From Soil to Stability: The Future of Smallholder Farming in East Africa
Agriculture in East Africa is more than an economic activity – it is a way of life. Contributing up to 40% of the region's GDP and employing over 80% of its population, it remains the primary livelihood for millions. Agriculture has not only ensured food security for local communities but also driven export revenues and supported agro-based industries.
Kenya’s Shift in IMF Engagement: Fiscal Freedom or Miscalculation?
Last year, Kenya witnessed widespread protests driven by public discontent over tax hikes, rising living costs, and its government’s economic policies. These demonstrations hinted not-so-subtly at growing frustrations with Kenya’s fiscal management, particularly with its reliance on external debt and the stringent, unforgiving austerity measures linked to International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs.
When Lifelines Become Nooses: East Africa’s Battle Against Predatory Digital Lending
Throughout East Africa, a financial revolution is unfolding, one that promises liberation but too often delivers bondage. East Africa's dramatic surge in digital lending has transformed the financial landscape with remarkable speed, creating a paradoxical reality where access to capital coexists with meticulous exploitation.
Domiciliation of Private Investment Vehicles in East Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Establishing Private Investment Vehicles Across East African Jurisdictions
Private capital funds, or investment vehicles (IVs) – spanning private equity, venture capital, and private debt – play a pivotal role in the region’s economic growth and job creation, especially for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Yet, fund managers and investors often face questions about where best to domicile their vehicles for optimal regulatory compliance, tax efficiency, and investor confidence.
Beyond Consumption: The Investment Potential of Remittances in East Africa
Every month, millions of East Africans receive a familiar, much welcome alert – money sent by a loved one abroad. 'Money sent back home,’ or remittances, are payments sent by migrant workers to their home countries, most often to support family and friends. Remittances are an economic lifeline, covering essential expenses like education, healthcare, and housing. By sustaining households, they contribute to long-term human capital development and economic resilience.
Fragmented Funds, Untapped Futures: East Africa’s Informal Sector Pension Puzzle
The current pension landscape within East Africa can be akin to a small square blanket during a cold winter night – little coverage and unsatisfactory returns. While formal sector workers can access pension schemes, the vast majority employed in the informal sector are excluded, missing out on the benefits of retirement savings and leaving much of the economy untapped for collective resource pooling.
Facing the Fate of a Fiscal Reckoning: An Analysis of Ethiopia’s Debt Restructuring Efforts
Ethiopia’s recent debt restructuring aims to counterbalance mounting economic pressures. Once showing promises of unrelenting growth, Ethiopia's growth domestic product (GDP) slowed to an average of 6% from the 9% growth rates seen in 2017-2019.
Deliverance or Damnation? The Fortunes and Fairytales Found Through Foreign Direct Investment for East Africa’s Economic Development
Given the economic potential of developing economies, foreign direct investment (FDI) is regarded as the private capital inflow of choice, as free capital flows seek the highest return on investment. East Africa is an attractive location for foreign capital inflows as international investors seek new opportunities and markets.
Fight or Flight: Seeking Remedies in Retaining East Africa’s Infrastructure Sovereignty
East Africa’s infrastructure financing is taking a dramatic turn. Once heavily reliant on foreign debt, the region is now drawing interest from Indian conglomerates and Dubai-based firms, signaling a pivot toward diversified strategies. Yet, as the players change, the risks remain the same.
