FEATURED BLOG

The Case for a New Index: Africa Sustainable Futures Index

Akinyi Ochieng 3/2/21 Akinyi Ochieng 3/2/21

What Does Philanthropy Mean for Africa?

Where African governments may be unwilling or unable to solve complex socio-economic challenges, philanthropy by Africa’s wealthy can bridge the gap.

Akinyi Ochieng 3/1/21 Akinyi Ochieng 3/1/21

How the UAE Has Emerged as the Gulf’s Digital Champion During COVID-19

While COVID-19 has accelerated digital adoption across the world, innovation in the UAE is growing at an unprecedented pace and builds on the government’s recent efforts to transform this desert oasis into fertile ground for tech entrepreneurship in the Gulf.

Akinyi Ochieng 3/1/21 Akinyi Ochieng 3/1/21

How Should the Private Sector Engage with the AfCFTA?

The AfCFTA’s promising future hinges on African businesses’ ability to leverage it to boost cross-border trade. At a macro-level, the agreement will deliver massive benefits to the continent, but the impact of the agreement on firms will be uneven and unequal.

Akinyi Ochieng 1/23/21 Akinyi Ochieng 1/23/21

The ‘Mommy Influencer’ Moment: Why High-trust Digital Communities Can Be an Entry Point to Emerging Markets

Akinyi Ochieng 1/22/21 Akinyi Ochieng 1/22/21

Op-Ed: Why Thoroughbreds Will Outpace Unicorns in the Race Towards Profitability

The Middle East and Africa could be home to tech’s next gold rush. But for entrepreneurs in the region to strike it big, they must look at the opportunities that have been neglected – chief among them, booming enterprise spending. Instead of chasing consumer businesses dependent on massive amounts of cash and users, entrepreneurs should explore how they can create value for the local business community by finding innovative solutions to business challenges.

Akinyi Ochieng 12/16/20 Akinyi Ochieng 12/16/20

Part II: Is There Room for Disruption in Consulting?

This piece explores what a paradigm shift in how consultants consult could look like in the 21st century, especially given our tendency to superimpose linearity on a world that is, more often than not, circuitous at best.

Akinyi Ochieng 12/16/20 Akinyi Ochieng 12/16/20

Part I: Is There Room for Disruption in Consulting?

Akinyi Ochieng 12/14/20 Akinyi Ochieng 12/14/20

We Have a Unique Opportunity to Bridge the Digital Divide and Change Our Lives

COVID-19 has shown us in many ways that digital connectivity, particularly through our mobile phones, is crucial, and that a lack of it can have catastrophic effects

Akinyi Ochieng 11/18/20 Akinyi Ochieng 11/18/20

The Evolving Face of the Tech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in the UAE

The UAE has introduced several initiatives to discourage the outsourcing of technology development, inspire local innovations, and position the country as a tech-cocoon. Given the UAE’s aim to foster home-grown tech innovations developed by both local and global enterprises, the country's current business environment is such that only larger firms with deep pockets can afford to not outsource their R&D to cheaper countries. This limits the potential of small, experimental players from developing cutting-edge technological solutions within the UAE’s borders.

Akinyi Ochieng 10/14/20 Akinyi Ochieng 10/14/20

Evolving Insolvency Law: A Second Chance for Ghanaian Firms

This brief is part of a series examining the evolution of insolvency law in fast-growing markets across the Middle East and Africa. The first installment of this series focused on reforms to Kenya’s insolvency law. In this brief, we analyze key recent changes to Ghanaian insolvency law and the implications for private companies and investors.

Akinyi Ochieng 9/27/20 Akinyi Ochieng 9/27/20

Africa’s COVID-19 Sovereign Debt Relief Package: Placebo or Panacea?

COVID-19 has strained on African governments’ resources, and efforts to ease the pressure are a step in the right direction. But the opportunity cost of each solution must be taken into account to avoid compounding the existing debt burden.

Akinyi Ochieng 9/25/20 Akinyi Ochieng 9/25/20

How COVID-19 is Re-Shaping Company Valuations

As new investments slow down, ongoing investment discussions are at a crossroads: investors must reconsider valuations or adjust key investment terms to account for the realities of COVID-19.