poverty reduction

World Bank Economic Initiatives Propel Namibia to Prosperity

Josef Kefas Sheehama The implementation of key long-term strategies, such as the National Development Plans (NDPs) and Harambee Prosperity Plans (HPPs), to advance Vision 2030 as a vehicle to industrialise the nation, as well as the country's growing poverty, insecurity, and fragility developmental goals and the increasing risks associated with climate change, have made it imperative to accelerate Namibia's development. Namibia's New Country Partnership Framework (CPF) which is part of […]

20 January, 2025 21 2

Interview Transcripts

Anonymous Interview: Challenges Faced by the Community in Havana, Windhoek: A Closer Look at Municipal Services, Healthcare, and Unemployment

November 18, 2024 – Havana, Windhoek Life in Havana, a settlement located in the outskirts of Windhoek, presents its residents with a range of challenges, many of which stem from systemic issues that persist despite promises from political parties and government institutions. Living in a community where resources are scarce, Anonymous X Hakahana—a local resident—shared valuable insights into the everyday struggles faced by the people in Havana, shedding light […]

18 November, 2024 203

Local

BIG Coalition to Hold Star Rally for Basic Income Grant for All

13/11/2024, WINDHOEK, Namibia - The Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition of Namibia is hosting the Universal BIG Star Rally on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The rally will begin with a march at 14:00 from the Miami Service Station Bus Stop in Katutura to UN Plaza via Independence Avenue. The march will be accompanied by the Champion Brass Band. The rally is scheduled to start at 15:00 at UN Plaza […]

14 November, 2024 43

Uncategorized

World Bank approves $1.5 billion funding for Ethiopia

The World Bank pledged $16.6 billion of funding to Ethiopia over three years, providing a fillip to eastern Africa’s biggest economy as it restructures its debt and opens up the nation to foreign investors. Bloomberg Africa reports that the International Development Association’s assistance includes a $1 billion grant and a $500 million concessional loan to help the Horn of Africa nation strengthen its financial sector and improve fiscal transparency. According […]

31 July, 2024 20

South Africa

Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech to parliament listed South Africa’s old problems – but no new solutions

By Vinothan Naidoo, University of Cape Town South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening of parliament speech successfully captured the spirit of a diverse and cohesive multi-party government ready to get down to work. But it failed to tell South Africans how the new dispensation will do things differently, and better. In the May 2024 national and provincial elections, Ramaphosa’s African National Congress party received just […]

22 July, 2024 28

Africa

African countries could unlock billions in local and global trade – what’s working and what’s not

By Bedassa Tadesse, University of Minnesota Duluth Africa’s share of global trade remains disproportionately small, hovering around 2%-3%. Countries on the continent trade more with the rest of the world than they do among themselves. Africa needs to improve its share of trade to boost growth and reduce poverty. Aid for Trade is a development initiative that seeks to remove barriers to trade […]

11 June, 2024 20

Namibia

Namibia’s Rating Upgraded: Importance for the Country and Its People

By Josef Kefas Sheehama Periodically, the Namibian government establishes policies to address the unstable state of the economy. Encouraging economic growth requires policymakers to put in place measures that support investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Therefore, the government can assist in fostering an environment that is conducive to business and promotes employment and economic growth. As an Independent Economic and Business Researcher, I therefore wholeheartedly commend the […]

6 June, 2024 29

South Africa

Minimum wage for South African farm workers: study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor

By Ihsaan Bassier, London School of Economics and Political Science and Vimal Ranchhod, University of Cape Town Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa. In a recent paper, we consider the income, employment and poverty effects of the largest minimum wage increase South Africa has […]

17 May, 2024 27

South Africa

Over 26 million South Africans get a social grant. Fear of losing the payment used to be a reason to vote for the ANC, but no longer – study

By Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg and Yolanda Sadie, University of Johannesburg Social grants to reduce poverty feature prominently in the campaign promises of political parties in South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial general elections, set for 29 May. The country’s social grants system is one of the largest in Africa in terms of number of beneficiaries. Research shows that this has helped reduce poverty. […]

15 May, 2024 22