Brookings: Projects - Africa Growth Initiative

Africa Growth Initiative

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:04:06 GMT

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Sustaining Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 19, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On November 19, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted Antoinette Sayeh, director of the African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for a discussion on the economic outlook for Africa. The IMF has just released its semi-annual Regional Economic Outlook for Africa which contains findings that indicate sub-Saharan Africa’s economic activity has slowed sharply with the onset of the global financial crisis. As the world economy stages a tentative recovery, what does this mean for the region?

Tackling HIV/AIDS in Africa: From Knowledge to Behavior Change

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On October 29 President Zuma surprised the South African Parliament by announcing the need to "respond with urgency and resolve" to the "devastating impact of HIV and AIDS" on the nation. Richard Joseph discusses recent efforts to combat this disease in Africa and what can be done to facilitate further effective and humane action.

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Treasury Neal Wolin's visit to three African nations demonstrates the commitment by the current administration to African development issues. Ernest Aryeetey urges Deputy Secretary Wolin to focus on sustainable development and encourage countries to establish frameworks for long-term growth.

Obama's Kenya: A Potential Political Minefield

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On October 26 Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, announced that the U.S. was revoking the visa of a top Kenyan official because of his role in blocking reforms in the country. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses this approach and urges that the focus should be on overhauling institutions, not targeting individuals.

Expanding the Financial Services Frontier: Lessons From Mobile Phone Banking in Kenya

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Access to financial services is crucial to economic growth and poverty reduction, yet a large proportion of households in developing countries lack access to financial services. Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi and Njuguna S. Ndung’u, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, discuss the Kenyan experience with mobile phone banking and how this technology can expand the financial services frontier.

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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There is wide agreement that the African developmental problem is largely rooted in its institutions. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses the link between size and the quality of governance in African countries.

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 01, 2009, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

In October 2009 a high-level delegation of officials from the office of the president and government of Kenya visited the Brookings Institution. The event, which was hosted by the Africa Growth Initiative, included discussion on the key political, economic, and social challenges currently affecting Kenya’s development.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe on the Nigeria-U.S. Partnership

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:15:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 30, 2009, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM

On September 30, the Brookings Institution hosted Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the foreign minister of Nigeria, for a conversation on the U.S.-Nigeria partnership, and the challenges and opportunities for democratic and economic reform and regional stability in Africa's most populous country.

Four Ways to Help Africa?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In response to a Wall Street Journal article by former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer, Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi urges that U.S. policy toward Africa should be defined by a sustainable agenda whose focus is economic development.

A Nigerian-American Partnership Beckons

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following State Hillary Clinton's visit to Nigeria at the end of her 11-day tour of African nations, Richard Joseph says that Nigeria has a historic opportunity to address its myriad problems. "Nigeria and the United States," Joseph writes, "could initiate a new era of cooperation based on shared commitments to constitutional democracy, the strengthening of open, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies and laying the foundations for sustainable and equitable growth."

Africa and the Obama Administration

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:44:47 GMT

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 11-day visit to select African nations wraps up this week, her longest overseas mission as America's top diplomat. Ernest Aryeetey says African nations view Secretary Clinton’s trip so early in her term as a smart move, adding her visit instills a sense of optimism about U.S.-Africa relations.

African Growth and Opportunity Act: A Case of Vanishing Benefits

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In August, high-level delegations of government, private sector and civil society representatives from the United States and sub-Saharan Africa met in Nairobi for the eighth annual forum on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mwangi Kimenyi reflects on the success of AGOA and how the forum can be a chance to focus on making Africa competitive.

Ghana: Obama Visits a Hopeful Nation on a Troubled Continent

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ghanaians welcomed President Obama’s visit in July, making it the only African stop after his European trip. Ghana, regarded as a “beacon of democracy” in Africa, still has room for growth with 40 percent of its people living in poverty. Richard Joseph argues that Ghana could lead a new wave of accelerated and sustainable development and that Obama's support could inspire a transformation across the continent.

