Hidden in Plain Sight: East Africa’s Battle Against Non-Communicable Diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – the chronic health conditions resulting from complex interactions between genetic predisposition, physiological factors, environmental exposures, and behavioral patterns – have emerged as the most pressing public health challenge of the 21st century. While they account for a staggering 71% of all global deaths annually (approximately 41 million lives lost), nowhere is this crisis more acute than in Sub-Saharan Africa, where NCDs are advancing at an alarming rate.
Mwalimu for Hire: The Rise of Private Tutoring in East Africa
Education in East Africa remains a global concern, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic which exacerbated existing challenges, as evidenced by World Bank Group projections that about 66 million children, adolescents, and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa will be out of school by 2030. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for comprehensive educational reforms across the region.
The Business of Healing: East Africa’s Untapped Strengths in the Global Medical Market
East African countries face significant challenges in meeting the essential healthcare needs of their growing populations. Traditionally positioned as recipients of healthcare solutions, it is time to shift the narrative toward how the region can actively contribute to the development and expansion of the global healthcare industry.
Dormitories in Distress: Rethinking Discipline, Safety, and Class in East Africa’s Boarding Schools
In February 2025, Kenya’s Ministry of Education ordered the indefinite closure of a boarding sections of 348 primary schools following a string of violent incidents, including a fire allegedly started by students protesting against poor living conditions. The story made national headlines, but for many parents, teachers, and students, it wasn’t surprising.
COVID Five Years On: Evaluating the Response and the Transformations in Healthcare Since the Pandemic
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus, emerged as a global pandemic, disrupting societies and economies worldwide. Five years later, East Africa continues to navigate the lasting effects of the crisis, particularly within its healthcare systems. This report evaluates the region’s response, assessing both immediate interventions and long-term transformations.
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.
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.
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?
