scholarly journals Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway Project in the Context of Theory and Practice of Regional Planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanard Otwori Juma ◽  
Fredrick Adol Gogo ◽  
Ahmed Abduletif Abdulkadr ◽  
Dénes Dávid Lóránt

Despite most African countries having immense natural and human resources potential, the continent has mostly been lagging on matters of economic development. This scenario could primarily be attributed to weak intra-regional and inter-country trade given the poor connectivity, quality, and diversity in transportation services and infrastructure. In this regard, the governments of the greater East African Region representing Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, therefore, mooted a coordinated vision to develop interlinked regional infrastructure in road and rail transport to allow smooth movement of goods and services.  This paper aimed to critically review the impact of the SGR development on Kenya in the context of regional planning and development. The methodology of the study was a critical review of existing literature and secondary data. Study findings indicated that the development of the (Standard Gauge Railway) SGR is in tandem with the development strategies of other East African Countries. Its development is incorporated in national spatial plans with the rail route targeting regions with viable populations and sustainable economic activities. Criticisms, however, revolve around the ballooning debt to finance infrastructural development and lack of prioritization f mega projects. In conclusion, despite the financial constraints, the SGR is viewed to significantly influence the socio-economic spheres while presenting challenges in the management of landscapes where it traverses in Kenya and the Region.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Osadume ◽  
Edih O. University

PurposeThis study investigated the impact of economic growth on carbon emissions on selected West African countries between 1980 and 2019. Simon-Steinmann's economic growth model provides the relevant theoretical foundation. The main objective of this study was to ascertain whether economic growth will impact carbon emissions.Design/methodology/approachThe study selected six-sample countries in West Africa and used secondary data obtained through the World Bank Group online database covering the period 1980–2019, employing panel econometric methods of statistical analysis.FindingsThe outcome indicates that the independent variable showed a positively significant impact on the dependent variable for the pooled samples in the short-run, with significant cointegration.Research limitations/implicationsThe study concluded that economic growth significantly impacts the emissions of carbon, and a 1% rise in economic growth will result to 3.11121% unit rise in carbon emissions.Practical implicationsPolicy implementation should encourage the use of energy efficient facilities by firms and government and the establishment of carbon trading hubs.Social implicationsFailure by governments to heed the recommendations of this research will result to serious climate change issues on economic activities with attendant consequences on human health within the region and globally.Originality/valueThis is one of the comprehensive works on subject covering the West African region within the continent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Lukamba Muhiya Tshombe ◽  
Thekiso Molokwane ◽  
Alex Nduhura ◽  
Innocent Nuwagaba

The impact of the implementation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the Sub-Saharan African region on infrastructure and services is becoming increasingly perceptible. A considerable number of African countries have embraced PPPs as a mechanism to finance large projects due to a constrained fiscus. At present, many financial institutions, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank, which finance some of the projects, have established a department or unit that mainly focuses on infrastructure development in developing countries. The private sector in Africa is equally seen as a significant partner in the development of infrastructure. African governments need to tap into private capital to invest in infrastructure projects. This scientific discussion provides an analysis of PPPs in the East African region. This article selected a number of countries to illustrate PPP projects in the sub-region. The analysis of this study illustrates that the East African region represents unique and valuable public-private partnership lessons in different countries. This study also traces the origins of PPPs to more than a century ago where developed countries completed some of their projects using the same arrangement. This paper further demonstrates that the application of PPPs is always characterised by three factors, namely a country, a sector and a project. Experts in the field often refer to these elements as layers, which usually precede any successful PPP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Nurul Aeni