G8 Africa Action Plan: Enhance Strategies for Development

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

African development has been a top agenda item at previous G8 Summits, including the creation of the Africa Action Plan and increased financial commitments to support economic growth. Although the continent has seen some progress, Mwangi Kimenyi argues that more should be done and provides specific strategies for more effective development.

Democratic Elections and Coalition Government? A View from Kenya

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 12, 2009, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

On June 12, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted Dr. Constance Freeman, regional director for East and Southern Africa of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Nairobi who led a roundtable discussion on the recent elections in Kenya.

Economic Transformation and Developmental Governance in Nigeria: The Promise of the Obama Era

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nigeria, which has long struggled with governance issues and poverty, is in need of a profound economic transformation. In the inaugural BusinessDay Scholars in Society Forum in Lagos, Nigeria, Richard Joseph addressed the different challenges and opportunities that lie ahead on the country's path to economic growth and prosperity.

Mwangi Kimenyi, Expert on Africa’s Economy, Joins Brookings

Thu, 07 May 2009 10:04:00 GMT

Mwangi S. Kimenyi, founding executive director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, has joined Brookings as a senior fellow. Kimenyi will join the Africa Growth Initiative, part of the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings.

Nigeria: Could Ekiti Voting Debacle Be Turning Point?

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Marred by violence and intimidation, recent voting in the Ekiti state of Nigeria ended with Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party emerging as the winner of the rerun governorship polls. Richard Joseph argues that if Nigeria is to establish its democracy on a firm basis, a major non-partisan national movement may be needed.

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Critical stabilization and reconstruction missions abroad must not only be viewed through the lenses of short-term goals or military operations, but as a key step in supporting sustainable economic development. In a workshop report, Noam Unger and Frederick Barton explore ways to rebalance American statecraft by strengthening civilian stabilization and development capacity within the U.S. government.

"Smart Aid" for Africa

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The debate has heated up over whether western foreign aid has done Africa more harm than good. In an interview with Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview, Richard Joseph discusses the approach of "smart aid" and how a focus on incentives and accountability will lead to smart thinking about aid.

Obama Should Meet African Ministers Before G20 Summit

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama's election held potential promise for Africa, but attention to many key areas of development has been diverted by pressing U.S. domestic issues. Richard Joseph recommends that a side meeting in London, before the G20 Summit, between Obama and several African finance ministers could yield concrete suggestions for urgent action.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 13, 2009, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On February 13, 2009, the Brookings Global Economy and Development program hosted a luncheon to introduce Dr. Ernest Aryeetey, Director of the new Africa Growth Initiative, and to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on Africa.

Nigeria's Great Opportunity

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nigeria possesses abundant assets to meet the economic challenges. Richard Joseph urges Nigerians to continue on the course of sustainable development efforts.

Ernest Aryeetey, Head of Leading African Think Tank, Joins Brookings to Direct Africa Growth Initiative

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:25:07 GMT

Ernest Aryeetey, a leading economist at the University of Ghana, will join Brookings as senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative, Brookings President Strobe Talbott announced.

Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa: Development Cooperation Challenges and Opportunities

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 09, 2009, 9:00 AM to 10:30

Advances and innovations in science and technology have been essential catalysts of growth for developing societies. Yet sub-Saharan African countries continue to lag behind in science, technology, and engineering developments and applications. On January 9, Dr. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, gave a talk on "Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa" at the National Academy of Sciences.

The Diversification Challenge in Africa's Resource-Rich Economies

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Africa’s resource boom offers the hope of economic growth to many countries on the continent but how can governments ensure that natural resources fuel long-term growth rather than become a curse? In a new working paper, John Page discusses how natural resource wealth can be an effective driver of growth for Africa.

