An Africanist Perspective

Updates on the race to be the gateway into East and Central Africa

Africa’s fastest growing region is getting the infrastructure investments to match

Nov 9 • Ken Opalo

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October 2026

Let’s Stop Telling Insomniacs to Get More Sleep

Useful policy advice must address How, not just What.

Oct 30 • Ken Opalo

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The perceived risk profiles of African economies are changing (and that’s a good thing)

Yes. The vibe shift is real.

Oct 16 • Ken Opalo

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Two recent podcast appearances

On growth, development policy research, urbanization, and more

Oct 8 • Ken Opalo

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On the escalation of war in Ethiopia

The coming proxy wars will be devastating for civilians and do little to improve governance and human welfare in Ethiopia and the wider Horn

Oct 1 • Ken Opalo

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September 2026

The things we project onto maps

Thoughts on the discourse around the UN resolution regarding the “equal earth” map

Sep 19 • Ken Opalo

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Book Review 4/26: A Man of the World: Tom Mboya, the Cold War and Decolonization in Kenya (by Daniel Branch)

The political life of one of Kenya’s most brilliant politicians & policymakers; and lessons on leadership in Africa

Sep 3 • Ken Opalo

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August 2026

The end of “post-apartheid South Africa” and the birth of normal and better politics

So far the rainbow nation has been a sterling example of reconciliation and peaceful decolonization. Now the hard work of doing normal bare-knuckle…

Aug 14 • Ken Opalo

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July 2026

Book Review (3/26): The Political Economy of Rwanda's Rise (by Pritish Behuria)

On developmentalist state-building and its impacts on business-state relations.

Jul 28 • Ken Opalo

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Why is it so difficult (and crazy expensive) to fly within Africa?

Thinking through the economics and politics of connectivity in a vast Continent

Jul 16 • Ken Opalo

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The mechanics of building strong states in 21st century Africa

On models of state-building and their applicability to the African context

Jul 3 • Ken Opalo

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June 2026

How Sahelian (and African) militaries can get better at fighting and winning wars

African states will continue to struggle against non-state armed actors unless the region’s militaries undertake significant organizational and…

Jun 23 • Ken Opalo

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