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This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the application of user-led behavioral research to improve the effectiveness of development interventions. Using a study on mango value chains in Hola, Kenya, the document demonstrates how understanding the specific needs and behaviors of small-scale farmers can explain the failure of technology adoption and help design more targeted, cost-effective solutions.

This research paper examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) act as both barriers and enablers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) attempting to enter global value chains (GVCs) coordinated by multinational corporations (MNCs), with a specific focus on South Africa and Kenya as regional economic gateways.

EcoPost, founded by Lorna Rutto in 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya, recycles plastic waste into durable building materials to combat urban pollution and deforestation. The company targets 1 million kilos of recycling annually, employs over 2,250 people (including 2,000 casual collectors), and provides health benefits and above-average wages. By replacing timber, EcoPost helps mitigate the loss of 5,000 hectares of Kenyan forest per year.

This synthesis paper by FSD Africa examines the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach within the Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Network. Based on seven case studies, the document provides guidelines for market facilitators to achieve systemic, sustainable, and scalable change in financial markets to reduce poverty. It emphasizes the need for facilitators to act as neutral, technically competent third parties who address root causes of market failure rather than symptoms, while managing the tensions between donor requirements and the flexibility needed for market systems development.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the diverse and often indirect roles women play in violent extremist organisations in Kenya, specifically al-Shabaab. Based on 108 interviews, it argues that women provide an 'invisible infrastructure' of support, acting as recruiters, spies, and facilitators, while direct perpetration of violence remains limited. The document identifies a complex interplay of drivers for women's involvement, including personal relationships, economic hardship, government neglect, and the influence of radical religious teachings.

This report examines the specific impacts of violent extremism on women in Kenya and evaluates the gender sensitivity of national and local responses. Based on 108 interviews, it argues that current counter-terrorism and prevention efforts are largely gender-neutral, failing to address the unique psychological, physical, and economic vulnerabilities of women.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) explores how citizen science—the collaboration between scientists and volunteers to answer real-world questions—can support the implementation, monitoring, and definition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It details the different types of citizen science projects, their benefits for data collection and public engagement, and strategies to overcome challenges regarding data quality and statistical validity.

This case study examines the development and scaling of M-Shwari, a mobile-based savings and loans product in Kenya created through a partnership between the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) and Safaricom. It details how FSD Kenya acted as a market facilitator, providing research and technical expertise to help CBA design a product tailored to low-income consumers, ultimately expanding formal financial access to millions of Kenyans.

This case study describes a 2013 capacity-building initiative led by the Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) in Kenya to train state utilities on the design and implementation of PV-diesel-hybrid mini-grids to reduce reliance on expensive and polluting diesel generators in rural areas.

This case study examines FSD Kenya's efforts to strengthen semi-formal rural delivery channels and link savings groups to formal financial services using a 'making markets work for the poor' (M4P) approach. It details the transition from donor-funded pilots to fee-for-service training models and the use of technology and banking partnerships to increase financial inclusion for rural populations and women.

This case study by the Institute for Security Studies examines the integration of women into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the broader security sector. It analyzes the gap between formal policy frameworks—including the 2010 Constitution and UN Security Council Resolution 1325—and the practical reality of gender inequality, patriarchal institutional culture, and the limited advancement of women into combat and leadership roles.

This research paper analyzes the evolving partnership between Japan and Africa, focusing on the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). It highlights Japan's shift from a primary focus on aid to a broader economic strategy involving trade and investment, while navigating geopolitical competition with China and seeking international support for UN Security Council reform.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political and security crisis in Burundi triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in 2015. It details the historical context of the Burundian civil war, the CNDD-FDD's consolidation of power through repression and the marginalization of opposition parties, and the internal fractures within the ruling party. The document examines the failure of constitutional amendments, the role of the security sector in suppressing dissent, and the subsequent impact on civil society and the media.

This case study describes a capacity-building initiative led by Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) in November 2013 to support the Government of Kenya in transitioning rural diesel-powered mini-grids to PV-diesel hybrid systems.

This research paper analyzes the outcomes of the 2015 World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, arguing that the conference effectively signaled the end of the Doha Development Round. The author examines the geopolitical shifts causing this failure and proposes a transition toward plurilateral agreements and the integration of megaregional trade deals into the WTO framework to maintain the viability of the multilateral trading system.

This statement by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for nearly 20 years and played a pivotal role in establishing the foundations of international environmental law.

A statement by African civil society representatives expressing disappointment over the sudden cancellation of the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Heads of State and Government Forum, originally scheduled for 11 September 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the drivers and types of insecurity in Kenya, arguing that while al-Shabaab receives significant attention, armed criminal groups and the nature of Kenyan politics pose more widespread threats. The document examines the role of state-led violence, historical land injustices, and regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa in shaping the country's security landscape.

This report by Z/Yen Group Limited for FSD Africa analyzes the role of onshore and offshore financial centres, with a specific focus on African cities. It utilizes the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) to categorize centres by connectivity, diversity, and specialty, while providing a roadmap for African centres to improve their competitiveness through infrastructure, business environment reforms, and human capital development.

The SEI Strategy 2015–2019 outlines the Stockholm Environment Institute's framework for bridging science and policy to support sustainable development. The strategy focuses on enhancing scientific research through new 'SEI Initiatives', expanding policy engagement to include 'hard-to-reach' stakeholders like the private sector, and strengthening capacity development across individual, organizational, and institutional levels. It also details the enabling infrastructure required for delivery, including communications, ICT tools, financial management, and a custom monitoring system (PMEC).