ENGLISHCOVID-19 Pandemic started from March 2020 affected many aspects. This research aims to describe the impacts of pandemic on health, economic, and social in Pati District. It used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It used secondary data that were obtained from relevant services and references. Then, the data were analyzed descriptively. This research resulted: (1) the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health can be seen through the number of positive COVID-19 cases, mortality, and reduction in health service coverage. Higher positive COVID-19 cases were found in around the center of government and economic activities; (2) COVID-19 Pandemic has disturbed supply and demand of goods and services. This situation affected the decrease of economic growth. Pati’s economic structure is sustained by agriculture and manufactured that still showed positive growth. Thus, the economic slowdown caused the increase of unemployment, particularly on micro and small enterprises or household industries; (3) the impact of pandemic COVID-19 was represented by the poverty increase. Higher number of poor families was found in the areas having near-poor families and vulnerable ones. INDONESIAPandemi COVID-19 yang terjadi sejak bulan Maret 2020 memengaruhi segala aspek kehidupan. Tujuan penelitian adalah mendeskripsikan dampak pandemi dalam aspek kesehatan, ekonomi, dan kesehatan di Kabupaten Pati. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan kuantitatif secara bersama. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder yang diperoleh dari instansi maupun referensi yang relevan. Selanjutnya data tersebut diolah secara kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian adalah (1) Dampak pandemi COVID-19 pada aspek kesehatan adalah jumlah kasus positif dan kematian yang cukup tinggi serta penurunan cakupan sebagian besar layanan kesehatan; kasus positif COVID-19 cukup tinggi terjadi di wilayah yang merupakan pusat pemerintahan atau dekat dengan pusat ekonomi; (2) Pandemi COVID-19 menyebabkan perubahan penawaran dan permintaan barang dan jasa. Kondisi tersebut berdampak terhadap penurunan pertumbuhan ekonomi. Struktur perekonomian Kabupaten Pati ditopang oleh sektor usaha pertanian dan industri pengolahan yang masih menunjukkan pertumbuhan positif selama pandemi. Perlambatan ekonomi tersebut selanjutnya menyebabkan peningkatan pengangguran, terutama pada sektor usaha mikro dan kecil serta industri rumah tangga; (3) Dampak sosial pandemi COVID-19 di Kabupaten Pati terwakili oleh peningkatan kemiskinan, dimana peningkatan kemiskinan lebih tinggi terjadi di wilayah yang yang memiliki jumlah keluarga hampir dan rentan miskin tinggi.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tekeste Berhanu Lakew ◽  
Hossein Azadi

It is important to evaluate the impact of Ethiopia’s financial inclusion strategy since it has been launched in 2014. Accordingly, this paper assesses the extent to which the target has been met. The main aim of this study is to measure the success or failure of Ethiopia’s financial inclusion in comparison with other countries in East Africa. Using secondary data, this study revealed that Ethiopia’s financial inclusion is not as successful as other East African countries. This study also found that Ethiopians prefer informal saving clubs rather than formal financial organs. This preference, combined with unemployment and low income, is the barrier to the financial inclusion strategy. Based on the findings, identifying and addressing root causes should be done by removing distance, cost, credit, and documentation barriers. Moreover, the findings showed that access to public transit can also expand the reach of formal financial institutions by encouraging more people to physically access financial institutions. This study recommended access to formal financial organs as a core to financial institutions. Access to formal financial organs should be boosted through increasing financial institutions. Educating individuals about their financial circumstances were also recommended so that people can increase their formal saving uptake. This paper also recommended that the government develop regulatory guidelines for the functioning of financial institutions. The main outcome, therefore, is that financial institutions could be more transparent and predictable, reduce costs, and simplify the rules for entering the market.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Jean Pierre Namahoro ◽  
Qiaosheng Wu ◽  
Haijun Xiao ◽  
Na Zhou

This study aims to examine the asymmetric nexus between CO2 emissions and renewable energy and economic and population growth in seven East African countries (EACs) at the regional level and country levels. Common correlated effect means group (CCEMG), nonlinear autoregressive distributed lagged (NARDL), and causality tests were employed for the panel data from 1980 to 2016. The main findings are as follows: (1) Renewable energy consumption negatively affects CO2 emissions, while economic and population growth positively affect CO2 emissions at the regional level. (2) The findings of asymmetric and symmetric linkages between CO2 emissions and its determinants (economic and population growth and renewable energy) are very volatile across the country levels. (3) The causality hypotheses are different across the country and regional levels. (4) This study shows the renewable energy growth nexus, wherein renewable energy positively affects economic growth at the regional level. Lastly, the study suggests potential policy implications for effectively reducing CO2 emissions as well as growing the economy at the regional level.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Serdar KUZU

The size of international trade continues to extend rapidly from day to day as a result of the globalization process. This situation causes an increase in the economic activities of businesses in the trading area. One of the main objectives of the cost system applied in businesses is to be able to monitor the competitors and the changes that can be occured as a result of the developments in the sector. Thus, making cost accounting that is proper according to IAS / IFRS and tax legislation has become one of the strategic targets of the companies in most countries. In this respect, businesses should form their cost and pricing systems according to new regulations. Transfer pricing practice is usefull in setting the most proper price for goods that are subject to the transaction, in evaluating the performance of the responsibility centers of business, and in determining if the inter-departmental pricing system is consistent with targets of the business. The taxing powers of different countries and also the taxing powers of different institutions in a country did not overlap. Because of this reason, bringing new regulations to the tax system has become essential. The transfer pricing practice that has been incorporated into the Turkish Tax System is one of the these regulations. The transfer pricing practice which includes national and international transactions has been included in the Corporate Tax Law and Income Tax Law. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of goods and services transfer that will occur between departments of businesses on the responsibility center and business performance, and also the impact of transfer pricing practice on the business performance on the basis of tax-related matters. As a result of the study, it can be said that transfer pricing practice has an impact on business performance in terms of both price and tax-related matters.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
David Terfa Akighir ◽  
Tyagher Margaret ◽  
Jacob Terungwa Tyagher ◽  
Tordue Emmanuel Kpoghul

