An economist with a relentless entrepreneurial streak and a fascination with diverse cultures, Prajakta Kharkar Nigam has worked with three central banks, lived in five countries, speaks several languages, and is a brand new mom. For a living, she LEGOs with Greek alphabets, economic variables, and fancy-sounding financial jargon. (Any resulting mathematical models are purely coincidental and intend no harm.)
Yet, she is always in pursuit of “eureka” moments that come from running her life-experiments, some of which have become viable ventures. Originally from India, Prajakta is the founder of Milart Fairtrade Designer Jewelry, a social enterprise she started while she was an ODI Fellow in Kampala. Through international outreach and ecommerce, this organization empowers women artisans and jewelry designers in East Africa and India. In 2016, she is also launching JoeyPod, a mobile start-up that allows nursing mothers in 50 cities to find the nearest feeding room at their fingertips, literally. Armed with an analytical mind, solid education, crisp communication, and a perpetual quest for insights, Prajakta enjoys leading her teams across time zones.
She currently lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband Shashank and daughter Sanaa.
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Reflections of an ODI Fellow
Reflections and observations of an ODI Fellow on socio-economic and financial events in Uganda during her two year posting.
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Overview
Between September 2011 and September 2013, I worked as an economist at the Bank of Uganda in Kampala. Every day, Ugandan society amused me, enraged me, bewildered me, and humbled me. Living there taught me patience and the ability to appreciate diversity of perspectives on the very definition of progress. This book is a collection of essays I wrote during the course of my stay, some of which were published in a newspaper in Uganda and on a blog at the London School of Economics.
Audience
This compilation is in no way a comprehensive picture of life and the state of affairs in Uganda. My aim is to provide a flavour for the social and business landscape of Uganda to anyone wishing to explore this place by sharing my personal reflections - an Overseas Development Institute Fellow like I was, an international development professional, a researcher, an economist, a Ugandan wishing to see her country through a different lens, or a traveller.
They say, Kampala is Africa for beginners.I hope this book will serve as an Africa 101 for anyone wishing to acquaint themselves with a part of this rich continent.
Chapter Outline
In addition to a foreword by Dr. Louis Kasekende, the deputy governor of Bank of Uganda, the chapters in the book include the following:
Towards Accountability - Analytical piece on the embezzlement of development aid through Uganda's Office of the Prime Minister
Uganda’s Financial Sector at 50: Challenges and Innovation - An essay explaining the transformation of Uganda's financial sector since the end of the Civil War and current challenges and innovations
Financial Stability in Uganda: Much Ado About Nothing? - Drawing upon her experience in the central bank, the author in this essay makes a case for a serious need to conduct financial stability analysis and regulation in a developing country with nascent financial markets
Innovation in Payment Systems - Touted as poster children for mobile payments, Uganda and Kenya have seen exponential growth in the take-up of such payment services. Their low financial inclusion levels but high mobile penetration rates make this innovation especially powerful. This article takes stock of such innovative payment solutions.
Chinese Development Aid to Uganda - A cautionary response to a newspaper report in Uganda and an analytical essay carefully studying the nature and implications of Chinese aid on Uganda's autonomy on its natural resources.
Tax Avoidance in Uganda - An article discussing the reasons behind prevalance of tax avoidance in Uganda and suggesting potential solutions.
Regulation Not a Panacea for SACCO Troubles - An article in response to a report in the newspaper. In the context of mismanaged savings cooperatives, this essay explains the concept of social capital and how it is key to the smooth functioning of savings cooperatives in Uganda. The article aims to dispel the illusion that regulation of these cooperatives or SACCOs would end their malpractices, instead it argues that the size and structure of the cooperative has the seeds for stronger or weaker social capital.
Enhancing Uganda’s Business Competitiveness - This essay makes suggestions to improve the weak business environment in Uganda according to the Global Competitiveness Rankings of the World Bank.
About the Author
Prajakta Kharkar Nigam is an economist by profession. She has worked for three central banks on three continents and lived in five different countries. Passionate about entrepreneurship, international development and the written word, this book is very close to her heart. She was posted to Uganda's central bank for two years from 2011 to 2013 and established their stress testing framework for the banking industry.
An alumna of the London School of Economics and originally from India, Prajakta is the founder of Milart Fairtrade Designer Jewelry, a social enterprise she started when she was an ODI Fellow in Kampala. Through international outreach and e-commerce, this organization empowers women artisans and jewelry designers in East Africa and India. In 2016, she will launch Joey, a mobile start-up that allows nursing mothers in 50 cities to discover the nearest feeding room at their fingertips, literally.
Prajakta lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband Shashank and daughter Sanaa, and can be reached at pkharkar@gmail.com
Marketing
I primarily aim to market and promote this book through my network of Overseas Development Institute alumni and my network built in Uganda through the central bank, the public service and the South Asian Community. In addition to running the Publishizer campaign and social media awareness campaigns, I also intend to approach the High Commissions of India, the UK and Uganda in various countries for launching and promoting the book.
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I'm delighted to share that thanks to all of you, my pre-order campaign for 'Perspectives on Uganda' , which we wrapped up on 20th April, crossed …
Dear friends,
I'm really encourages by all your support. 6 pre-orders and 2 interested publishers later I am thrilled even more about writing and publishing …
OMG...we are live!
on April 11, 2016, 4:19 p.m.
Got mine booked!