Smart Aid and Accelerated Growth: What an Obama Victory Can Mean for Africa

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a speech delivered before the Department of Political Science, Faculty of the Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria prior to the U.S. presidential election, Richard Joseph reflects on what a win by Barack Obama could mean for Africa, with regard to aid and smart growth.

Accelerating the Creation of Enterprise Societies: A New Nigerian Mindset

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Speaking at the 14^th Nigerian Economic Summit, Richard Joseph reflects on governance and institutional capacity building in Nigeria, with respect to how Nigeria can confront its economic challenges and move to sustained growth.

Transformation and High Sustained Growth: Governance and Public Service in Nigeria

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Speaking at the 14th Nigerian Economic Summit, Richard Joseph reflects on governance and public service in Nigeria, with respect to how Nigeria can maximize its economic potential.

Accra Agenda for Action: Old Promises, New City

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the High Level Forum will resume for its third gathering in Accra, Ghana on September 2, 2008. Homi Kharas examines the coordination of development aid and the addition of new donors since the Paris Declaration and questions whether this Forum’s ministerial declaration of an Accra Agenda for Action can provide improvements to the $170 billion aid system.

The California Consensus: Can Private Aid End Global Poverty?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The rise of private aid donors—foundations, NGOs, corporations, and individuals—is changing the landscape of development assistance. As private aid has doubled within the past decade, the developing world welcomes these new players, and Raj Desai and Homi Kharas argue that they have the potential to be more effective in ending global poverty than the traditional bilateral and multilateral aid agencies.

Balancing Climate Change and Global Development

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For years, global poverty eradication and climate change mitigation have been two prominent but separate struggles yet in order to solve both challenges, policymakers will need to consider linked issues across both fields and understand how solutions for one might affect the other. In a new paper for the 2008 Brookings Blum Roundtable, Lael Brainard and Nigel Purvis examine the issues facing climate change and global development and offer recommendations for how to address the urgency of both policy imperatives.

Reinvesting in Agriculture to Reduce Poverty

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As part of an Oxford-style debate hosted by The Economist, Homi Kharas provides further reasoning that there is “an upside for humanity in the rise of food prices.” Higher prices provide incentives for increased food production and opportunities for raised incomes among the poor, and international donor support for the developing world has been accelerated due to this global crisis.

Global Development 2.0 : Can Philanthropists, the Public, and the Poor Make Poverty History?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An unprecedented explosion of development players heralds a new era of global action on poverty. Global Development 2.0 celebrates this transformative trend within international aid and offers lessons to ensure that this wave of generosity yields lasting and widespread improvements to the lives and prospects of the world’s poorest.

What Works in Development? Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 29, 2008, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
May 30, 2008, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Bill Easterly and Jessica Cohen of Brookings recently convened a conference with leading development experts to explore one of the most vexing issues of global development: what do we really know about what works and what doesn’t when fighting global poverty?

Trust the Development Experts – All 7 Billion

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The recent report by the Growth Commission addresses critical questions about how developing countries might achieve and sustain high growth rates. In a recent op-ed, Visiting Fellow Bill Easterly discusses why the report represents the final collapse of the “development expert” paradigm while outlining reasons why there is still hope for development.

Voters, But Not Yet Citizens: Popular Demand for Good Governance in Africa

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 27, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00pm

The Transparency and Accountability Project hosted Michael Bratton, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and African Studies at Michigan State University, to discuss the popular demand for good governance in Africa.

A New Face of Hunger Should Prompt a New Approach to Foreign Aid

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Bush recently called on Congress to increase U.S. food aid and development programs by $770 million. In a recent op-ed, Noam Unger, senior manager of Brookings’ Foreign Aid Reform Project, discusses how U.S. assistance programs should be strengthened in order to improve the effectiveness of America’s aid during the global food crisis and beyond.

Rising Food Prices: a Global Crisis

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rising food prices partly reflect the spillover from high energy costs, and are causing major problems for poor people. Homi Kharas argues for more development assistance for agriculture production to increase food supplies in the long run as well as for more assistance for sustainable development projects to create jobs and higher wages so that poor people can afford the rising costs of food.

