Region: East Africa
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100 African thinkers and doers gather in Marrakesh
While the UN conference on migration takes place in Marrakesh, a group of 100 African entrepreneurs, artists and techies will gather just outside the city center to discuss the latest trends in technology and arts that are shaping the future of the African continent. From Cape Town to Cairo, cutting-edge developments in technology, art and…
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Bio-slurry scales adoption in Uganda
In the face of climate change, governments have been keen on building the resilience of their citizens to adapt to climate change. In Africa, this narrative is not too from the truth; the government of Uganda has set up the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) initiative to enhance household participation in commercial agriculture. Through this initiative,…
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Climate and development journalism
How reporting on climate and development can influence agendas At a time when deniers of climate change call it fake news, climate activists call for more rigorous action, and high-level policymakers battle over “who pays”, it is journalists who try to make sense of it all. Their difficult mission is instrumental in our understanding of…
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Who owns food?
Conserving global biodiversity “Food is a symbol of self-determination. You cannot have dignity without feeding yourself.
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Why we speak
Civil society is under threat worldwide. Organizations and activists, trade unions, independent media and human rights defenders. All those who stand up for freedom of expression, human rights, a safe and clean environment and a livable climate in the future are struggling to keep their heads above water. They are being thwarted by governments and…
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Too much safety is not a thing!
“Cyber bullied on WhatsApp and Facebook.” “I have been blackmailed, beaten and forced to give out money after meeting a guy on a dating App.” “Being rejected in college because of my intersex condition.” “Our landlord forced us out of the house; he called on people to evict and remove our stuff from his house.”…
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Hivos: Tanzania’s anti-LGBTI crackdown is an affront to human rights
On October 29 2018, the ongoing crackdown on LGBTI people in Tanzania hit a new low. This came with Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam Paul Makonde’s announcement he wanted to track down LGBTI persons through online surveillance. His intensified crackdown featured plans to form an interagency task force including the Tanzania Commissions Regulatory Authority,…
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Safe spaces for free expression through Arts for LGBTI persons in Kenya
The Out Film Festival (OFF), first held at the Goethe Institute in Kenya, in 2011, was the first ever Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+)-themed film festival with an aim of showcasing films, documentaries, features and plays revolving around LGBTQ+ persons in Africa. The festival featured visiting movie makers who led plenary discussions…
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Data for good!
Open data is the new future The future is open! This was the main message at the 4th International Open Data Conference. On 27- 28 September 2018, 1,500 participants from the data community drawn from government, civil society, academia and private sector convened in Buenos Aires, Argentina to share experiences, learnings and collaborate on the…
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The role of the informal food sector in the food value chain
Growing urbanization and food demand 60 percent of the world’s population is projected to be urban by 2050; 2.5 billion will be in Africa and Asia. Eastern Africa is now by far the world’s most rapidly urbanizing region. In Uganda it is projected at 33 million urban dwellers by 2050. Investments characteristic with urbanization stimulate…
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The right to seeds access in alleviating hunger
Climate change and seeds ‘’Seeds are the soul of agriculture’’. This is a statement not far from the truth; these tiny plants are the lifeline of the food we consume everyday. However with the stark reality of climate change, the future of seeds is under siege. The harsh consequence of this reality has been…
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Jean Marc Sika: “The future of energy is green.”
Hivos East Africa’s Renewable Energy Program manager, Jean Marc Sika, was recently awarded the title of Monsieur le Grand Chancelier des Ordres burkinabè for his exceptional role in upscaling biogas and bio-digester technology in Burkina Faso. Hailed as one of the founding fathers of biogas in Burkina Faso, Jean Marc has shown astounding leadership, particularly…
