A new report dubbed Global Optimism Outlook Survey has revealed that 70 per cent of Kenyans are optimistic about the country’s future, compared with a global average of 56 per cent, and the continental average of 64 per cent.
The survey, commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai and conducted by YouGov, surveyed more than 20,000 people across 23 countries. for the future, looking at sustainability, economic growth, technology, travel, and more. The survey tracked people’s priorities for the future, looking at sustainability, economic growth, technology, travel, and more.
Kenyans’ optimism about the future has been linked to, among other factors, new opportunities being created by a thriving digital technology landscape, decentralised system of government, and a continued uplift in socio-economic conditions across the country.
According to the survey, Kenyans were found to consider natural resource conservation, alternative energy and zero waste as most important in creating a better future, while ranking technological developments such as ride-sharing and electric vehicles least.
Similar to other African economies, 85 per cent of Kenyan respondents believe that knowledge gathering, learning and access to education is the best avenue towards unlocking opportunity in the year 2050. Other important tactics identified are access to resources (82 per cent) and collaboration across borders and cultures (81 per cent). Furthermore, 97 per cent equally believe that technological advances will continue to connect people globally, as well as they believe individuals and communities will shape the future through knowledge sharing.
Looking toward the future with a sustainability lens, the survey found that Kenyans believe that conservation of natural resources, alternative energy and zero waste are most important at creating a better world. Unlike many other global respondents, 70 per cent of Kenyans are considerably optimistic about mankind’s ability to combat climate change.
In the next three decades, Kenyans would most like to experience free trade (82 per cent), self-powering and energy-producing transportation (72 per cent), carbon-free travel (68 per cent), e-commerce (66 per cent), and cloud computing, big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) (66 per cent). From a sustainability point of view, they would most like to experience smart cities (73 per cent), sustainable architecture and infrastructure (71 per cent), and sustainable food (70 per cent).
South America was found to be home to the largest number of optimists (74 per cent).
