An Africanist Perspective

Electrifying African firms for growth and development

On the urgent need to rethink the core goals of Mission 300

Sep 8 • 

Ken Opalo

60

4

August 2025

There will be no economic takeoff in Africa without lots of large (private sector) firms

On why African states’ jobs agenda must focus on catalyzing firm growth (and not disorganized investments in micro-entrepreneurship)

Aug 29 • 

Ken Opalo

114

33

On Africa’s “arbitrary” borders and their alleged impacts

Borders are not the leading cause of state weakness or political and economic underdevelopment in Africa

Aug 14 • 

Ken Opalo

153

27

How Ethiopia avoided colonization in the late 19th century but then lagged behind in the 20th century

Lessons in stateness, (failed) modernization, and economic (under)development

Aug 7 • 

Ken Opalo

145

20

July 2025

A Historical Political Economy of Kenya

A high-achiever country repeatedly let down by mediocre leadership

Jul 24 • 

Ken Opalo

100

5

How Kenya’s opposition can defeat President William Ruto in 2027

In order to win in 2027 the opposition has to be bigger than the sum of its regional components; and engineer a wave election

Jul 11 • 

Ken Opalo

57

3

Reelecting William Samoei Ruto

Electoral politics is a game of numbers, and right now the numbers and fundamentals favor William Ruto

Jul 1 • 

Ken Opalo

61

12

June 2025

On the Kenyan economy under William Ruto’s presidency

Still muddling through despite the government’s best efforts

Jun 22 • 

Ken Opalo

69

10

May 2025

How should development practice (and institutions) approach the coming reforms in the aid sector?

The past is gone. And there are lots of reasons not to mourn for its reinstatement.

May 29 • 

Ken Opalo

76

9

What does the rise and decline of STEM enrollment in Kenyan universities tell us about the Kenyan economy?

A pitch to increase STEM enrollment (and fix higher education in Kenya)

May 16 • 

Ken Opalo

51

3

How to (more reliably) electrify Africa for economic growth and development

Deepening energy access must be complemented by an aggressive pro-growth agenda; with sufficient attention to economic and political incentives

May 11 • 

Ken Opalo

79

7

April 2025

Straight talk on African elites’ complacency: the case of Kenya

Figuring out how to get things done is a major constraint to African development

Apr 30 • 

Ken Opalo

114

32