Twelve (12) out of the Twenty-three (23) local government areas (LGAs) in Benue State do not have the presence of banks over a long period of time. This situation has deprived the inhabitants of these LGAs of access to formal financial services until the advent of agency banking. This study therefore, investigates the impact of agency banking on financial inclusion and economic activities in Benue State focusing on the agency banking activities of First Bank Ltd. The study is anchored on the agency theory and it used a survey design. The study has utilized both primary and secondary data that were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and structural equation models. Findings of the study have revealed that agency banking activities of First Bank Ltd have immensely enhanced financial inclusion and economic activities in Benue State. However, challenges such as shortages of cash, security problems, network failures, and lack of financial literacy are militating against the smooth operations of the agency banking in the State. On the basis of these findings, the study has recommended among others that, other banks operating in the State should be encouraged to venture into agency banking in the state so as to have a wider coverage of agency banking in the State. Also, government should provide security and partner with the private sector to provide national carrier communication network system to overcome the network failure challenge. Finally, banks should intensify efforts to educate the masses about the validity and potency of agency banking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 248-256
Author(s):  
Lenka Mařincová ◽  
Simona Šafaříková ◽  
Radka Cahlíková

Background: Over a few decades obesity has become a major global health problem. Its prevalence worldwide has more than doubled since 1980. The situation is expected to worsen in the future, especially in the developing countries that experience nutrition transition due to economic growth. It contributes to reduction in malnutrition which supports an increase in obesity prevalence. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the predictors of obesity in the region of East Africa. Methods: Meta-analysis of existing studies was used in order to find the different risk factors and their significance in obesity development. Data extracted from 16 published academic research articles described the situation in East African countries. The significance of the effect of each variable was tested by means of an asymptotic chi-square test, or Fisher's exact (factorial) test and the risk ratios were calculated. Results: Based on the chi-square test and the risk ratios of the aggregated data, three risk factors were found to be significant in the development of obesity – gender, type of residence and socio-economic status. In East African countries, women are significantly more likely to be obese. Living in an urban area and socioeconomic status are also positively associated with obesity. Because of insufficient data three other risk factors did not prove to be of any significance – alcohol consumption, smoking and education level. Conclusion: Conclusions of this meta-analysis confirm world trends but we also found results that are not in line with them (e.g. education). This meta-analysis confirms the huge existing research gap concerning obesity predictors in the East African region. Keywords: Obesity; meta-analysis; East Africa. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1345-1362
Author(s):  
Folorunsho M. Ajide

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on control of corruption in selected African countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs secondary data spanning over a period of 2005–2016. These data are sourced from IMF's International Financial Statistics, World Bank Development Indicators, Global Financial Development Database, Transparency International and International Country Risk Guide. The author uses Sarma (2008) approach to construct the FI index for 13 countries in Africa. The author applies random effect, robust least square and instrumental variable (IV) estimations to examine the impact of FI on control of corruption in Africa.FindingsThe author finds that financial inclusion improves the control of corruption. The author tests for possible FI threshold to avoid the case of extreme FI in Africa. The results show that there is a threshold level if reached, FI would have negative impacts in the control of corruption. This may likely happen mainly due to weak institutions in Africa. The results are robust to alternative proxy for control of corruption and various alternative estimation techniques.Practical implicationsThe finding indicates that FI can serve as part of toolkits for reducing corruption in Africa.Originality/valueThis study stresses the important role of FI in the economic system. It is the first paper that empirically suggests the role of FI in controlling corruption in Africa.


Author(s):  
Per Tidemand

This paper summarises key findings from a comprehensive analysis commissioned by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) of the nature of decentralisation in the three East African countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.The specific objectives of the study were:• Provide a basic comparative analysis of the forms and processes of decentralisation reforms in the three countries• Analyse the specific modalities in the three countries for local service delivery planning and provision within the three sectors of basic education, primary health care and agricultural extension, with a particular emphasis on rural areas. TIDEMAND: Local level service delivery, decentralisation and governance: A comparative study of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania CJLG May 2009 145• Explore the impact of the specific forms of decentralisation and local level service delivery arrangements in terms of efficiency, accountability (transparency) and democratic process (participation).


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