Unveiling East Africa’s Middle Class: Opportunities for Growth in Retail, Restaurants, Healthcare, and Education Among An Elusive Demographic
The middle class. Heralded as the engine of economic renewal and societal transformation, broadly defined, consists of individuals and households that fall between the lower and upper-income brackets, typically distinguished and delineated by their purchasing power, level of education and aspirational lifestyles. Whoever can uncover the hidden identity and patterns of the often overlooked middle class wields great power, as this segment is integral in generating profit and driving regional transformation.
The State of Surveillance in Kenya: The Precarious Balance Between National Security and Privacy Rights Amidst Nationwide Disappearances
Nairobi has been awash with a sudden resurgence of abductions and disappearances of personalities known to critique the sitting government. These kidnappings have become endemic to the Kenyan capital following the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests that ravaged Nairobi and wider parts of the country from June to August 2024.
Permission to Pollute? The Emerging Role of Carbon Credits in East Africa
In the global attempt to mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change, carbon allowances have aroused both hope and controversy. Critics argue that they serve as ‘pollution permission slips’, enabling wealthy nations and corporations to sidestep meaningful emissions reductions, while proponents champion them as a lifeline in developing regions with carbon capture potential.
From Backlog to Brain Drain: The Key Issues Behind East Africa’s Medical Intern Absorption Problem
In March 2024, hopeful medical interns in Kenya took to the streets in a 56-day-long strike. The issues under contention? A directive from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission had proposed to reduce intern stipends from Ksh 206,000 to between Ksh 47,000 and Ksh 70,000 – a reduction of nearly 80%.
Beyond Seasonal Stockpiles: Assessing East Africa’s Readiness to Combat Food Insecurity and Nutritional Decline
East Africa is among the most arable regions globally, with the potential to overcome regional food insecurity and become a significant food crop exporter. Yet East Africa remains one of the world’s most food insecure areas due to extreme weather patterns, ongoing conflicts, inadequate funding for food security, and mismanagement of resources.
Unwrapping Detty December: Turning Festivity into Opportunity for East Africa
‘Detty December’ is a term hailing from West Africa, signifying a period abundant with vivid nightlife, social gatherings, and festivities. ‘Detty,’ a playful twist on ‘dirty,’ captures the decadent nature of this celebratory season.
Securing East Africa’s Supply Chain Sovereignty: Navigating Global Shifts & Leveraging Critical Minerals for Regional Strength and Global Competitiveness
With increasing global tension, the concept of supply chain sovereignty comes into question. It represents the aspiration of nations to have greater control over key components within their supply chains to mitigate risks associated with foreign dependence.
Healthcare Financing in East Africa: Lessons from Kenya’s Social Healthcare Insurance Fund Bottleneck
The financing of healthcare in East Africa stands at a critical crossroads, with only 34% of the population able to access essential health services as of 2024. Despite the region’s growing demand for equitable healthcare, governments allocate a mere 5% of their GDP to the sector – far short of the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration.
East Africa’s COP29 Gamble: The Struggle for Climate Resilience at a Fossil-Fuelled Conference of the Parties
As the 29th edition of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP29) comes to a close in Baku, Azerbaijan, East African countries reflect on what ground was made as they brought urgent concerns to the forefront. The outcomes stand poised to determine whether East Africa’s prospect of a climate resilient future has a hope in hell after all or is just another fossil-fuelled pipedream.