Is the Brain Drain Good for Africa?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Easterly and Yaw Nyarko discuss the costs and benefits of brain drain for African countries.

Brookings Blum Roundtable 2007: Making Poverty History?

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The entry of passionate, media-savvy advocates, “megaphilanthropists,” social entrepreneurs and super-foundations has heightened awareness of the struggles facing the world’s poorest. Outpourings of financial resources, on-the-ground assistance, and a commitment to finding creative solutions to disease, hunger, and education hold out hopes for a new era in the quest for global development. The fourth annual Brookings Blum Roundtable, convened in August 2007, evaluated both the immense potential of these new players and the challenges they face in achieving sustained and effective solutions to poverty and fundamental insecurity.

A Reality Check on African Aid

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Bush recently concluded a trip to Africa, where he was received warmly throughout the five-nations he visited. During his administration, U.S. economic assistance to African nations has more than doubled and has been targeted, with some success, toward HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention—diseases that take a terrible toll on Africa's people. Homi Kharas analyzes U.S. prioritization and allocation of the pledged aid to put these accomplishments into perspective.

Are the Millennium Development Goals Unfair to Africa?

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 06, 2008, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Brookings and the Center for Global Development hosted William Easterly for a presentation of his recent paper, “How the Millennium Development Goals Are Unfair to Africa.” Easterly discussed his analysis that most African countries’ predicted failure will result more from the design of the goals and how they are measured than from unique deficiencies in Africa’s development process.

Free Distribution Or Cost-Sharing? Evidence From A Randomized Malaria Prevention Experiment

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In a new Global working paper, Jessica Cohen studies malaria prevention efforts in detail, analyzing whether free distribution or cost-sharing of anti-malarial insecticide-treated nets in Kenya affects prevention of the disease.

How the Millennium Development Goals Are Unfair to Africa

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In a new Brookings Global working paper, William Easterly analyzes the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and argues that the initial definitions of “success” or “failure” have made attainment of the MGDs less likely in Africa than in other regions.

Low-Cost Health Insurance in Africa Provides the Poor with Antiretroviral Drugs

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Reflecting on World AIDS Day, Brookings Global Health Financing scholars discuss the importance of providing low-cost health insurance to low-income households to help guarantee HIV/AIDS treatment.

Better Aid for AIDS Treatment: The Promise of Endowment Funds

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The continuity and sustainability of global health financing continues to be a major challenge in the fight to stem HIV/AIDS, particularly in developing countries. Brookings Global Health expert Amanda Glassman examines country-based endowment funds as one innovative financing mechanism that could help alleviate this ongoing problem.

Corporate Philanthropy 2.0

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As corporations have become more global, so have their philanthropic efforts. International corporate volunteering is one of the newest ways corporations are reaching out and in a new op-ed, David Caprara, director of Brookings’ Initiative on International Volunteering and Service, discusses the trend and shares best practices from a recent study.

Foreign Aid: An End to the World's Worst Poverty?

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Scholar William Easterly discusses foreign aid with Fareed Zakaria on his show Foreign Exchange.

Improving Health Statistics in Africa

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The availability of statistics is crucial in the fight against poverty and the lack of reliable and good-quality statistics is a major obstacle to assessment of changes in development indicators in many African countries. Brookings Scholar Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discusses the importance of improving health statistics in Africa.

How to Rank Good Governance: The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 25, 2007, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On October 25, Brookings hosted Professor Robert Rotberg who discussed the creation of the new index and the implications of the African Leadership Prize for the improvement of governance in Africa.

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Africa: World Bank Experiences

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 23, 2007, 12:30 PM to 2:30

The World Bank’s Africa team examined the major governance issues, successful reforms and fiduciary challenges facing governments in the region from the perspective of World Bank staff who work closely with developing country leaders.

