This paper considers the problems surrounding the implementation of road infrastructure plans in a policy perspective. As the main pillar of regional connectivity, road networks provide the link across national markets, foster strong and sustainable economic growth, help meeting people’s basic needs, and promote trade and competiveness. It is argued that planning, implementing, and managing good transportation infrastructures poses a series of challenges that require competence, good governance, and the availability of funds. Such problems become more complex when road projects encompass different states and become transnational. The regional dimension of connectivity involves both opportunities and risks; a cooperative attitude by all parties is viewed as the best ingredient to achieve a positive balance. Since most countries cannot still rely on domestic resources, the paper stresses the role of virtuous policies in directing capital flows from abroad towards the infrastructural projects of Southeast Asia.

The rapid urbanization of Addis Ababa presents significant challenges and opportunities in coordinating the development of physical infrastructure. This study investigates the legal and policy framework for inter-sectorial integration across critical domains such as electricity, roadways, telecommunications, and water management. Drawing on Institutional Theory and policy integration theory, the research employs a comprehensive methodological approach, including documentary analysis, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observational studies. Through meticulous examination of existing laws, regulations, and institutional structures, the study identifies critical gaps and limitations that impede effective coordination among infrastructure-providing entities. Findings reveal the pressing need for cohesive policies, institutional reforms, and enhanced collaboration to mitigate disruptions and advance sustainable development goals. By situating these findings within the broader discourse on urban infrastructure governance, the research offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of infrastructure coordination in rapidly expanding cities. The study underscores the necessity for strategic interventions that promote efficient, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable infrastructure provision. Moreover, the implications of this research extend beyond academia, providing actionable policy and practice recommendations that can inform decision-making processes in Addis Ababa and analogous urban contexts worldwide. This holistic approach facilitates a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between legal frameworks, policy dynamics, and institutional arrangements, thereby laying a robust foundation for informed decision-making and strategic interventions in urban infrastructure development.

COVID-19 has presented considerable challenges to fiscal budget allocations in developing countries, significantly affecting decisions regarding number of investments in the transport sector where precise resource allocation is required. Elucidating the long-term relationship between public transport investment and economic growth might enable policymaker to effectively make a decision in regard to those budget allocation. Our paper then utilizes Thailand as a case study to analyze the effects on economic growth in a developing country context. The study employs Cointegration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) techniques to account for long-term correlations among explanatory variables during 1991–2019. The statistical findings reveal a significantly positive correlation between transport investment and economic growth by indicating an increase of 0.937 in economic growth for every one-percent increment in transport investment (S.D. = 0.024, p < 0.05). This emphasizes the potential of expanding the transport investment to recover Thailand’s economy. Furthermore, in terms of short-term adjustments, our results indicate that transport investment can significantly mitigate the negative impact of external shocks by 0.98 percent (p < 0.05). These findings assist policymakers in better managing national budget allocations in the post-Covid-19 period, allowing them to estimate the duration of crowding-out effects induced by shocks more effectively.

Africa has been fighting against colonialism and Eurocentrism for a long time in an attempt to reverse the regime of oppression and socio-economic marginalization and exploitation, and take back control of its cultural identity and right to self-determination. This adventure requires the recognition and revitalisation of indigenous arts, culture, and law—all of which have been subjugated and ignored during colonial rule. Ironically, the situation has not improved much by the dominating presence of post-independent neo-colonial structures and perpetuated Eurocentric phenomenon that have been ingrained into the socio-cultural and economic fabrics of the African state. This research explores the critical need for integrating science on African indigenous arts, culture, and legal systems, as a way of globalizing as well as revitalizing these elements, towards the ultimate emancipation of the continent from the vestiges of colonialism and Eurocentricism. Relying on the postcolonial, and indigenous knowledge systems theoretical frameworks, the study engages the ethnographic, collaborative and interdisciplinary research approaches, subjecting data obtained to thematic analysis. Underscoring the profound interconnectedness of science, indigenous arts, and cultural heritage, the study argues that combining scientific methods with indigenous African epistemology provides a powerful framework for advancing Africa’s true independence from the protracted legacies of colonialism and Eurocentrism. The research concludes that a holistic integration of these elements therefore, is indispensable for fostering a decolonized and inclusive approach to knowledge production, self-determination and sustainable development, against the background of the rich insights and sustainable practices embedded within the African cultural traditions. Ultimately, the research recommends that embracing and integrating science on indigenous epistemologies can propel Africa towards an emancipated, truly independent, and culturally affirming future, transcending the enduring legacies of colonialism and Eurocentrism.

The extent to which businesses incorporate Naga worship into their strategies and operations and its effect on their success remains ignored. This study employed a multidisciplinary approach to examine the diverse practices of Naga worship in business contexts across different regions. This study utilized a mixed-methods research design to provide insights into the strategic integration of Naga worship into business practices and its impact on business performance. It employed a questionnaire to gather insights from respondents about their demographic data, awareness of Naga worship, its integration into business practices, consumer perceptions and behaviors, and overall business performance. Follow-up, in-depth interviews were developed to probe deeper into respondents’ experiences, motivations, and perceptions regarding the integration of Naga worship into their business practices. Most respondents agreed to integrate Naga worship into their company practices or marketing plans by using Naga symbols in branding, doing rituals for success, providing Naga-themed products and services, and scheduling activities on auspicious Naga-related dates. Respondents perceived companies that venerate Naga as culturally genuine and focused on the community. Worshipping the Naga deity improved the brand’s and corporation’s image and reputation. People patronized these enterprises by buying products and services associated with Naga culture. A substantial portion of respondents believe that worshiping Naga enhances commercial prosperity. Yet, a few participants from different regions mentioned difficulties regarding the integration of Naga religious customs.

China-Africa economic integration generally looks lucid, as evidenced by rising bilateral trade, as well as Chinese FDI, aid, and debt financing for infrastructure development in Africa. The engagement, however, appears to be strategically channeled to benefit China’s resource endowment strategy. First, Chinese FDI in Africa is primarily resource-seeking, with minimum manufacturing value addition. Second, China has successfully replicated the Angola model in other resource-rich African countries, and most infrastructure loans-for-natural resources barter deals are said to be undervalued. There is also a resource-backed loan arrangement in place, in which default Chinese loans are repaid in natural resources. Third, while China claims that its financial aid is critical to Africa’s growth and development processes, a significant portion of the aid is spent on non-development projects such as building parliaments and government buildings. This lend credence to the notion that China uses aid to gain diplomatic recognition from African leaders, with resource-rich and/or institutionally unstable countries being the most targeted. The preceding arguments support why Africa’s exports to China dominate other China’s financial flows to Africa, and consist mainly of natural resources. Accordingly, this study aims to forecast China-Africa economic integration through the lens of China’s demand for natural resources and Africa’s demand for capital, both of which are reflected in Africa’s exports to China. The study used a MODWT-ARIMA hybrid forecasting technique to account for the short period of available China-Africa bilateral trade dataset (1992–2021), and found that Africa’s exports to China are likely to decline from US$ 119.20 billion in 2022 to US$ 13.68 billion in 2026 on average. This finding coincides with a period in which Chinese demand for Africa’s natural resources is expected to decline.