Author: eMKambo

From number of beneficiaries to knowledge mobilization and use

Posted on by eMKambo

In what probably signifies a new approach to achieving socio-economic development, a few policy makers and development agencies in developing countries are beginning to move from measuring success through the number of beneficiaries. Instead, they are reluctantly shifting to their focus to how the so-called beneficiaries mobilize and use knowledge associated with projects introduced in Read more about From number of beneficiaries to knowledge mobilization and use[…]

When will developing countries stop importing knowledge?

Posted on by eMKambo

It is lamentable that, in spite of setting up hundreds of universities and research institutes, developing countries continue to import knowledge.  For instance, African countries are not just importing equipment and finished products from the West and East but also importing knowledge in the form of prescriptions on how to use those imports. Each imported Read more about When will developing countries stop importing knowledge?[…]

More reasons for decolonizing banking systems in developing countries

Posted on by eMKambo

While some developing economies are evolving rapidly, local banks are clutching onto colonial identities. For instance, in most African countries banking as a practice has kept colonial labels such as Commercial Bank, Merchant Bank and Building Society, among other categories whose meaning and differences are not clear to ordinary people. This identity crisis, with colonial Read more about More reasons for decolonizing banking systems in developing countries[…]

Using informal markets to shape a developing country’s knowledge agenda

Posted on by eMKambo

The world over, many resources are spent on conferences, agricultural shows and summits like the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in the first week of September 2018 in China. However, what happens before and after these events is more important. On the other hand, while funders and development agencies continue to determine socio-economic Read more about Using informal markets to shape a developing country’s knowledge agenda[…]

Nine types of agricultural-related entrepreneurs in developing countries

Posted on by eMKambo

eMKambo has invested time and effort in understanding and classifying different archetypes of entrepreneurs in developing countries. While this effort has focused mainly on agriculture-related entrepreneurship, it has also embraced diverse socio-economic sectors. Unless, development actors, policy makers and financial institutions characterize economic actors in line with their different roles, it will remain difficult to Read more about Nine types of agricultural-related entrepreneurs in developing countries[…]

The character-building role of African ‘informal’ economies

Posted on by eMKambo

People who co-exist with Kombi drivers in Zimbabwe, Matatu drivers in Nairobi’s traffic jammed roads, boda-boda motorcyclists in Kampala and similar situations in African cities have always wondered if those drivers are from the same mother. This is due to their character which is exactly the same. ‘Informal’ traders and MSMEs also share the same Read more about The character-building role of African ‘informal’ economies[…]

Nudging universities in developing countries to harness community based inquiry

Posted on by eMKambo

Contrary to prevailing formal approaches, knowledge sharing in most rural African communities is embedded in the way people work. For instance, knowledge sharing happens as farmers select seed or choose livestock breeds.  It also happens as they milk cows, plant crops, weed, harvest, store and market.  They do not stop and say, “Now let us Read more about Nudging universities in developing countries to harness community based inquiry[…]

Asking and answering fundamental questions through informal markets

Posted on by eMKambo

Street markets or roadside food markets have remained a permanent feature in most developing countries. The fact that these markets continue to flourish alongside emerging shopping malls shows they occupy a unique position in commercial activities.  Informal markets were previously designed for disadvantaged, low income households with ad hoc incomes who were considered not able Read more about Asking and answering fundamental questions through informal markets[…]

Stimulating more value by tracking what is happening

Posted on by eMKambo

Tracking local activities and keeping daily updates does not just enable communities to practice what they preach. It also helps them to increase awareness and value for the wider society. When farming and fishing communities are able to track local activities, they build their own capacity to analyze what is going on and identify next Read more about Stimulating more value by tracking what is happening[…]

The merits of an effective marketplace for agricultural evidence

Posted on by eMKambo

Discovering and maintaining agricultural commodities markets is not enough for developing countries. They have to build a culture of synthesizing and sharing evidence in real-time. Absence of a culture of synthesizing information and knowledge from diverse sources remains a big challenge among farmers, economic actors, consumers and policy makers in the majority of developing countries. Read more about The merits of an effective marketplace for agricultural evidence[…]