
19 UNU-WIDER articles, publications, projects, experts...
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Book Chapter
Prospects for information and communications technology-enabled services in KenyaPart of Book Industries without Smokestacks
Background Note
COVID-19 and socioeconomic impact in AfricaThe COVID-19 pandemic has now spread to over 180 countries, including several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 1 Kenya reported its first COVID-19 case on 13 March 2020. By 31 March the number of confirmed cases had risen to 59, with over 70 per cent...
Working Paper
COVID-19: mortality, future years lost, and demographic structureCOVID-19 causes extremely high mortality among the old. This motivates a comparison of the losses of future lifetime years and future lifetime years of work ensuing from a hypothetical 25,000 excess deaths in Italy, whose affluent population is one of...
Working Paper
The determinants of domestic saving in KenyaThe savings–growth nexus is widely acknowledged, both in policy and in the literature. But Kenya’s numerous policy initiatives to encourage savings mobilization are yet to yield the expected outcomes. This paper identifies the key drivers of domestic...
Journal Article
Is it export- or import-led growth?The role of exports in promoting economic growth has been widely acknowledged. This paper analyses the link between exports, imports, and growth performance in Kenya using time series data. Despite trade liberalization and export promotion policies...
Journal Article
Formalizing clientelism in KenyaTHIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A FORTHCOMING JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUE OF WORLD DEVELOPMENT | Why does clientelism persist? What determines how politicians signal responsiveness to voters and exert effort towards fulfilling campaign promises? This article...
Working Paper
Formalizing clientelism in KenyaWhy does clientelism persist? What determines how politicians signal responsiveness or fulfil their campaign promises? Existing works assume that politicians choose the most successful means of winning votes—either through targeted patronage...
Working Paper
An assessment of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Kenya’s tradeWe examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kenya’s foreign trade using quarterly trade data for the period 2019 to the second quarter of 2021. The exploratory analysis shows that growth of Kenya’s merchandise exports remained resilient...
Background Note
Do more diversified suppliers rebound faster than concentrated suppliers in times of shocks?In this background note, we examine how different firms and sectors rebound or prevail in crises. We draw on insights from the performance (upgrading potential) of Kenyan horticulture, tea, and leather export firms during two recent, but very...
Working Paper
Is export-led growth a mirage?The role of exports in promoting economic growth has been widely acknowledged. This paper analyses the link between exporting and growth performance in Kenya using time series data. Despite trade liberalization and export promotion policies pursued...
Working Paper
The politics of scaling up social protection in KenyaLiterature on social protection in Kenya shows progress in implementation of cash transfers but not the social health insurance scheme. With a dearth of explanation for this contrasting promotion of social protection, this paper examines the role of...
Working Paper
Prospects for information and communications technology-enabled services in KenyaThe mobile money transfer industry has been the most successful information and communications technology-enabled service in Kenya, having recorded an exponential growth relative to its neighbours within the East Africa region. This could be...
Working Paper
Indicators of illicit activities in gold supply chainsIllicit gold flows constitute a major development challenge for governments and a social responsibility challenge for the jewellery industry, which accounts for the majority of global gold demand. This paper highlights aspects of gold supply chains...