MCI-VCC Working Papers

The Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) at The Earth Institute at Columbia University and the Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment have launched the MCI and VCC Working Papers Series on Investment in the Millennium Cities.  (A separate MCI working papers series addresses investment in the social sector.)

Working Paper No. 10/2009, "Investment Opportuntities in Mekelle, Tigray State, Ethiopia,” identifies potential investment opportunities in and around the Millennium City of Mekelle, the capital city of Tigray State, Ethiopia. Please also note UNIDO’s complementary publication on Mekelle, entitled “Investment Opportunities for Development: Mekelle, Ethiopia,” also published in December 2009.

Working Paper No. 09/2009, “Bamboo Bikes in Kisumu, Kenya,” analyzes the feasibility of producing bamboo bicycles in the Millennium City of Kisumu, Kenya. The paper was produced in partnership with Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Working paper No. 08/2009, “Assessing Infrastructure Constraints on Business Activity in Blantyre, Malawi," analyzes current infrastructure constraints faced by businesses in the Blantyre region, including in transportation, electricity, water and communications. The paper was produced by Zaki Raheem.

Working Paper No. 07/2009, “Foreign Direct Investment in Blantyre, Malawi: Opportunities and Challenges," analyzes foreign investment opportunities in Blantyre, including in the textile manufacturing and agro-processing industries, and identifies their investment potential. The paper was produced by an Economic and Political Development (EPD) workshop team from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Special recognition is given to Sawa Nagakawa for her outstanding contributions in finalizing the paper.

Working Paper No. 06/2008, "Sugar in Kisumu," analyzes foreign investment opportunities in the sugar industry in Kisumu, specifically during the production stage, and assesses the relevant costs and risks associated with the identified opportunities.  The paper was produced in partnership with KPMG.

Working Paper No. 05/2008, "Assessing Infrastructure Constraints on Business Activity in Kisumu, Kenya," analyzes the state of infrastructure for business activities and identifies key opportunities for infrastructure investment in the city of Kisumu.

Working Paper No. 04/2008, “Bamboo Bicycles in Kumasi, Ghana," assesses the feasibility and investment opportunity of implementing a bamboo bicycle production facility in Kumasi, Ghana. It was produced in partnership with KPMG.

Working Paper No. 03/2008, “Assessing Infrastructure Constraints on Business Activity in Kumasi, Ghana," analyzes the state of infrastructure for business activities and identifies key opportunities for infrastructure investment in the city of Kumasi.

Working Paper No. 02/2008, "Kumasi Marketing Strategy: Tourism," presents a strategy for how the Millennium City of Kumasi, Ghana, can capitalize on the growth of tourism in Ghana, market itself more effectively as a tourist destination, and differentiate itself from other locations.

The MCI and VCC Working Papers Series on Investment is intended to provide policy analysis and outline challenges and opportunities for investment across the Millennium Cities.

For more information, please contact Editor-in Chief Dr. Karl P. Sauvant at karl.sauvant@law.columbia.edu, Editor Joerg Simon at jks2149@columbia.edu, or Managing Editor Paulo Cunha at +646-884-7422, pmc2105@columbia.edu.