As a result of increased interest in women’ s development, microfinance has received considerable attention. Microfinance is seen by some as an effective way of giving women the chance to come out...Show moreAs a result of increased interest in women’ s development, microfinance has received considerable attention. Microfinance is seen by some as an effective way of giving women the chance to come out of poverty and empower themselves. Microfinance is heavily criticized by others since they believe it does not do any good to impoverished women. This study investigates whether microfinance contributes to women’s empowerment in Tanzania through a case study on BRAC Tanzania. This research has found that BRAC’s microfinance projects contribute to the empowerment of a selected group of Tanzanian women.Show less
The settling or, in fascist words, demographic policies Italy executed between 1935 and 1940 resulted in significant migratory flows to both Libya and East African domains: tens of thousands of...Show moreThe settling or, in fascist words, demographic policies Italy executed between 1935 and 1940 resulted in significant migratory flows to both Libya and East African domains: tens of thousands of farmers and manual labourers disembarked on colonial soil and got involved in one of the many plans the regime had devised to accommodate national low classes: farmsteads have been erected along Libya’s coastal region, construction sites have been opened in East Africa, where the regime promoted the building of roads connecting the main colonial centres. These projects were meant to be performed by national workforce and led to the formation of Italian settler communities some of which even managed to survive – at least for some years – the fall of the Italian empire. This paper aims at providing new insights on such societies and does so by means of a micro-historical examination of private accounts left by some of those settlers.Show less
Research master thesis | African Studies (research) (MA)
open access
This thesis examines the lives of two prominent artisan trade union organisers active in late-nineteenth century Sierra Leone: S.H.A. Case (1845-1901) and J.T. Ojukutu-Macauley (1846-1904). It...Show moreThis thesis examines the lives of two prominent artisan trade union organisers active in late-nineteenth century Sierra Leone: S.H.A. Case (1845-1901) and J.T. Ojukutu-Macauley (1846-1904). It argues that both men were deeply involved in the colony's middle-class social and religious life. This small and tightly-knit community transmitted a particular set of norms - an emphasis on self-improvement through education, a desire for social prestige- through informal networks, which Abner Cohen called the 'cult of eliteness'. These connnections provided both men with support for their endeavours to improve the social and economic position of the colony's artisans. While both men emphasised a distinct artisan identity and class consciousness, they also aspired to middle class status. This thesis shows how both men navigated the complex position of artisans vis-a-vis other wage workers and the white-collar middle class of the colony.Show less
The digital world and its relationship to history are ones of the most debated issues of our times as well as a major problem related to such relationship: the future of archives. In Italy the...Show moreThe digital world and its relationship to history are ones of the most debated issues of our times as well as a major problem related to such relationship: the future of archives. In Italy the debate is still in its infancy and this thesis places the case study of the Biblioteca IsIAO.Show less
Tanzania has for some reason always been an important partner in development cooperation for the Netherlands. The African country has always followed its own peculiar development path, being ruled...Show moreTanzania has for some reason always been an important partner in development cooperation for the Netherlands. The African country has always followed its own peculiar development path, being ruled by the same socialist president for over 20 years. Despite the fact that Tanzania was ruled as a one party state, for some reason the way the country was governed seemed to have had some sort of significant appeal to the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs. Did they try to work and cooperate alongside the Tanzanian government or did they let him continue his experiment as long as stability was ensured? Did the Dutch state care so much for Tanzania because they believed in Ujamaa, or at least parts of it? By combining these questions the thesis will show how Netherlands reacted to the economic effects of Julius Nyerere’s Ujamaa policy.Show less
