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.
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.
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.
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.
Trump’s Triumphant Turnover: What Donald Trump’s Presidential Victory Means for East Africa’s Future
Donald Trump has returned to the White House with an emphatic victory over his opponent – now outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris. This victory has been secured while embroiled in countless lawsuits, convictions, two doses of impeachments and dodging several assassination attempts. Meanwhile, civilians across the region await what the 45th and 47th President of the United States of America has in store for East 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.
Wind Beneath East Africa’s Wings: Harnessing the Power of Nature for a Renewable Future
East Africa's energy landscape is at a transformative juncture, with governments, investors, and international organisations pushing for a transition towards cleaner, sustainable energy sources. As electricity demand continues to grow in line with economic development, driven by increasing urbanisation, industrialisation, and the need for improved access to energy in rural areas, renewable energy has become essential for the region's future.
