Beyond the Bike - Monetary Policy in Africa
When my old boss told me that observing UK inflation flying above 3% would be an exciting moment in my career as an economist in London, I knew it was time to leave. Most African policymakers, meanwhile, would be delighted to see single digit inflation. I’ve discussed the challenges of formulating monetary policy as well as for the broader economy with two central bankers en route so far…
Brian Khan sits on the South Africa Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee. A former academic at the prestigious University of Cape Town, he kindly agreed to see me at the SARB’s Pretoria HQ before I set off in July last year. Stephen Kabayo, meanwhile, is head of financial markets at the Bank of Uganda (BoU). A long term stalwart at the Bank, his career spanning 3 decades, I spoke to him & his head of research Jimmy Appa in Kampala earlier this month.
Author with Brian Khan (July 2011). Questions over ID of author at BoU, Feb 2012.Stephen Kabako at BoU – I had spoken at his son’s school the day before; Jimmy Appa in the Monetary Policy Committee Room
read more...»Beyond the Bike - The Importance of Remittances
Joseph is 29 years old and makes a living selling vehicle parts in the dusty trucker town of Igawu in Southern Tanzania. When he approached me during my breakfast and flashed 2 fresh $100 bills, I was naturally interested to know where they came from. I offered him a ride north to find out…
read more...»Beyond the Bike - What is the value of life in Africa?
In the UK, the Department of Transport uses a figure of £1.2m per human life when carrying out cost benefit analysis for new transport projects, for example the building of a new, safer road. I’m not sure the road agencies in Africa attempt the same level of analysis but perhaps it is a useful concept to explain road safety, or the lack of it…
read more...»Beyond the Bike - The Value of Money
“Mzungu, show me the muni!” is the constant request from kids that have greeted me on the side on the road in Malawi. Three questions spring to mind from these experiences: 1) Have all the kids been watching too much Jerry Maguire 2) What is money and what is its primary function in this part of the world? 3) Would giving the kids or anyone here money help them?
read more...»The Bicycle - A merit good and an integral part of sustainable transport solutions?
A recent economic study1 found that bicycle ownership can boost household income in sub-Saharan Africa by 35%. I may be biased given my passion for cycling but I think there are indeed some very strong economic arguments for encouraging more bicycles both in the developing and the developed world.
The bicycle: more than just a mode of transport
Beyond the Bike - Video of the First Two Weeks
Stuart Block’s epic journey through Africa on his Economic Cycle is now two weeks old and there is a super short video here.
Remember you can keep in touch with Stuart via twitter and also on Facebook. Stuart will be sending through regular economics blogs to the Tutor2u web site as the year progresses.
Beyond the Bike - Stuart’s Epic Economic Cycle
Stuart Block, an economics teacher at Cranleigh School and tutor2u presenter/blogger is just days away from a cycle of a lifetime. He is making final preparations to cycle from Cape Town to London over the course of the next year. It will be a fantastic journey and at tutor2u we’re excited to be partnering Stuart and his team as they write about their experiences on the road and with many different communities.
Here are some important links to follow:
Beyond the Bike - the main web page for Stuart’s expedition including links to fund-raising projects
The Economic Cycle - this is a blog that will be aimed at A-level & undergraduate students and teachers and aims to explore some of the fundamental economics principles that underlie the everyday actions of societies that Stuart will be passing through, ranging from the most basic Africa market operating outside of the formal economy to high level international policymaking. An ongoing theme will be exploring the role that education plays in economic development. Look out for an RES essay competition title on this crucial issue when the essay titles are released later on in the autumn.
Watch out for the main weekly blog which will be sent out to colleagues via our regular teacher newsletter.
Fans of Twitter might like to follow Stuart here. And there is also an open group on Facebook - click here
The whole of the tutor2u team send their very best wishes to Stuart as he embarks on his journey!
