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.
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.
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.
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.
Tanzania’s Gender Bond: A New Era for Impact Financing in East Africa
The African Development Bank’s article on affirmative finance action in Africa placed the disparity in the financing gap facing women in Africa at $41 billion – a damning figure. While the female entrepreneurship rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 25.9%, three-fourths of women on the continent remain financially excluded. In a bid to contest this trend, enters Tanzania’s Jasiri Bond – the first gender bond issued in sub-Saharan Africa.
Unlocking Regional Liquidity: Emerging Opportunities in East Africa’s Public and Private Capital Markets
This report examines the current state and prospects of public and private capital markets in East Africa. It highlights the historical development of the markets in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, analyses their performance and identifies key trends hampering their continued growth.
East Africa’s Growth & Investment Landscape: A Look at 2024’s Third Quarter for the Region’s Biggest Players
With the projected growth acceleration of 1.6% points in 2024 from 3.5% in 2023, East African countries have positive forecasts for their economic growth. In particular, four economies – Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – already account for around 84% of the region’s output.
East Africa’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy: Crafting National AI Strategies for the Region in the Face of the Global Tech Revolution
Over 90% of artificial intelligence (AI) research is from North America, Europe, and China, with less than 5% coming from Africa. As the world rapidly enters an era defined by an AI revolution, East Africa finds itself lagging significantly.
Addressing Load Shedding in East Africa: The Potential Role of Machine Learning in Solving the Region’s Electricity Crisis
Load shedding, the deliberate shutdown of electricity in parts of a power distribution network to prevent the collapse of the entire system, has become a daily challenge for many East Africans.
