Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
Smallholder farmers often rely on traditional knowledge rather than timely forecasts, exposing them to avoidable losses. SMS-based localized forecast services and climate advisory platforms could improve resilience.
climate-environment
africa
climate
african
agriculture
lacks
widespread
access
reliable
weather
information
smallholder
global-unspecified
society-governance
methods
improve
institutional
technology-computing
Mortgage products often require formal employment and high down payments that many cannot meet, pushing families into informal housing. Micro-mortgage products and cooperative housing finance could extend access.
economics-resources
africa
housing
access
finance
affordable
limited
low-income
households
products
mortgage
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
african
informal
remains
low
Low salaries, limited research funding, and weak infrastructure drive academics to migrate abroad. Diaspora-linked visiting-professor programs and research-grant platforms could strengthen retention.
social-civic-problems
africa
african
higher-education
institutions
struggle
retain
top
faculty
low
salaries
limited
global-unspecified
remains
technology-computing
society-governance
access
systems
Wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers are often unaffordable or unavailable, restricting mobility and employment. Local manufacturing and inclusive design startups could expand access.
economics-resources
africa
access
assistive
technologies
people
disabilities
remains
extremely
limited
wheelchairs
global-unspecified
african
social-civic-problems
low
affordable
inclusive
whether
Business owners may have smartphones but lack skills to use accounting, marketing, and inventory apps effectively. Tailored digital-skills training bundled with tools could improve adoption.
technology-computing
africa
digital
tools
african
smes
struggle
adopt
due
low
literacy
business
global-unspecified
remains
lack
whether
access
Fragmented grids and regulatory regimes prevent efficient sharing of electricity between countries, leading to supply imbalances. Harmonized regulations and cross-border transmission projects could unlock benefits.
local-regional
africa
countries
regional
power-pool
integration
african
progressing
slowly
fragmented
grids
regulatory
global-unspecified
asia
remains
society-governance
access
Fruit, vegetables, and fish often spoil before reaching international markets due to temperature breaks along the supply chain. Investment in integrated cold-chain infrastructure and IoT monitoring could reduce losses.
economics-resources
africa
supply-chain
cold-chain
logistics
perishable
exports
remain
underdeveloped
fruit
vegetables
fish
african
global-unspecified
cold
chain
local-regional
vaccines
Millions of workers in transport, delivery, and informal retail have no protection against accidents or income shocks. Micro-insurance products linked to daily transactions could extend coverage.
economics-resources
africa
products
informal
workers
insurance
african
gig-economy
participants
rare
millions
transport
settlements
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
local
climate-environment
might
Research outputs rarely translate into commercial products due to weak collaboration structures. Joint R&D centers and innovation clusters could bridge this gap.
society-governance
africa
innovation
african
ecosystems
often
lack
strong
links
between
universities
industry
remains
global-unspecified
research
lag
technology-computing
mathematics-logic
People with disabilities and the elderly struggle to use buses and trains due to design and boarding barriers. Inclusive transport design standards and retrofitting funds could enhance accessibility.
society-governance
africa
public-transport
transport
accessibility
african
public
systems
frequently
lack
features
design
people
social-civic-problems
inclusive
global-unspecified
access
technology-computing
High-pressure startup environments with little support contribute to burnout and depression. Peer-support networks and confidential counseling services for founders could improve wellbeing.
climate-environment
africa
support
access
mental-health
entrepreneurs
limited
high-pressure
startup
environments
little
global-unspecified
african
remains
low
society-governance
economics-resources
lack
Students learn science mostly from textbooks without experiments, weakening STEM skills. Low-cost lab kits and mobile science vans could bring hands-on learning to rural schools.
social-civic-problems
africa
science
rural
schools
lab
african
lack
access
equipment
students
learn
remains
global-unspecified
urban
low
Owning machinery is too expensive, and rental markets are fragmented and unreliable. Uber-style machinery-sharing platforms could increase mechanization at lower cost.
economics-resources
africa
mechanization
african
farmers
have
limited
access
services
owning
machinery
too
global-unspecified
remains
lack
technology-computing
low
urban
Diaspora members interested in supporting ventures back home struggle to find vetted opportunities. Curated diaspora investment platforms with transparent due diligence could mobilize capital.
economics-resources
africa
diaspora
investment
african
local
startups
constrained
information
trust
gaps
members
technology-computing
reducing
transfer
communities
global-unspecified
remains
Lack of formal addresses complicates delivery, emergency response, and financial inclusion. Digital addressing using GPS and community verification could solve this efficiently.
technology-computing
africa
reliable
address
systems
missing
african
cities
rural
areas
lack
formal
society-governance
digital
global-unspecified
access
urban
Paper-based evidence tracking increases the risk of loss and delays case resolution. Secure digital evidence registries could improve judicial efficiency.
technology-computing
africa
digital
african
courts
lack
evidence-management
systems
evidence
paper-based
tracking
increases
society-governance
global-unspecified
whether
low
Many cannot afford lawyers or are unaware of their rights in disputes with landlords, employers, or authorities. Mobile legal-aid apps and pro-bono networks could expand access.
society-governance
africa
access
legal
aid
low-income
africans
remains
highly
limited
cannot
afford
global-unspecified
african
low
lack
affordable
health-biology
Complex, costly certification processes exclude many potential exporters. Shared certification centers and digital compliance tools could lower the barrier.
technology-computing
africa
certification
african
agribusinesses
struggle
meet
stringent
export
standards
complex
costly
global-unspecified
lack
digital
informal
quality
access
First 1,000-day programs that improve long-term outcomes are not widely available. Community-based early-childhood centers with nutrition and parenting support could fill the gap.
social-civic-problems
africa
early-childhood
access
quality
interventions
vulnerable
african
children
sparse
first
000-day
low
global-unspecified
improve
society-governance
remains
Overfishing and climate shocks leave fishers economically exposed without alternative income sources. Blue-economy entrepreneurship programs could create new coastal jobs.
economics-resources
africa
coastal
african
communities
lack
diversified
livelihoods
beyond
fishing
overfishing
climate
climate-environment
global-unspecified
protection
