Publications

Adolescent pregnancy remains a critical public health and development challenge in Kenya, with significant health, social, and economic consequences for girls, their families, and the nation. Despite ongoing efforts, adolescent pregnancy rates in Kenya remain high, particularly in marginalised counties, posing a threat to national goals on health, education, gender equality, and socio-economic development. This evidence brief synthesises findings from 15 peer reviewed studies conducted in Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to identify actionable interventions for reducing adolescent pregnancy. The evidence highlights a complex interplay of factors, ranging from poverty, harmful social norms, and weak enforcement of […]

Adolescent pregnancy is a major global public health and development challenge (1,2). The World Health Organization estimates that 21 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 years become pregnant annually, with nearly half giving birth (3). Most of these pregnancies occur in LMICs, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where structural barriers, poverty, limited access to SRH services, harmful gender norms, and weak policy implementation amplify risks(1,4). Adolescent pregnancy is linked to higher risks of maternal mortality, preterm birth, poor neonatal outcomes, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV. This evidence brief is based on a rapid review of peer-reviewed literature examining barriers, facilitators, and interventions […]

Current evidence shows that about 95% of neonatal deaths could be prevented through timely, equitable, and quality interventions. Kenya has introduced progressive policies such as free maternity care and community health strategies, leading to gains in facility deliveries and maternal service utilisation. However, persistent gaps in quality of care, infrastructure, human resources, and equity continue to limit impact. This evidence brief synthesises data from 12 key studies in Kenya and comparable low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to outline actionable strategies for breaking the cycle of preventable neonatal deaths. It calls for strengthening health system capacity, scaling up proven community and […]

Despite decades of investment, the unmet need for modern contraception remains high across low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Kenya. Women of reproductive age continue to face barriers such as misinformation, weak health systems, limited access to quality services, and restrictive gender norms. Although Kenya’s policy frameworks, including the Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (2017–2022) and the National Reproductive Health Policy (2022–2032), provide strong guidance, implementation challenges persist, particularly in rural areas. Download to read more:

Despite progress in expanding access to modern contraceptives in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa, uptake remains unacceptably low among women of reproductive age, particularly in rural, arid, and marginalised settings. This policy brief synthesises evidence from 17 studies conducted between 2015 and 2025 across Kenya and other Sub-Saharan African countries. It identifies key sociocultural, systemic, and structural barriers to contraceptive use and proposes actionable, context-specific policy responses. Addressing these barriers is crucial to reducing unintended pregnancies, enhancing maternal and child health outcomes, and achieving national and global development targets, including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and SDG 5. Download to read […]

This evidence brief presents synthesised findings from a rapid review conducted to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Kenya in operationalising the World Health Organisation’s recommendation for a minimum of eight antenatal care (ANC) contacts during pregnancy. Despite policy alignment, only 4% of pregnant women in Kenya complete all eight ANC visits, reflecting persistent barriers at multiple levels of the health system. The review draws on 11 studies conducted between 2017 and 2024 in Kenya and other comparable low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting both systemic and community-level constraints to ANC utilisation. Download to read more:

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for maternal and newborn survival, yet most women in Kenya delay their first visit, with only 29% initiating within the first trimester (KDHS, 2022). Early ANC enables timely detection of complications, facilitates preventive interventions, and leads to improved pregnancy outcomes. Kenya has introduced major financing reforms, the Free Maternity Services Policy (2013) and Linda Mama (2017), which expanded access to skilled maternity care and increased facility deliveries. However, these policies have had limited effect on when women begin ANC. Hidden costs, knowledge gaps, cultural barriers, and uneven implementation continue to delay care. Evidence shows that […]

This comprehensive report, dated April 2026, reveals that Nigeria is facing a profound structural imbalance where a rapidly expanding youth population—over 60% of whom are under age 25—is consistently outpacing the economy’s capacity for job creation. This gap has forced the Nigerian labour market into a state of informality and precarious work, leaving approximately 96% of employed youth to navigate the informal sector. Within this environment, Nigerian youth face chronic income instability, widespread underemployment, and a frustrating disconnect between the education provided and the skills the market actually demands. National progress is further hindered by systemic barriers such as policy […]

The Institutional IMPACT Brochure 2026 by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a comprehensive institutional profile and impact report that showcases the organisation’s work, achievements, and strategic value across Africa and beyond. Download here:

AFIDEP News is the African Institute for Development Policy’s biannual newsletter. We publish this to update stakeholders on our programmes and highlight emerging policy issues across population dynamics and the demographic dividend; health and well-being; transformative education and skills development; environment and climate change; and gender equality, governance, and accountability. This edition covers AFIDEP’s work and impact in strengthening and institutionalising the use of evidence for decision-making over the period July – December 2025. Click to download the issue  

This factsheet provides a concise overview of World Contraception Day 2025 and Kenya’s continued commitment to expanding access to family planning. It highlights why contraception matters for health and development, outlines the range of modern methods available, and explains key concepts such as self-care and informed choice. The factsheet also presents essential data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, including trends in contraceptive use, sources of services, and unmet need. By summarising Kenya’s FP2030 targets and the role of different stakeholders, this factsheet aims to promote understanding, informed decision-making, and stronger support for reproductive health across the country.

Learning Together to Advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking (LEEPS) is a multi-country initiative led by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) that strengthens the use of evidence and equity in policymaking across Africa. The project enhances institutional and individual capacities in evidence-informed policymaking (EIP), integrates gender equity into policy processes, and nurtures networks for learning and collaboration. In its first phase (2023–2025), LEEPS focuses on reproductive health and clean energy in Kenya and Nigeria, with plans to expand across the continent. Read the brochure for details: