Agreements, and establish a broader and more inclusive basis for economic cooperation across the continent.
Why Attend
The Forum will be an excellent opportunity to update the current relations among the business people of participating countries and set new targets for the further development of our economic, commercial and business partnerships.
It will greatly help in expanding one’s business and discover trade & business opportunities.
“It will also help introduce one’s company and projects, products & services; meet prospective partners and generate international exposure for your brand; establish relationships with Turkish investors, suppliers & contractors; connect with new buyers & distributors from Africa; engage with international media thus allowing access to major projects and financial instruments.”
Salam Financial Service staff participate in ‘Walk for Health’
Read the original article on The Point.
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Africa: Kenya's M-Kopa Turns Profit After a Decade of Expansion Across Africa

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October 8, 2025

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TLDR
Kenyan asset-financing startup M-KOPA has reported its first-ever profit after more than a decade of operations across Africa.
The Nairobi-based company posted a KES 1.2 billion ($9.2 million) profit in 2024, reversing a KES 3.2 billion ($24.7 million) loss in 2023, according to filings in the UK. Revenue surged 66% to KES 53.7 billion ($416 million), driven by higher demand for smartphones and digital financial services.
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Founded in 2011 to provide solar home systems on credit, M-KOPA has since evolved into a digital finance platform offering smartphones, loans, and insurance to millions of customers in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana.
The company credited its turnaround to top-line growth, tighter cost control, stronger credit underwriting, and better portfolio management. M-KOPA’s smartphone financing partnerships with Samsung and Nokia, coupled with a local assembly plant in Nairobi, have become major revenue drivers.
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Key Takeaways
M-KOPA’s return to profitability marks a defining moment for Africa’s pay-as-you-go and digital credit ecosystem. Long seen as a test case for inclusive asset financing, the company’s success demonstrates how fintechs can achieve both scale and sustainability amid tighter funding conditions. As global investors push African startups to prioritize profitability over growth, M-KOPA’s performance provides a potential blueprint — combining alternative data for credit scoring, disciplined cost management, and product diversification. Its smartphone-led lending model has strengthened cross-selling opportunities in cash loans and micro-insurance, while building customer loyalty in frontier markets. With over $250 million raised from investors such as Generation Investment Management, Lightrock, and British International Investment, M-KOPA’s profit milestone could reset investor sentiment toward Africa’s fintech and BNPL sectors, proving that large-scale, impact-driven finance models can deliver real returns.
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Read the original article on Daba Finance.
AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.
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Africa: Governor Sanwo-Olu Excited As Lagos Becomes First African City to Host E1 Electric Powerboat Race

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October 8, 2025

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“By joining cities like Monaco, London, and Venice on the E1 calendar, Lagos has once again shown that we are bold, resilient, and ready to take our place on the global stage,” the govenor said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday evening hailed the city’s debut as the first African host of the E1 electric powerboat race, the E1 Lagos GP, describing it as a milestone in clean energy, innovation, and youth empowerment.
In a post on X, Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked President Bola Tinubu for his goodwill message and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainability and the blue economy.
“By joining cities like Monaco, London, and Venice on the E1 calendar, Lagos has once again shown that we are bold, resilient, and ready to take our place on the global stage,” he said.
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The championship, which comes to an end on Sunday at the Victoria Island Lagoon, began Friday with a vibrant boat regatta showcasing the beauty of Lagos’ waterways.
Saturday featured qualifying trials and high-speed races, during which competitors demonstrated skill, precision, and teamwork.
“Lagos truly shone as we hosted the world with warmth, pride, and excitement. I’m proud of everyone who helped make this event a success and of the amazing Lagosians who came out to support,” the governor said.
Speaking at the African Blue Economy Summit recently, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised the city’s ambition to leverage its waterways for jobs, innovation, transport, and climate resilience.
“Hosting the E1 Lagos GP has shown how water can inspire sport, entertainment, and big ideas in technology and sustainability,” he said, noting ongoing investments in maritime infrastructure and water transport.
In a thrilling qualifying session, Team Rafa, owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, secured pole position ahead of Team Brady and Aoki Racing. The result lifted Team Rafa to the top of the overall standings with 136 points, one ahead of Team Brady on 135, while Aoki Racing followed with 125 points.
Additionally, Team Brazil, sponsored by Claure Group, earned 51 points. Other standings include Team Blue Rising (114), Westbrook Racing (82), Team Alula (LeBron James, 79), Team Drogba Global Africa (66), and Team Miami (32).
E1 founder and CEO Rodi Basso hailed the Lagos round as a defining moment for motorsport in Africa and for the championship’s global expansion.
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He said, “The warm welcome in Lagos has been incredible. The passion of Nigerians made this historic E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank possible.
“Our ambition is to build a motorsport legacy in Africa. This weekend’s race is just the beginning, and today’s qualifying offered a thrilling preview of race day.”
Thousands of fans are expected at the Marina waterfront on Sunday as excitement builds across Lagos.
African football legend Didier Drogba and partner Gabrielle Lemaire, instrumental in bringing the E1 Series to Africa, will attend to support Team Drogba Global Africa.
The E1 Series, sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), is the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship. Launched in 2024, it features hydrofoil-equipped RaceBirds that can reach speeds of up to 50 knots while reducing environmental impact.
The 2025 season includes cities such as Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami, with Lagos marking Africa’s first appearance.
The event has attracted celebrity-backed teams, including Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, Steve Aoki, Virat Kohli, and Will Smith.
Highlights of the Lagos GP, including thrilling near-flips and high-speed manoeuvres, are available here: E1 Lagos GP 2025: Team Brady’s Near Flip Shocks the Crowd.
Read the original article on Premium Times.
AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.
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