Working Towards Universal Health Coverage in Rwanda

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 22, 2007, 12:00 PM to 12:00

The Global Health Financing Initiative hosted a discussion of the lessons learned in Rwanda to date with Caroline Kayonga, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health of Republic of Rwanda. She shared experiences in scaling up community-based health insurance and reflect on challenges faced to reach universal coverage.

African Governance Institutions: Accountability Mechanisms or Enablers of Corruption?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 22, 2007, 2:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Brookings hosted a panel discussion to assess the impact of anti-corruption and governance projects on Africa’s governments.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Former Nigerian Finance and Foreign Minister, Joins Brookings

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:07:41 GMT

News Release (1/10/07)

Are Aid Agencies Improving?

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This working paper by William Easterly shows that the record on aid agencies indicates little evidence of progress in response to political changes, experience or new knowledge.

The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 25, 2007, 12:00 PM to

Author Paul Collier and others discussed why a group of small nations pose the central challenge to the developing world in the 21st century.

Was the Wealth of Nations Determined in 1000 B.C.?

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A Working Paper by William Easterly (September 2007)

Africa's Economic Successes: What's Worked and What's Next

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

August 02, 2007, 12:00 PM to 12:00

The 2007 Brookings Blum Roundtable featured an informal evening keynote discussion on Africa’s recent period of unprecedented economic growth. Focusing on the continent’s economic success stories, African Development Bank president Donald Kaberuka and former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala offered fellow participants insight into what’s working and what reforms must be made if the continent is to continue on its pro-growth course.

Development's Changing Face: New Players, Old Challenges, Fresh Opportunities

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

August 01, 2007 at 12:00 AM

On August 1-3, 2007, the Brookings Blum Roundtable gathered representatives reflective of this dynamic landscape to discuss these trends. Through robust discussion and continuing cross-sector partnerships, the conference hopes to foster lasting and widespread improvements in this new field of development.

Giving People Voice through Opinion Polling: Lessons from Nigeria

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 26, 2007, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

On July 26, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, distinguished fellow at Brookings, discussed some of the results of the first NOI/Gallup poll conducted in February 2007.

What Bono Doesn't Say About Africa

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by William Easterly, LATimes.com (07/06/07)

Too Poor for Peace? : Global Poverty, Conflict, and Security in the 21st Century

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The authors of this compelling book—some of the most experienced practitioners from around the world—investigate the complex and dynamic relationship between poverty and insecurity, exploring possible agents for change.

Nigeria's Economic Reforms: Progress and Challenges

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Following years of economic stagnation, Nigeria embarked on a comprehensive reform program during the second term of the Obasanjo administration. In a new working paper Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Philip Osafo-Kwaako review Nigeria's recent experience with economic reforms and outlines major policy measures that have been implemented.

Why Bad Loans Are Good For Africa

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lex Rieffel, The Globalist (2/13/07)

One African's Environmental Challenge

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Book Review by Susan E. Rice, The Washington Post (1/11/07)

Ending Poverty, Promoting Peace: The Quest for Global Security

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In 2006, the Brookings Blum Roundtable explored the complicated connections between poverty and insecurity as part of “The Tangled Web: The Poverty-Insecurity Nexus.” The roundtable examined the practical implications for public and private organizations operating in developing countries, identified areas of greatest need and highlighted best practices.

Poverty and Civil War: What Policymakers Need to Know

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

From Sierra Leone to Tajikistan and Indonesia's Aceh Province, civil war has erupted in countries suffering from persistent poverty or sharp economic decline, further crippling fragile economies, depleting resources and claiming millions of innocent

Optimism and Poverty in Africa: Adaptation or a Means to Survival?

