Nairobi
Kenya is a beacon in East Africa: the largest national economy, despite many problems a functioning democracy with an active civil society, but above all a young country with well-educated, committed people.
The foundation strengthens democracy and civic engagement in Kenya. It promotes entrepreneurship and free, fair trade. And it is a strong advocate for human rights.
At the same time, Nairobi is home to the Global Partnership Hub, the centre of excellence for development cooperation. The Hub generates knowledge and innovative concepts from the Global South - for a better future for North and South.
News
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Why we need to take sides
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom opens its new office in Johannesburg at a time when there is much debate about the value of that very freedom. A value, that is indispensable for the self determined development of human beings and for democracy. The list of dictatorial regimes that oppress their people remains consistently long. African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Libya and the Central African Republic are consumed by brutal civil wars.
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Africa’s growing geo-political influence
Three back-to-back visits by major world powers to Africa ahead of February’s African Union Summit follow a flurry of important diplomatic visits in 2022, including by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Together, they signal attention to Africa’s rising political and economic bargaining power globally, which has been brought into sharp focus by the Russian war in Ukraine. “It’s a sign of increased attention to the continent.”
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Concerns rife over shrinking press freedom in Kenya
Media practioners in Kenya have raised concerns over growing threats and attacks on journalists and media organisations with the regime change since September this year. In what is seen as direct onslaught on the media and infringement on press freedom, journalists, editors and media associations say there is course for worry as the media and journalists are unable to execute their duties professionally and independently since the August 2022 General Election.
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New office and hub of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Nairobi
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation will have a strong presence to promote democracy, human rights, entrepreneurship and free trade in Kenya. At the opening of our new office in Nairobi, our chairman Prof Paqué states: Kenya and the whole of Africa have the chance to take a big economic step forward. The liberal family will support them on the ground. Read the speech in full here.
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Outsider shakes up Kenya's election campaign: Why is the exotic Wajackoyah doing so well?
George Wajackoyah is an enigmatic personality in many respects: both his appearance and his theses are provocative. But why does the exotic Wajackoyah go down so well? His success highlights the dilemma facing Kenyan voters in the presidential elections on 9 August: The candidates of the political establishment do not represent a bold departure that Kenya so desperately needs.
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CLASH OF SYSTEMS: African Perceptions of the European Union and China Engagement
“The African survey participants hold up a mirror to European policy on Africa and expose Europe’s sometimes still paternalistic and romantic view of Africa. Europe's belief in the superiority of its own values contrasts with the pragmatic view of Africans on the performance and behaviour of the two partners (the EU and China)," says Stefan Schott, FNF East Africa Project Director.
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East Africa needs a liberal restart to protect and promote civil liberties
The past year has been hard for East Africans. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the health and economies of our nations. As the threat of further waves persist and international travel, tourism and business remains largely on hold, things will continue to be difficult. We face a long road ahead in navigating a path to economic recovery and a challenging vaccine roll-out.
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Educating Africa for the Future
Africa in many respects is at a crossroads. Decades after the end of colonial rule, much of Africa‘s great potential is unrealized. At the root of this is the crisis in the education sector. Education infrastructure is collapsing in many countries amid an increase in school enrolment, rising cost of education, high teacher shortages in both primary and secondary schools, and reduced public funding for basic and higher education.
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Conflict Minerals Over a Decade of Effort and Impact
Nairobi, 24 July 2023 - Over the past twelve years, international organisations and many states have endeavoured to combat the illicit trade in conflict minerals from Africa, particularly tin, tungsten, and tantalum (3T) sourced from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs). Despite these efforts, illegal mining and trade of conflict minerals continue to persist. To assess the progress made in tackling this issue, the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom (FNF) commissioned a group of experienced industry experts to conduct a comprehensive study.
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We have an obligation to help democrats in East Africa achieve a liberal restart: Here’s how
The COVID-19 pandemic has not just devastated the health and economies of nations. It has profoundly threatened civil liberties and the fundamentals of democracy throughout the world. Nowhere has this been more apparent than in East Africa where authoritarians such as John Magufuli and Yoweri Museveni have used the opportunity presented by the pandemic to strengthen their grip on power and further erode civil freedoms in their respective countries.
