When I learnt recently that Amsterdam has a night mayor, I pictured someone who sleeps during the day but works at night. The role likely involves regular office hours but carries a unique responsibility: Regulating the night-time economy and fostering a safe, vibrant environment for individuals, businesses and the city. It is an idea with…
A historic event took place in Eastern Africa on September 9, 2025. On that day, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was officially inaugurated by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, in the presence of African leaders and representatives of international organisations. The US$5 billion dam has a generating capacity of 6,450 MW, making it the…
The recent United Nations report uncovering Kenya and Uganda as major transit hubs in South Sudan’s smuggling networks should be a wake-up call for the EAC. Gold, charcoal and oil—resources that should strengthen South Sudan’s economy—are instead entering the pockets of smugglers. This is no longer just South Sudan’s problem; it is a regional crisis…
Come to think of it, I am a rather misadventure-prone individual. This was brought home to me by a close friend who has either heard or read my accounts of the several escapades I have had in various parts of the world. Among them was an outstandingly scandalous misadventure in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, many years…
More than 7,000 years ago, people in Central Asia discovered that milk left to ferment naturally turned into a tangy, creamy food we now call yogurt. Since then, yogurt has been part of many traditional diets and is still valued for its health benefits. In the early 1900s, Russian scientist Élie Metchnikoff noticed something unusual:…
Last week I came across World Population Prospects, a publication of the World Bank which forecast the world’s population in 2100. I was astounded to note that by that year Tanzania’s population would reach 353,512,977 under a high-fertility scenario, 262,834,722 under a medium-fertility scenario and 190,719,754 under a low-fertility scenario. The most widely accepted estimate…
Over the years of attending various tech events across Africa, I have noticed a common theme: Many innovative solutions are created without a clear understanding of local needs or sustainable business models. It is inspiring to see the passion and creativity, but without aligning these innovations with practical, market-driven strategies, they often struggle to make…
Bringing a new baby into the world is often described as a joyful and fulfilling experience. However, for many mothers, this period can also bring unexpected emotional struggles. While it is normal to feel tired or overwhelmed after childbirth, some women experience a deeper, more persistent sadness known as postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum depression is…
A bright morning day in Mkomazi National Park, where we are welcomed by herds of buffaloes feeding peacefully on the plains. My attention was gracefully focused on birds that clinger on one large herbivorous, feeding right between the buffalo eyes, others on the nose and the buffalo did not seem to mind about them. The…
EAC has appointed a woman to head its Secretariat as Secretary General (SG). It is in this respect that the recent appointment of Kenya’s Veronica Mueni Nduva as EAC-SG can be seen as truly revolutionary and groundbreaking. Her appointment does not just mark a significant milestone in the pursuit of gender equality in the region’s…
