Author: Opinion

The appeal of Kenya’s creative economy lies in its multiplier effect. Creative production stimulates adjacent industries: tourism, retail, technology, events, hospitality, and infrastructure, generating diversified revenue streams and employment at scale.  Kenya’s creative economy is evolving from cultural promise into investment reality. Spanning film, music, digital content, gaming, fashion, and sports, the sector has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic growth frontiers, propelled by digital adoption, favorable demographics, progressive policy reform, and deepening international partnerships. Conservative estimates from government and industry sources consistently place the creative sector’s contribution at approximately 5 per cent of Kenya’s GDP. Recent assessments suggest the figure ranges between 5…

Binance is the central trading hub for crypto, leading in liquidity and price discovery, with $34T traded in 2025 and $145T all-time volume. Beyond trading, Binance’s infrastructure includes regulated access, secure custody for retail and institutional users, transparent asset assurance, and industry-leading security systems.  Binance bridges crypto and the traditional economy, providing institutional custody, collateral services, as well as fiat and payment rails that enable everyday fund transfers. Some people still think of Binance as just an exchange. This label made sense when crypto platforms were used primarily for trading. Yet today, Binance is more accurately described as crypto infrastructure,…

Afreximbank contends that Fitch Ratings failed to account for this critical distinction, producing an assessment the bank views as an unfair misrepresentation of its true credit standing. In a recent public statement, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) announced it would terminate its credit rating relationship with Fitch Ratings. The rationale for this decision was particularly striking. The bank attributed the move to its “firm belief that the credit rating exercise no longer reflects a good understanding of the Bank’s Establishment Agreement, its mission, or its mandate.” It further emphasized that its business profile remains “robust, underpinned by strong shareholder relationships…

As Washington assumes ‘America First’ position, NGOs in Africa that are heavily dependent on U.S. aid face a stark choice either to collapse or reinvent themselves quickly through diversification, innovation, and local ownership. As President Donald Trump’s second year in office gathers pace, a controversial yet vital question grips the boardrooms of NGOs in Africa: how long can they survive without billions of dollars in American foreign aid? Washington has over the decades been the largest contributor to international development, with subsidies to health, education, democracy promotion, and humanitarian assistance channeled via USAid, which ceased operations on 1st July 2025.…

For more than a decade, the Ethiopia GERD has represented hope to millions of Ethiopians who contributed their savings, their salaries, and their belief to a project that promised electricity, dignity, and development. For others in the region, particularly Egypt, it has represented uncertainty and fear about water security. That tension has turned a hydroelectric project into one of the most consequential geopolitical issues in Africa. Today, the conversation around Ethiopia GERD sovereignty is resurfacing in a new context. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates signals deepening diplomatic and economic engagement between Ethiopia and key…

As the clamor for Africa’s moment gets underway, one of the most consistent patterns we have seen is that too many programmes are either poorly funded, poorly designed or poorly implemented. Africa stands at the edge of a historic demographic shift. By 2050, one in three young people in the world will be African. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for the continent to shape global innovation and economic growth. But the promise of this moment depends on something very simple: whether every child in Africa learns to read and do basic maths in the early grades. Why Learning Levels Remain…

This open letter is in response to a new effort on the part of United States, specifically U.S. President Donald J. Trump in meddling in the Ethiopia Egypt conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile. While it is frequently described in terms of promoting “regional stability,” this intervention raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, legitimacy and power relations in Africa. The Nile River runs through and is used by many countries, most prominently Egypt, which has historically held outsize political influence over waters of the Nile due to colonial-era agreements. The construction of the GERD…

Benin once again erupted in sound and colour this weekend as Cotonou shook to the beat of a rarefied music festival organized by the President’s son. International acts, a dazzling set-up, huge publicity: it was all planned to give the country two-and-a-half-hours of collective euphoria despite Benin’s political instability. But as the spotlight shone on stage, another reality lurked in the shadows. What makes this contrast politically significant is not the existence of entertainment itself, but the timing, messaging, and national attention it commands when public debate is narrowing and material hardship is rising. In such moments, celebration can become…

Ending digital gender-based violence is central to achieving inclusive growth, human dignity, and the promise of Africa’s digital future. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is an international campaign led by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls. From 25 November – 10 December, this year’s 16 Days campaign targets how to end digital violence against women and girls. African Development Bank Director for Women, Gender and Civil Society Jemimah Njuki and Senior Programme Officer Ndey Oley Cole share five bold moves to end digital gender-based violence and unlock Africa’s digital promise.Every day, countless…

To achieve stronger Africa’s energy future, policymakers must facilitate with stable fiscal regimes, predictable contract terms, and anti-corruption measures. These reforms help de-risk projects and give investors the confidence to commit long-term capital. Investor confidence in Algeria’s energy sector is climbing. The country — already one of Africa’s most active oil and gas producers — has seen even more momentum in 2025. In October, Algeria’s national oil company, Sonatrach, announced a USD5.4 billion partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy to explore and develop new fields in the Illizi Basin. The government has also entered advanced talks with ExxonMobil and Chevron…