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Carol Graham (October 2006)

Enhancing Development through Better Use of Public Resources: How Independent Watchdog Groups Can Help

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

To improve developing countries' effectiveness in utilizing scarce public funds, efforts to achieve greater transparency and accountability in budget processes must be strengthened. This brief argues specifically for expanded initiatives to strengthen domestic civil society capacity - independent of governments - to provide substantive analysis of budget choices and the distribution and effectiveness of public spending, and to make the results accessible to the general population both directly and via intermediaries such as the media.

Strengthening Weak States: A 21st Century Imperative

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Susan E. Rice, Security and Peace Initiative (August 2006)

Global Poverty, Weak States, and Insecurity

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

A paper presented at the Brookings Blum Roundtable in Aspen

Transforming the Development Landscape : The Role of the Private Sector

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Private sector activity is crucial for development. It shapes the investment climate, mobilizes innovation and financing in areas such as global health, and can either cause or mitigate social and environmental harm.

Africa's Strategic Importance to the U.S.

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Speech by Susan Rice, Reed College (3/20/06)

Cost-effective prevention of diarrheal diseases: A critical review

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This paper critically reviews the existing research on the cost-effective prevention and treatment of diarrheal diseases, and identifies research priorities in this area aimed at finding ways to reduce the diarrheal disease burden. In contrast to the empirical knowledge base that exists for traditional child health programs to reduce diarrheal morbidity and mortality, evidence on the relative effectiveness and costeffectiveness of various environmental health interventions is limited and subject to significant methodological concerns. There is a limited understanding of the determinants of long-term water and sanitation technology adoption and behavior change at the individual level. Even less is known about how collective action problems in water and sanitation infrastructure maintenance can be overcome. An agenda for future research includes evaluating alternative transmission interruption mechanisms, improving understanding of the determinants of individual-level technology adoption in the water and sanitation sector, and assessing the quality of infrastructure maintenance under different management schemes.

The Threat of Global Poverty

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Susan E. Rice, The National Interest (Spring 2006)

Education and HIV/AIDS Prevention: Evidence from a randomized evaluation in Western Kenya

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

We report results from a randomized evaluation comparing three school-based HIV/AIDS interventions in Kenya: 1) training teachers in the Kenyan Government's HIV/AIDS-education curriculum; 2) encouraging students to debate the role of condoms and write essays on how they can protect themselves against HIV/AIDS; and 3) reducing the cost of education. Our primary measure of the effectiveness of these interventions is teenage childbearing, which is associated with unprotected sex. We also collected measures of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS. After two years, teacher training increased students' tolerance toward people with HIV/AIDS. Girls exposed to the program were more likely to be married to the fathers of their children. The program had little other impact on students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, or on the incidence of teen childbearing. The condom debates and essays increased practical knowledge and self-reported use of condoms without increasing self-reported sexual activity. Reducing the cost of education by paying for school uniforms reduced dropout rates, teen marriage, and childbearing.

The National Security Implications of Global Poverty

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Speech by Susan E. Rice, University of Michigan (1/30/06)

Asian Growth and African Development

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Since World War II, integration with the world economy has arguably been the chief route from poverty to wealth. Japan initially exported cheap goods and later moved on to more technologically sophisticated products. When Japan became rich, Korea, Taiwan Province of China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore replaced Japan as low wage exporters, and when these countries moved on to more sophisticated products, Thailand and Malaysia filled their niche. More recently, China has become an important exporter of manufactured goods and India is increasingly moving into services exports.

Incentives to Learn: Lessons from Kenya

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

We report results from a randomized evaluation of a merit scholarship program for adolescent girls in Kenya, and discuss their implications for understanding educational production and for the policy debate surrounding merit awards. Girls who scored well on academic exams had their school fees paid and received a large cash grant. Girls eligible for the scholarship showed substantial gains in exam scores and gains persisted in the years following the competition. Both student and teacher school attendance increased in the program schools. Our results suggest not only that study effort is responsive to incentives but also that there are positive externalities: boys, who were ineligible for the award, also experienced exam gains, as did girls with low pretest scores (who were very unlikely to win). These large externalities address some of the equity concerns raised by critics of merit awards, and provide further rationale for public education subsidies.

