Opinion Pieces

Across much of the developing world, and particularly in Africa, the relationship between sovereign debt and food sovereignty is no longer abstract, it is a pressing reality with deep implications for sustainable development, nutrition, and resilience.

According to the United Nations, global public debt reached a record $97 trillion in 2023, with developing countries holding about $29 trillion, roughly 30 % of the total, up sharply from 16 % in 2010. In Africa, the total debt stock is currently around $2 trillion and the median public debt-to-GDP ratio is around 62 %, reflecting the growing burden of debt servicing on national budgets.

Despite agriculture employing a majority of rural households in Kenya, it remains highly vulnerable to rising input costs, weak rural infrastructure, and climate variability. Among the most persistent constraints is energy access. While Kenya has built a global reputation as a renewable energy leader at the grid level, with around 80 – 90 % of its electricity generated from renewable sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar, this success does not translate into reliable, affordable energy for agribusiness firms, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. This disconnect represents both a risk and a major opportunity. Renewable energy is no longer just an environmental add-on for agriculture but a core productivity input that can strengthen resilience across food systems, reduce emissions, and unlock value addition.

A case in point, between 2020 and March 2025, according to Farm Africa, over 21,500 smallholder farmers in Embu and Tharaka Nithi achieved 24,945 tCO₂e emitted reductions and the sale of an equivalent number of Carbon Removal Units (CRUs) under the VCM. My estimate of the revenue from this initiative would be US $249,450 at ~US $10/tCO₂e. If this is the case, with concerted attention to this endeavour, more benefits could be simultaneously attained for humans and nature. Carbon finance presents both an opportunity and a challenge. This article explores the benefits, opportunities and challenges in Kenya’s coffee sector.

In the heart of Nairobi lie Kibera and Mathare, two of Kenya’s most iconic informal settlements. Densely populated, economically vibrant, and socio-politically complex. These settlements are home to hundreds of thousands of residents who navigate daily challenges that range from poor infrastructure to unreliable access to basic services. The overcrowding ratio for the two settlements ranges between 6-8 people per 6x8ft room significantly exceeds the UN Habitats threshold of less than 3 persons per room. Among the many pressing concerns in these areas, two issues stand out: food safety and social  protection. While extensive programming has aimed to improve food access through social assistance interventions, the quality and safety of that food are still seriously overlooked.