The Pen and the People: East Africa’s Literary Legacy
From folktales passed around firesides to novels that have reshaped global publishing, African literature has always been about more than art but rather a way of making sense of who we as Africans are and how we are perceived by others. Equally important are the systems put in place to support these voices.
Blocks of Progress: Blockchain’s Quiet Revolution in East Africa
Often wrongly perceived as a cryptocurrency gimmick, blockchain’s decentralised, tamper-proof architecture is quietly transforming East Africa’s agriculture, healthcare, governance, and finance systems. Slowly but surely, blockchain has the potential to be a cornerstone of the region’s development.
Preventable but Persistent: The Fight to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in East Africa
In East Africa, a silent killer continues to claim the lives of thousands of women every year. Cervical cancer accounts for 40% of all cancer diagnoses in women in this region, and In Kenya, cervical cancer is the most common cancer death among women. Cervical cancer is largely preventable. Around 95% of cervical cancers are caused by the persistent untreated infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.
Bridging the Climate Gap: Reconciling Global Commitments and Local Realities in East Africa through COP 30
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, is anticipated to be a critical event for climate action. COP 30 proves to be a relevant event for East African countries which have been riddled with various negative consequences as a result of global warming.
Beyond Words: Languages and Culture, and their Preservation in Africa
Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent on Earth. With over 2,000 languages and dialects, the continent is home to a significant portion of the world’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Unfortunately, the survival of this collection of linguistic and cultural wealth, is threatened by globalisation, the marginalisation of minority communities, and regional assimilation efforts.
Data of the People: Methodical Approaches to Uganda's 2026 Elections
As Uganda prepares for its general elections scheduled for January 2026, the nation stands at a crossroads where data science could either strengthen democratic institutions or deepen existing divisions. The difference lies not in the abundance of numbers, but in the rigour with which data is collected, analysed, and interpreted.
From Silos to Scale: How Cross-Border Capital Markets Could Shape East Africa’s Financial Future
A thriving financial future for East Africa is not a distant dream; It could be what we build today. East Africa’s combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) presently stands at around $512 billion. Kenya leads at $131.7 billion, and Ethiopia follows closely at $117.5 billion. However, capital markets in the region remain microscopic.
When Help Hurts: Medical Exploitation and Distrust in East Africa
Medical mistrust is a lack of confidence in healthcare systems, professionals, and research, often rooted in fear that these systems may not act in a person’s best interest. This mistrust arises from real experiences of discrimination, neglect, and unethical practices. While the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in the U.S. is a well-known example, East Africa also faces its own history of medical exploitation. Colonial abuses, exclusion from healthcare decisions, and violations of consent have deepened scepticism.
Promise, Power, and Protest: Considerations of the EACOP Pipeline in East Africa
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,443-kilometre heated pipeline, is a flagship infrastructure undertaking, aiming to transport up to 246,000 barrels of oil per day. As of mid-2025, the project is over 60% complete, with the first drops of crude oil expected to flow in 2026. Yet, beneath its promise lies a battleground of competing interests – economic growth, environmental protection, human rights, and national sovereignty.