Africa After the Music Stops

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Susan E. Rice, YaleGlobal (8/2/05)

Expanding Enterprise, Lifting the Poor: The Private Sector in the Fight against Global Poverty

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

While the public agenda for global poverty alleviation has generally focused on boosting official aid assistance and canceling debt, the role of the private sector is also critical to economic development efforts. In 2005, the Brookings Blum Roundtable centered on the private sector’s role in global development, noting opportunities for further synergy, collaboration and impact, as well as challenges.

Nigeria's Paris Club Debt Problem

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Nigeria's debt servicing problems began around 1985, when the Nigerian government's total external debt to all creditors amounted to $19 billion. Since then, the government has paid creditors more than $35 billion while borrowing less than $15 billion. Nevertheless, its outstanding external debt at the end of 2004 grew to almost $36 billion.

Resolving Nigeria's Paris Club Debt Problem: A Case of Non-Performing Creditors

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Lex Rieffel (8/1/05)

We Must Put More on the Plate to Fight Global Poverty

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Susan E. Rice, The Washington Post (7/5/05)

The Paris Club Owes Nigeria A Fair Deal

Mon, 27 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lex Reiffel (6/27/05)

U.S. Foreign Assistance to Africa: Claims vs. Reality

Mon, 27 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Susan Rice, (6/27/05)

America's Role in the Fight Against Global Poverty

Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT

America’s role in the fight against global poverty was the focus of the first annual Brookings Blum Roundtable in 2004. Discussion centered on the imperative of political will, using foreign assistance, trade and financing for development, and how best to reinforce commitment and sustain development efforts.

WTO Hands a Critical Victory to African Farmers

Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Susan E. Rice and Gayle E. Smith, YaleGlobal Online (5/21/04)

Increasing Capital Flows to Africa

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Speech by Susan Rice, Cornell University (10/23/03)

Making the Millennium Challenge Account Work for Africa

Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Policy Brief #123 by Lael Brainard and Allison Driscoll. (September 2003)

The Other War : Global Poverty and the Millennium Challenge Account

Sun, 15 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This book makes concrete recommendations on crafting a new blueprint for distributing and delivering aid to make the Millenium Challenge Account an effective tool, not only in its own right, but also in transforming U.S. foreign aid and strengthening

The Role for Health in the Fight Against International Poverty

Thu, 01 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Chapter from Biological Security and Global Public Health (May 2003)

The Millennium Challenge Account and Foreign Assistance: Transformation or More Confusion?

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

The Millennium Challenge Account presents an enticing opportunity to transform U.S. development policy. Brookings Review article by Lael Brainard (Spring 2003).

The Administration's Budget for Global Poverty and HIV/ AIDS: How Do the Numbers Stack Up?

Mon, 24 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A working paper by Lael Brainard, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, February 24, 2003, that discusses the Millenium Challenge Account and the fight against global poverty.

African Economic Outlook

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The African Economic Outlook is a joint African Development Bank-OECD Development Centre project funded by the European Commission. The objective is to review annually the recent economic situation and the short-term likely evolutions of selected Afr

Creating a Market for Vaccines

Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael Kremer, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, and Rachel Glennerster, in The New York Times, June 1, 2001

Brookings: Projects - Africa Growth Initiative

Africa Growth Initiative

Sustaining Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tackling HIV/AIDS in Africa: From Knowledge to Behavior Change

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

Obama's Kenya: A Potential Political Minefield

Expanding the Financial Services Frontier: Lessons From Mobile Phone Banking in Kenya

Africa's (Large)4 Problem

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Nigerian Foreign Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe on the Nigeria-U.S. Partnership

Four Ways to Help Africa?