This thesis serves to collate and analyse the most relevant literature on the relationship between remittances and economic growth by observing GDP increases attributed to the reception and use of...Show moreThis thesis serves to collate and analyse the most relevant literature on the relationship between remittances and economic growth by observing GDP increases attributed to the reception and use of remittances in developing countries. The findings conclude that across the literature similar themes and suggestions are repeated, and this paper distils these findings to two key factors which appear to garner the most benefit from remittances: (1) That remittances be facilitated; and (2) that remittances be utilised. If both conditions are met, we identify that remittances appear to help to economic growth, if these conditions are not met, remittances can be a hinderance to economic growth. The facilitation and utilisation of remittances can only be made possible by government intervention through remittance-based and other, macroeconomic policy. These policies can only be supported by a government which is democratic, corruption-free and is committed to good governance. Nigeria and Morocco are used as case studies to demonstrate this relationship as Nigeria has lax policies regarding remittances overall, while Morocco has strong facilitation policies, but poor utilisation of remittances for economic growth.Show less
Today around 2.5 billion people remain unbanked or underbanked, meaning they lack access to basic services such as checking accounts and loans. In addition, social entrepreneurs desperately need...Show moreToday around 2.5 billion people remain unbanked or underbanked, meaning they lack access to basic services such as checking accounts and loans. In addition, social entrepreneurs desperately need sustainable financial vehicles to stimulate economic growth from the bottom-up in underdeveloped countries. How to bring financial services to the doorstep of the poor has hence always been a question at the forefront of the global development industry. Since its inception in the 1970’s, the modern concept of microfinance has consequently drawn much attention to itself. At times, its pioneer father Muhammad Yunus has even been hailed as having invented the solution which would ultimately end global poverty. This thesis first examines microfinance in Kenya and evaluates its respective effectiveness in stimulating social entrepreneurship. It then includes social venture capital as a possible alternative to traditional impact investment tools and ultimately hints at a new combined direction in financing Africa.Show less
An explorative thesis that seeks to understand the extent to which foreign investment leads to economic development in Kenya. Using the Dutch floricultural sector present in Kenya as a case study,...Show moreAn explorative thesis that seeks to understand the extent to which foreign investment leads to economic development in Kenya. Using the Dutch floricultural sector present in Kenya as a case study, its effects on the Kenyan economy in terms of employment, wages, technology transfer and tax revenues are analyzed. While the sector contributes significantly in terms of employment and would arguably not exist without foreign investment, it has thus far failed to significantly improve the lives of its' employees, lead to technology transfers or raise additional tax revenues.Show less
This thesis outlines constraints and challenges faced by informal workers in Kenya. Informal workers in relation to authorities are highlighted by particularly investigating legalities concerning...Show moreThis thesis outlines constraints and challenges faced by informal workers in Kenya. Informal workers in relation to authorities are highlighted by particularly investigating legalities concerning informal workers. Whereas the informal economy Jua Kali, is adopted in the development plans as the Kenya Vision and is argued to have the potential to drive inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty, actual regulations show the opposite of inclusion. The Nairobi City Council is restrictive towards street vendors in the urban environment and authorities are abusive towards hawkers. Obtaining a licence is costly, time consuming, and legislation of licencing is contradictory; these legalities result in many street vendors choosing informality. The similar is observed for the small-scale business sector. Legislatory problems regarding the access to finance, education, courts, and instutional problems within ministery coordination result in the increase of workers preferring employment in informality.Show less
The year 2010 marks the beginning of a series of protests and uprisings in North Africa, which sparked a revolution that Western media would soon refer to as “The Arab Spring Uprisings”. The...Show moreThe year 2010 marks the beginning of a series of protests and uprisings in North Africa, which sparked a revolution that Western media would soon refer to as “The Arab Spring Uprisings”. The protests are mostly conducted by the youth of the MENA region who are discontent with the government. This generation realizes that due to unemployment, high inflation, poverty, human rights abuses and corruption they are caught in a vacuum, with no bright future with progress and evolution of their country and blame this on the Arab dictators. Tunisia and Morocco both experienced the Arab Spring differently in terms of violence by the state, but in both countries the protests are effective and big changes are promised. In Tunisia the Ben Ali Presidency is overthrown, while in Morocco King Mohammed VI remains king. Also, in both countries the desired democracy is established and democratic elections take place. However, the circumstances do not really change the civil lives. Unemployment remains a problem, police violence still occurs, the freedom and human rights are still violated and the rule of law does not change the situation in favour of the community. The frustrated youth seeks new ways to clear the void in their lives. In the