Role of Globalization in Development of Sub Saharan Africa (Term Paper Sample)

ROLE OF GLOBALIZATION ON KENYA’S DEVELOPMENT
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Role of Globalization on Kenya’s Development
Introduction
For a long Kenya was subjected to poverty and underdevelopment. To a larger extent, the underdevelopment and poverty are attributed to poor governance and malpractice in the public service. Kenya faces many challenges in the process to alleviate poverty and build a healthy economy.
Despite the challenges encountered in Kenya, the phenomenon of globalization is changing this region. However, the link between globalization and poverty reduction may vary from one country to another. These differences can be attributed to how well a country is integrated globally. A state that has opened its borders to inter-country trade is better integrated than that which is rigid. Peace and security are also crucial in determining how important aspects of globalization contribute to poverty reduction in Africa.
Discussion
There is as much impact of globalization in rural Kenya as there is in urban areas. In rural areas, it is found in simple technologies adopted in the agricultural sector and communication. Availability of internet in rural Kenya provides research solutions and communication. Farmers and business people can use the internet to get relevant information. Farmers may learn from another farmer miles away through online platforms. With the availability of internet services, the learning space is widened and can be exploited by urban and rural populations in Kenya. The growth of international trade, the spread of advanced technology and the proliferation of non-governmental organizations contributing significantly to the reduction of poverty (House-Soremokun & Falola 2011, p. 21).
Before 2009, Thika road in Kenya was the most congested road in Kenya given that it is the primary connection between Nairobi and the industrial town of Thika. The government of Kenya funded the 28-mile dual carriage expansion into the superhighway that it is today, partially financed by the African Development Bank and the government of China through loans (Teipelke 2014, p. 2).
Teipelke (2014) analyzes the question of the economic significance of the Thika superhighway. In his thesis, he found out that when “inter- and inter-regional effects of transportation” are considered, urban growth may occur (p. 9). The cooperation between the Kenyan government and China, an element of globalization, changed the lives of many investors and small business entrepreneurs along the highway. The travel cost to Nairobi CBD dropped significantly. Casual laborers from Mathare slum who form a majority of the poor in the city now afforded the fare to town. After the completion of the Superhighway, Business people move with ease to and from town
The government of Kenya has also come up with policies that favor the agriculture sector. The policies are for poor farmers who are encouraged to commercialize their agricultural products. The government of Kenya has consequently allocated funds for agricultural research to improve farming and processing technologies. The change in the policies is to ensure that agriculture remains a central economic development component. (Bigman 2002, p.135).
The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute has the mandate to ensure that farmers have access to better technologies that increase the quality of their farm produce. The result of the assistance accorded to farmers in the past years is better compared to the days when the government provided little research and technological support. More farmers have mechanized their farms and commercialized their activities. Kenya is now exporting farm produce all over the world. More farmers are now enlightened and are up-to-date with current technology. Today a farmer in Kenya can research on the internet, communicate with clients abroad and keep track of market trends.
International organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and embassies of over 100 countries are in Kenya. One of the few United Nations' habitats is in Kenya. By this fact, Kenya has more international conferences that most countries in Africa. When these meetings happen, the government collects more revenue. The revenue is after that channeled into development projects. Local and international nongovernmental agencies provide care to thousands of refugees who seek asylum in Kenya. Funds from donor agencies are channeled into the Kenyan market for local NGOs for slum upgrade, agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure development.
Education program in Kenya is majorly funded through collaboration with other foreign governments. By collaborating with education p...