A Nigerian-American Partnership Beckons

Africa and the Obama Administration

African Growth and Opportunity Act: A Case of Vanishing Benefits

Ghana: Obama Visits a Hopeful Nation on a Troubled Continent

G8 Africa Action Plan: Enhance Strategies for Development

Democratic Elections and Coalition Government? A View from Kenya

Economic Transformation and Developmental Governance in Nigeria: The Promise of the Obama Era

Mwangi Kimenyi, Expert on Africa’s Economy, Joins Brookings

Nigeria: Could Ekiti Voting Debacle Be Turning Point?

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

"Smart Aid" for Africa

Obama Should Meet African Ministers Before G20 Summit

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

Nigeria's Great Opportunity

Ernest Aryeetey, Head of Leading African Think Tank, Joins Brookings to Direct Africa Growth Initiative

Science, Engineering and Economic Growth in Africa: Development Cooperation Challenges and Opportunities

The Diversification Challenge in Africa's Resource-Rich Economies

Smart Aid and Accelerated Growth: What an Obama Victory Can Mean for Africa

Accelerating the Creation of Enterprise Societies: A New Nigerian Mindset

Transformation and High Sustained Growth: Governance and Public Service in Nigeria

Accra Agenda for Action: Old Promises, New City

The California Consensus: Can Private Aid End Global Poverty?

Balancing Climate Change and Global Development

Reinvesting in Agriculture to Reduce Poverty

Global Development 2.0 : Can Philanthropists, the Public, and the Poor Make Poverty History?

What Works in Development? Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Trust the Development Experts – All 7 Billion

Voters, But Not Yet Citizens: Popular Demand for Good Governance in Africa

A New Face of Hunger Should Prompt a New Approach to Foreign Aid

Rising Food Prices: a Global Crisis

Is the Brain Drain Good for Africa?

Brookings Blum Roundtable 2007: Making Poverty History?

A Reality Check on African Aid

Are the Millennium Development Goals Unfair to Africa?

Free Distribution Or Cost-Sharing? Evidence From A Randomized Malaria Prevention Experiment

How the Millennium Development Goals Are Unfair to Africa

Low-Cost Health Insurance in Africa Provides the Poor with Antiretroviral Drugs

Better Aid for AIDS Treatment: The Promise of Endowment Funds

Corporate Philanthropy 2.0

Foreign Aid: An End to the World's Worst Poverty?

Improving Health Statistics in Africa

How to Rank Good Governance: The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership

Improving Government Expenditure Performance in Africa: World Bank Experiences

Working Towards Universal Health Coverage in Rwanda

African Governance Institutions: Accountability Mechanisms or Enablers of Corruption?

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Former Nigerian Finance and Foreign Minister, Joins Brookings

Are Aid Agencies Improving?

The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It

Was the Wealth of Nations Determined in 1000 B.C.?

Africa's Economic Successes: What's Worked and What's Next

Development's Changing Face: New Players, Old Challenges, Fresh Opportunities

Giving People Voice through Opinion Polling: Lessons from Nigeria

What Bono Doesn't Say About Africa

Too Poor for Peace? : Global Poverty, Conflict, and Security in the 21st Century

Nigeria's Economic Reforms: Progress and Challenges

Why Bad Loans Are Good For Africa

One African's Environmental Challenge

Ending Poverty, Promoting Peace: The Quest for Global Security

Poverty and Civil War: What Policymakers Need to Know

Optimism and Poverty in Africa: Adaptation or a Means to Survival?

Enhancing Development through Better Use of Public Resources: How Independent Watchdog Groups Can Help

Strengthening Weak States: A 21st Century Imperative

Global Poverty, Weak States, and Insecurity

Transforming the Development Landscape : The Role of the Private Sector

Africa's Strategic Importance to the U.S.

Cost-effective prevention of diarrheal diseases: A critical review

The Threat of Global Poverty

Education and HIV/AIDS Prevention: Evidence from a randomized evaluation in Western Kenya

The National Security Implications of Global Poverty

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem