Geography: Africa

Nyamagabe District Signs MoU with BRAC to Launch Rwanda’s First Locally-Led Graduation Programme

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In a landmark move toward poverty alleviation and inclusive development, Nyamagabe district government in Rwanda has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BRAC, a Global South-led organisation known for its community-led, integrative approach and delivering long-term impact at scale. The aim of this new collaboration is to launch a district-level Graduation programme targeting … Continued

The Graduation Approach: Increasing Climate Resilience for People in Extreme Poverty

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Global evidence indicates that the Graduation approach reduces vulnerability of households living in extreme poverty from climate-related shocks, and specific adjustments to adapt to climate change may offer even greater protection. This brief provides an overview of the rigorous evidence from different countries and contexts around the globe, indicating that the standard Graduation approach reduces … Continued

This is the story of Lizel Sol, from Oppermansdrop in the Free State, South Africa

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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), a key partner in the Generating Better Livelihoods project led by FinMark Trust, has submitted video entries to the International Social Security Video Festival 2025. These videos showcase how grant recipients involved in the project are using their social security benefits coupled with training, coaching and mentorship to … Continued

This is the story of Gina, from Oppermansdrop in the Free State, South Africa

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The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), a key partner in the Generating Better Livelihoods project led by FinMark Trust, has submitted video entries to the International Social Security Video Festival 2025. These videos showcase how grant recipients involved in the project are using their social security benefits coupled with training, coaching and mentorship to … Continued

South-South Learning Forum 2025: Insights from Kigali

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The South-South Learning Forum (SSLF) 2025, held in Kigali, Rwanda, convened 270 policymakers, practitioners, and partners from nearly 60 countries to exchange strategies for scaling economic inclusion programs that create jobs for the poor. Co-hosted by the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank’s Social Protection Global Practice, in collaboration with the Partnership for Economic … Continued

How BRAC, Governments, and the World Bank Scale Innovations to Combat Poverty – World Bank

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The World Bank Group originally published this feature story on November 11, 2024. By Rasha Natour, Senior Specialist, Policy and Partnerships, BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative The number of people living in extreme poverty continues to be alarming and disheartening. The World Bank estimates that around one person in 10, or 700 million people, live in extreme … Continued

The Rwandan Government Enhances Coordination Among Key Stakeholders to Support National Graduation Strategy

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By Christophe Ndahimana (Rwanda Program Manager), Martin Ruzima (Rwanda Senior MEL and Research Analyst), and Courtney Calardo (Head of Communications) Rwanda’s Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) recently hosted five workshops, one workshop for each province and the City of Kigali, to develop the capacity of district staff in all 30 districts on implementing and expanding the … Continued

The Big Push African Women Need to Escape Poverty – Project Syndicate

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This article was originally published on Project Syndicate on March 8, 2024.  NAIROBI – What do poverty, climate change, and conflict have in common? They are among the biggest challenges confronting Africa, and they all disproportionately affect women living in poverty or on the margins of society. Both research and experience have demonstrated that these women have enormous … Continued

Why We Should Think About More Than Cash When Seeking to Eradicate Poverty – Nature Careers Podcast

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This podcast and interview with Catherine Thomas was originally published by Nature on January 26, 2024. The Working Scientist podcast series from Nature features an episode with Catherine Thomas, a researcher, who is involved in a project in the West African country of Niger, where she is helping its poorest citizens in an extremely innovative … Continued

Unpacking Multi-Faceted Anti-Poverty Programmes

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This audio story was originally published by VoxDev on August 16, 2023. A multi-faceted programme comprising of a grant of productive assets, training, unconditional cash transfers, coaching, and savings has been found to build sustainable income for those in extreme poverty. In this episode of VoxDevTalks, Robert Osei joins to discuss research with Abhijit Banerjee, … Continued