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.
Buying Restored Time: Un-Jamming Kenya's Traffic Gridlock
Time is undeniably the most valuable asset a person can possess. We dedicate our lives to maximising its use, often caught in the paradox of striving to create more time while inevitably watching it slip away. One of the greatest consumers of time is traffic congestion. Nairobi, ranks among the most congested cities in the world with daily commutes averaging over 1 hour.
A Fall from Grace? The Unraveling of Makerere University
On the proverbial mantle of prestige, Makerere stands firm but seems to gather dust while sister universities contend and surpass its glory. Founded in 1922 as a technical school, Uganda's flagship institution has been a hub not only for Ugandans, but Africans to flock in search of quality education. Uganda’s education sector, modelled upon the British system, was one of the best in Africa until the early 1990s.
A Borderless Africa Beckons: Transforming Regional Integration through Visa Reform
African leaders have flirted with the idea of letting citizens move freely across the continent for years – some even daring to dream of a single African passport. However, the vision has often been easier to discuss than to implement. Some African countries have taken bold steps toward ‘borderless travel’ - turning talk into action in a way that could boost intracontinental trade.
Powering Progress: The Potential for Cross-Border Energy Trade in East Africa
East African nations continue to strive for better economic performance and increased citizen well-being, endeavouring to address major socioeconomic challenges that have gripped the region for decades. While improvements have been made, with Kenya, Mozambique and Rwanda all experiencing gains on the human well-being index since 2000, systemic shortcomings hinder technological advancement and impede quality of life.
Aid-less Future? How USAID Cuts are Reshaping the Greater East Africa
The aid sector has been rattled to its core facing increasing pressure from the United States move towards cutting down government expenses by decreasing their foreign aid spending. It began with a 90-day pause on all US foreign aid a day after President Trump’s inauguration to office when an audit of the expenses was called for.
Rwanda’s Healthcare Revolution: A Blueprint for Universal Coverage in Africa
Imagine needing urgent medical care but hesitating because of the cost. For millions around the world, this is a harsh reality—but in Rwanda, things are different. Before the 1999 reforms, healthcare was largely inaccessible and unaffordable for many. In the wake of the 1994 genocide, the country faced immense challenges, yet it emerged with a vision: healthcare for all.
Raise and Return: The Increasing Role of Venture Studios in East Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
East Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape is at a crossroads. Despite a growing youth population, abundant resources, and rapid technological advancements, many promising startups still struggle to scale. East Africa’s startup field has established itself as a leading hub for innovation, with fintech, agritech, and healthcare sectors leading the charge and attracting one-third of Africa’s total startup funding in 2024.
Unlocking East Africa's Potential: The Transformative Role of Vocational Training
In Kenya’s bustling Gikomba Market, thousands of artisans hammer, stitch, and weld daily - yet 83% of them are locked out of formal employment. Across East Africa, the informal sector dominates, employing millions while offering limited paths to economic stability. This disparity reveals a critical challenge: how do we close the gap between mere survival and prosperity?
