NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 12— Kenya may face a difficult path if it seeks to match Singapore’s level of development, but the country has the human attributes needed to drive extraordinary economic growth, according to Duke University Professor Hiroyuki Hino.

📻 Breaking It Down

Hino acknowledged that many Kenyans remain skeptical about comparisons between Kenya and Singapore, arguing that the Southeast Asian city-state represents an ambitious development target.

He, however, said the gap should not discourage Kenya from pursuing an ambitious long-term development agenda.

“I am told many Kenyans are skeptical, believing Singapore is too high a target,” Hino said.

📌 What You Need to Know

“I agree reaching its level of development in 30 to 40 years will be difficult.”

Hino pointed to the significant difference in income per person between the two countries to illustrate the scale of the challenge facing Kenya.

According to the professor, Singapore’s income per person exceeded US$80,000 last year, compared with slightly more than US$2,000 in Kenya.

The difference demonstrates the scale of economic transformation required for Kenya to reach Singapore’s current level of prosperity.

Despite the gap, Hino argued that Kenya should not abandon ambitious development targets.

He said Kenyans possess personal attributes that could help drive rapid and sustained economic growth.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya