Kenya’s Prime cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi gives a speech during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku on November 13, 2024. [AFP] At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, last September, the world fell short of its $1.3 trillion (Sh167.7 trillion) annual climate finance goal for developing nations, securing just $300 million (Sh38.7 billion). While this highlighted the long road to climate resilience, it also spotlighted an unlikely but promising partnership between Kenya and Azerbaijan, two nations poised to bridge their worlds through trade, culture, and innovation. For many Kenyans, Azerbaijan remains unfamiliar— “Azer…what?” or “Is that a country?” are common responses. Yet,…
Author: By Noah Kipkemboi
Youths during anti-tax protests in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Africa is poised to dominate the future of consumer spending, which will be shaped by key metrics such as high population and robust economic growth. According to the Africa Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook report by the African Development Bank, in 2025, the growth in 24 African countries led by Djibouti, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Libya and South Sudan, is expected to exceed five per cent. Africa will also account for 12 of the world’s top 20 fastest-growing economies. At the centre of this growth is Africa’s fast-growing population, currently standing at 1.54 billion…