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.
Tourism at a Tipping Point: Navigating Conservation, Community, and Capital in Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara, a globally renowned safari destination in Kenya, stands at a critical juncture where its unparalleled biodiversity and rich cultural heritage intersect with the burgeoning demands of global tourism. However, this natural jewel now faces mounting pressures: changing climate, wildlife preservation needs, and the difficult balance between economic gains from tourism and the traditional livelihoods of local communities.
A New League of Nations? What a Nairobi Relocation Could Mean for the UN’s Future
As it stands, the global community is witnessing an unprecedented geopolitical recalibration with the United Nations moving a substantial part of its operations from New York to Nairobi, Kenya. Since 1974, Nairobi has long played a pivotal role for the United Nations, after its expansion in the country with the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Bridging the Gap: The Rise of Digital Lending Platforms in East Africa
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms have transformed global shopping, expenditure and credit access patterns. In East Africa, the impact of these platforms is most clearly illustrated by the purchasing power they have unlocked: from financing the purchase of modern-day essentials like airtime and smartphones to enabling the acquisition of solar panels and electric bikes.
The Cost of Corruption: Navigating Risk and Opportunity in East Africa’s Business Landscape
East Africa is rapidly emerging as one of the continent’s most promising economic frontiers. With a young and growing population, increasing urbanization, and regional integration efforts like the East African Community (EAC), the region is attracting attention from global investors seeking growth beyond saturated markets.
Mitumba at a Crossroads: Balancing Trade, Industry and Sustainability in East Africa’s Clothing Sector
Across East Africa, markets like Gikomba in Nairobi and Owino in Kampala hum with early-morning bargaining and the crackle of plastic-wrapped bales of second-hand clothing. Known locally as mitumba, these garments, sourced from donation bins and unsold stock in the Global North, have become indispensable to traders and consumers.
The High-Stakes Game: Inside the Rise, Risks, and Rewards of East Africa’s Exploding Sports Betting Industry
Gambling is no longer just a vice whispered about in backrooms; In East Africa, it has gone digital, mobile, and mainstream. With smartphones in hand and sports on their minds, millions of young people, many from rural areas and fueled by poverty and unemployment, are turning sports betting into a booming industry.
The Great Migration: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of East Africa’s Labour Expatriation
Labour expatriation has become a defining force in East Africa’s economic story. At its best, labour migration fuels economic growth – remittances sustain households, diaspora investment strengthens industries, and cross-border knowledge transfer enriches both home and host economies. However, the steady outflow of human capital leaves gaps in critical sectors, while many migrant workers face weak labour protections, limited bargaining power, and exploitative work conditions.
The End of the Beginning: Kenya’s M-PESA Revolution Enters a New Phase
Starting as a simple tool to transfer money and buy airtime via text messages, Safaricom’s M-PESA ushered in a financial revolution that took all of East Africa by storm. The service has transformed into Kenya’s financial backbone with 59% of the country’s GDP flowing through it, unlocking financial services for millions along the way.
