In many discussions about economic transformation in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs), attention is often directed to infrastructure, drought resilience, humanitarian assistance, or livestock systems. These are all important considerations but there is another question we should be asking more seriously: What does it actually take to deliver economic opportunity at the last mile? Not in theory. Not in policy documents. But in practice for the collector, trader, aggreg

Across Kenya, counties are under growing pressure to deliver jobs, strengthen local industries, expand own-source revenues, and build resilience against climate and economic shocks. Yet while the conversation around devolution has matured significantly over the past decade, one challenge remains persistent: how do counties move from planning to actual economic transformation? The answer increasingly lies in their ability to attract and structure investment around sectors wher

For Seraphine Nesasuen from Samburu County, the Gum Arabic business has become more than just a source of income, it has become a pathway to survival, stability, and hope for her family. Born in 1994 and a mother of six children, Seraphine has spent the last three years working in the Gum Arabic value chain. She has been able to support her household during difficult economic times by collecting and selling Gum Arabic. “Sometimes we do not have money, but this business has he

For more than a decade, Lentam Ntarawe has been part of the Gum Arabic trade in northern Kenya. What began around 2013 as a small business selling to traders has today grown into a livelihood that supports not only his family, but also many collectors within his community. Before structured buyers entered the market, business was difficult. Collectors often travelled long distances searching for buyers willing to purchase Gum Arabic. The process was exhausting, unpredictable,

The Milly Fruits Processing plant launch on 30th June 2026 was a defining moment for Kilifi County and its people future. Agriculture carries Kenya’s economy and the people’s livelihoods, but it is increasingly losing its capacity to do so. The sector contributes 23.2% of GDP directly, employs around 40% of the population, and sustains roughly 70% of smallholder farming households. The share of Kenyans earning their main livelihood from farming has fallen from 25.4% in 2019 t

Kenya’s intermediary cities—those with populations between 50,000 and one million—are emerging as vital engines of regional growth. Yet,...

Kenya’s cotton industry is poised for a revival—and Lamu County is at the heart of this transformation. Despite the country’s potential,...

Women harvest chilli in Kilifi Despite Kenya’s progressive legal framework that guarantees equal rights to land and property for both men...

Kenya’s intermediary cities—urban centres that serve as regional hubs between rural areas and major cities—are increasingly at the...

Kenya's cotton industry has a significant market potential, as the annual demand for cotton lint exceeds 200,000 bales, while the current...

Over the past five years, the UK Government funded Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme (SUED) has worked with leaders in 12...

When Beatrice Nanga became a parent, she wanted to provide her children with a more prosperous life than she had experienced. As a...

Intermediary cities with a population between 50,000 and one million people need a vibrant private sector that provides income and...

Introduction Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, yet they do not have adequate...

Introduction Primary cities in Africa cannot accommodate the rapidly increasing population, as such, there is need to strengthen the role...

Last month’s COP27 in Egypt has brought renewed urgency for vulnerable Sub-Saharan countries to adapt and mitigate against the impacts of...

As this year’s COP27 in Egypt is coming to a close, climate finance was again at the centre of the negotiations. But to become...

Socio-economic analyses of most urban areas demonstrate that there are individuals or groups who are excluded from fully participating in...

Seizing opportunities for economic growth Kenya’s economy – the largest in East Africa – has seen high growth in recent years. The...

Global warming and climate change continue to pose major challenges to communities in developing countries by threatening livelihoods and...