same time period, the Islamic State is upcoming and recruits these frustrated youngsters. Especially Tunisian youngsters are susceptible for the promises of the Islamic State, as they are promised a future, with money, women and weapons. The official count of Tunisian foreign fighters is 6.000, while Morocco remains at the bottom of the list of foreign fighters, supplying officially 1.200 foreign fighters. The question is why there is such a big difference in number of supplied foreign fighters between these two countries. Trying to find an answer to this question this thesis inquires if the Arab Spring is the underlying cause. Therefore, this thesis’ research question is How have the results of the Arab Spring caused the extreme flow of frustrated Tunisian youth to the Islamic State, while a similar country as Morocco remains at the bottom of the list of Islamic State’s foreign fighters? The frustration-aggression theory of John Dollard and Robert E. Miller and colleagues is applied to explain the incentive of young Tunisians and Moroccans to go the Islamic State. By analysing the contemporary situation in Tunisia and Morocco in terms of unemployment, state repression and the influence of Saudi Arabia, this thesis concludes that the Arab Spring is the driver for the frustration amongst the youth, leading up to expression of aggression, wherefore the Islamic State provides space to utter it. Tunisia’s institutional failure created by the Arab Spring drives Tunisian youngsters frustrated and they are now either planning new uprisings, or are leaving for the Islamic State. The government is still dealing with the collapse of the institutions, therefore is not able to handle the frustrated youth. Morocco is not left in institutional chaos and can now focus on the terrorist threat, with a strong security system. It can brace the country against the Islamic State. According to this thesis, this is what makes the difference between the foreign fighters’ amount of Tunisia and Morocco.Show less
This thesis concerns the developments in the Western Sahara after the Spanish withdrawal of colonial authority. It takes into account the extertion of influence of non-African nations in the Cold...Show moreThis thesis concerns the developments in the Western Sahara after the Spanish withdrawal of colonial authority. It takes into account the extertion of influence of non-African nations in the Cold War context and especially elaborates on the approach of the Organization of African Unity in order to solve this dispute. The analysis moreover includes relevant transcripts of diplomatic meetings between Henry Kissinger and other important political figures in the years after the conflict´s emergence, which undermine the international significance.Show less
Even though Zimbabwe has regular elections, the country is often regarded as an authoritarian regime. In this research, Zimbabwe's results in the EIU index of democracy are analyzed. The main...Show moreEven though Zimbabwe has regular elections, the country is often regarded as an authoritarian regime. In this research, Zimbabwe's results in the EIU index of democracy are analyzed. The main question to answer is to what extent is Zimbabwe democratic or authoritarian and how does the media influence this image of Zimbabwe.Show less
The DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to...Show moreThe DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to discover whether the modern, industrialised countries play any role in the perpetuation of the conflict situation in the DRC regarding the exploitation of 'Coltan' which is a widely used mineral for the manufacturing of smartphones and other electronic devices. The historical legacies of the DRC will be explored, an analysis of the conflict situation in the eastern provinces of the DRC will be provided and the commodity chain of coltan will be discussed.Show less
This thesis utilizes a comparative perspective in analyzing the perceived differences between how people with albinism (PWA) are treated in Benin, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo ...Show moreThis thesis utilizes a comparative perspective in analyzing the perceived differences between how people with albinism (PWA) are treated in Benin, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, by examining the variables of ethno-religious composition and socio-economic conditions in the countries. This research has shown that although the differences might be small, they are of crucial importance in how a PWA is perceived in these countries and how these notions have changed over time; from PWA being revered in pre-colonial Yorubaland and the old Kongo Kingdom, to today’s experiences of stigma and discrimination in name-calling, mutilations, and killings. Similarly, a stark contrast also exists amongst some of the countries – from PWA in Benin being revered, to PWA fearing for their lives in Tanzania due to a higher demand for PWA body parts to be used in witchcraft. Tanzania is also the African country that has garnered the most international attention for its treatment of PWA, and although the government and the state attempt to limit the extreme discrimination, it continues to persist. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that the problems of stigma and discrimination as experienced by PWA are not limited to Tanzania, but exist all over the African continent.Show less
