Author: Opinion

A resilient health system is one that can deliver high-quality care for its patients under pressure – which could be economic, social, or environmental. Achieving this requires us to proactively strive to keep people healthy, rather than waiting until they fall ill to intervene. Without equity, our efforts to build a greener, healthier Africa will fall short. Climate change is no longer a theoretical challenge to be solved by future generations; it is a reality that communities across Africa are already experiencing in the form of higher temperatures, droughts, changing rainfall patterns. Despite contributing the least to global warming and…

Launched as a cornerstone of Vision 2030, Jomo Kenya International Airport’s (JKIA) Terminal 3 project, dubbed the “Greenfield Terminal”, had initially set hopes high. With a projected cost of US$650 million, the project aimed to augment the airport’s capacity by 20 million passengers. However, this dream was short-lived as the project, which commenced in 2014, abruptly stopped two years later.

For businesses, adopting circular economy principles means less cost in hauling waste to dump sites. Circular economy means gaining new sources of revenue from selling by-products in manufacturing and using less energy. While circular economy concepts make intuitive sense to most investors, the opportunities have yet to be fully explored. According to a new academic study published in the Frontiers in Sustainability, there are five areas of opportunities where businesses and investors can uncover wealth-building opportunities while improving the environment. This study “Toward a preliminary research agenda for circular economy adoption in Africa”, by lead author Elke Nijman-Ross, reviewed 275…

Initiated by UNECA, the Trans-African Highway project aims to integrate the continent through an expansive road system. Despite political obstacles, renewed momentum from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is rejuvenating this grand vision. With gradual removal of barriers to internal trade, Africa stands on the brink of a historic opportunity to enhance trade, tourism, and growth. The Trans-African Highway network, a bold blueprint conceived to foster economic integration on the African continent, has been a captivating vision since its inception in 1971. Initiated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the project aims to integrate the…

For Africa, 2023 looks set to become a year of solid recovery and tourism could play a big role in unlocking Africa’s potential. The roll-out of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to boost business travel within the continent. Unfortunately, the high costs of flights within and to Africa are posing a significant barrier to unlocking the continent’s tourism and trade potential. Nairobi — Tourism in Africa has a promising future, and 2023 looks set to become a year of solid recovery. A recent report from the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) shows high levels of…

The long-term effects of Covid-19 and the climate crisis are felt more acutely in Africa than elsewhere. Africa’s additional financing needs resulting from the pandemic will amount to $285 billion over the four years ending 2025. Sub-Saharan Africa endured a recession in 2020 for the first time in 25 years. NEW YORK – Africa bears virtually no responsibility for the greenhouse-gas emissions driving the climate crisis. It is not responsible for the conflicts or supply-chain disruptions that have driven global inflation. Nor did it trigger the spread of COVID-19, let alone cause the pandemic’s economic fallout. And yet the long-term…

As temperatures keep rising and emissions soar, the planet, too, continues to break (dangerous) new records. Climate change is a shared problem that the global community must solve by working together. With a strong partnership between Africa, Europe, and the rest of the international community, Kenya, can make significant contributions to the global transition to a net-zero economy. NAIROBI – Last year in Berlin, the great Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge broke the world marathon record, clocking 02:01:09 and beating his previous time by 30 seconds. His success has made him a legend not only in Kenya but globally. It…

As the world grapples with the impact of the global recession caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the impact of the Russia – Ukraine war, the effects of climate change, and other challenges, terrorists and violent extremists, including Da’esh, Al-Qaida, and their affiliates, continue to intensify their activities on the African continent aggravating an already difficult situation. The response has been, by and large, heavy on the military. Still, countries are increasingly focusing on prevention with a particular focus on addressing the root causes, such as poverty reduction, strengthening institutional capacity to respond to the needs of their populations, and…

The New Tanzania Investment Act 2022 has now become law replacing the Tanzania Investment Act Cap 38 RE 2015 and its amendments. While there was an expectation for major changes, the reality is that the new Act is more or less the same as the previous minus a few differences outlined below: 1. The Act is in the Kiswahili language and there is no translation of the same in English. 2. Removal of the automatic immigration quota of 5 work and residence permits for expatriates workers. While previously an investor registered at the TIC would be allowed up to 5…

Kenya has much of what it takes to become a globally competitive tourist destination. With its modern infrastructure, the country has the capacity to receive many more tourists. The favourable investment climate means any increase in demand would easily trigger new investments in accommodation, attractions, and tourist services.

Demand is, however, the most crucial factor here, and with the current visa regime, Kenya faces an unnecessary barrier that limits the growth potential of a key engine of the country’s economy. 

An easing of visa policies could be implemented in a matter of days and would provide an immediate boost to Kenya’s tourism competitiveness. Bringing back visa-on-arrival would be a major improvement. Visa-free entry for citizens of the main source markets even more so.