How Africa’s power politics became a high stakes affair - The EastAfrican

Author: Kathryn OmwandhoPublished on: July 17, 2026Country: Ghana

Politics

Experts gathered in Accra discussed the rising cost of politics in Africa, which locks out most citizens from elections. Candidate fees vary widely, from $155 in Kenya to $40,000 in Somalia. Binaifer Nowrojee, president of Open Society Foundations, noted that money now determines who enters politics and whose interests are heard.

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