Open access: academic publishing and its implications for knowledge equity in Kenya

Traditional, subscription-based scientific publishing has its limitations: often, articles are inaccessible to the majority of researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where journal subscriptions or one-time access fees are cost-prohibitive. Open access (OA) publishing, in which journals provide online access to articles free of charge, breaks this barrier and allows unrestricted access to scientific and scholarly information to researchers all over the globe. At the same time, one major limitation to OA is a high publishing cost that is placed on authors. Following recent developments to OA publishing policies in the UK and even LMICs, this article highlights the current status and future challenges of OA in Africa. We place particular emphasis on Kenya, where multidisciplinary efforts to improve access have been established. We note that these efforts in Kenya can be further strengthened and potentially replicated in other African countries, with the goal of elevating the visibility of African research and improving access for African researchers to global research, and, ultimately, bring social and economic benefits to the region. We (1) offer recommendations for overcoming the challenges of implementing OA in Africa and (2) call for urgent action by African governments to follow the suit of high-income countries like the UK and Australia, mandating OA for publicly-funded research in their region and supporting future research into how OA might bring social and economic benefits to Africa

An ethical assessment of human adaptation to annual floods in Mongu's Barotse Floodplain and its impct on environment

The main aim of this research was to carry out an ethical assessment of the manner in which humans living in Mongu’s Barotse floodplain have adapted to annual floods and how these strategies have affected the human and natural environment. The methodology of the study was a descriptive study using qualitative methods and involving an ethical evaluation. Primary data was collected using observation, in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The total sample of 90 was comprised of Mongu’s Barotse floodplain residents, local leaders, and officials from government and non-governmental organizations. The theoretical framework for the study was the environmental land ethic theory and an extended form of utilitarian theory and an ethical assessment of the data was made on the basis of these two theories. The findings of the study revealed that flood events have increased in occurrence and in extent covering areas that never experienced floods before in Mongu’s Barotse floodplain. These floods have had diverse impacts on both the human inhabitants and the natural environment that are both positive and negative. Among the positive impacts were rejuvenating soil fertility, easing movements, increasing fishing and promoting the local culture in the Kuomboka cultural ceremony. The negative impacts included destruction of houses and property, crops, grazing lands, reduced cultivable land, siltation/sedimentation and submerging of burial sites. The study has also revealed that floods have increased epidemics and waterborne diseases.The study findings further revealed that the humans in Mongu’s Barotse floodplain have adapted to the annual floods by building villages on mounds, raising the grounds of villages, vacating the flooded plain to higher grounds, fishing, making advance preparations in agriculture, keeping cattle, hunting and conducting economic enterprises. The study concluded that both the land ethic and the extended form of utilitarian theory justified the adaptation strategies undertaken by the inhabitants of Mongu’s Barotse floodplain.Based on the findings, a number of recommendations were made to the government and the BRE as to how improvements might be made for the future

Understanding the State of Financial Inclusion in Namibia

This study investigates the state of financial inclusion in Namibia using access and usage indicators over selected time periods during which data is available. Financial inclusion is defined as the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low income segments of society. It also implies enabling access to financial resources and services for economic agents, especially, those on the lower wrung of the income ladder at an affordable cost. All access and usage indicators show an increasing trend meaning that banking institutions played a significant role in ensuring that the majoring of Namibians use financial services that are available. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Namibia, Access Indicators, Usage Indicator

Implementing Cross-border Payment, Clearing and Settlement Systems: Lessons from the Southern African Development Community

This paper investigated the experience in implementing cross-border payment, clearing and settlement systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Such systems are critical in the circulation of money and the general economic activities in the region. In line with the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment, central banks in the region are to co-operate in order to define and implement a cross-border payment strategy.  Regional blocks that are in the process of implementing regional integration projects can learn from the implementation process in the SADC region. Keywords: Southern African Development Community, Cross-border, Payment Systems, Success Factors, Challenge

Analyzing Trends Towards Phasing Out Cheques in the Namibian Banking Sector

The paper analyzed trends towards phasing out cheques in Namibia using a quantitative approach consisting of time series/trend analysis, mean, tables, graphs and correlation coefficient. Findings show that cheques are falling domestically and globally and are associated with huge drawbacks. Although the correlation coefficient is -0.73 between domestic cheque volume and global cheque volume, global cheques are decreasing. In addition, although the United States is still the dominant user of the cheque payment instrument globally, the usage is declining year-on-year. It is recommended amongst others that the industry can consider further increasing the cost of using a cheque, further reduce the clearing cycle, allowing a depositor to have quick access of funds from a deposited cheque, introducing penalties on cheque float if it takes time to phase out cheques in Namibia. Keywords: Cheques, Phase Out, Cheque Strategy, National Payment Syste

Understanding the State of Financial Inclusion in Namibia

This study investigates the state of financial inclusion in Namibia using access and usage indicators over selected time periods during which data is available. Financial inclusion is defined as the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low income segments of society. It also implies enabling access to financial resources and services for economic agents, especially, those on the lower wrung of the income ladder at an affordable cost. All access and usage indicators show an increasing trend meaning that banking institutions played a significant role in ensuring that the majoring of Namibians use financial services that are available. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Namibia, Access Indicators, Usage Indicator

Constraints on Promoting Mobile Banking in Namibia

The purpose of the study was to establish constraints or challenges on promoting mobile banking Namibia. Data collection instrument used is interviews while data analysis took the form of themes, graphs and tables. The findings indicate that key constraints are connectivity and interoperability followed by regulation, fees, customer education and data sharing. Recommendations such as investment in additional base stations and other related infrastructures as well bringing about interoperability in the Namibian National Payment System are some of the ways that can be implemented so as to promote mobile banking in Namibia

Encouraging Innovation in Organizations - Lessons from First National Bank Group

This study investigates innovation in organizations with special reference to First National Bank Group. Innovation includes ideas, investment, development and implementation with the view to realize benefits for an organization. The literature predicts that innovation leads to an improvement in economic performance of organizations. It also assumes that persistent innovators are mainly organizations of foreign origin with headquarters in other countries. First National Bank of Namibia performed well since 2006 from a financial perspective partly because of innovation efforts that were rolled-out. Incorporating innovation within the performance management system also contributed positively in the process. Keywords: Innovation, First National Bank, Banking, Economic Performance, Organization

Successful Implementation of Domestic Card Scheme in Namibia in View of Global Trends

The paper establishes key considerations for successful implementation of a domestic card scheme in Namibia in view of global trends. A qualitative case study approach was employed because interbank domestic card schemes are not fully understood or common in Namibia. Related literature was reviewed and key themes such as strategic partnerships, low cost, ability to build services for the local market, standards, and success factors were further discussed. It can be concluded that there are considerations that should be taken into account before a domestic card scheme is implemented. The recommendation is that these considerations, ceteris paribus, need to be considered before any domestic card scheme is implemented in the Namibian card payment industry. Keywords: Interbank, Domestic Card Scheme, National Payment System, Bank

A Quantitative Investigation into Determinants of House Prices in Namibia

The purpose of this paper was to empirically examine determinants of property or house prices in Namibia. Results show that it is only land supply that has a significant impact on property or house prices in Namibia. Government intervention is needed to stem the increasing house prices in Namibia. First, it should be made mandatory for a serviced plot in town to remain idle only for a period of up to 5 years beyond which the piece of land can be taken over by a local authority. Second, government should pump more funds via local authorities so that huge amount of virgin lands in local authority areas can be serviced. Thirdly, the construction industry should be properly regulated to prevent buyers from being exposed to high prices of houses by builders who charge anything, in labor cost, as a proportion of total cost. Keywords: House Prices, Determinants, Namibia, Quantitative Investigation.