Invasive species cost Africa $3.5tn a year – study

New research says invasive species of weeds, insects and worms are costing Africa more than $3.5tn (£2.5tn) every year.

Researchers based in Ghana, Kenya, Britain and Switzerland have highlighted the catastrophic effects of species introduced by human activity.

Nigeria, where losses are estimated at a trillion dollars a year, is much the worst affected country.

The majority of the costs are from weeding – work primarily carried out by women and children – but the damage caused by insects is estimated at almost $40bn.

The research authors noted that the findings may be underestimating the true cost of invasive species to Africa’s agriculture – as they did not consider the costs of herbicides for disease and pest control

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