Emata is a fintech founded in 2020 that provides AI-driven digital loans in Uganda for smallholder farmers. This innovative, quick and reliable approach is meant to empower the smaller farmers in the East African region.
Uganda: A Rich Land
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on financial stability worldwide. Its impact on low-income countries was devastating for vulnerable communities. According to the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS), the level of poverty in Uganda had decreased in 2016 and 2017. In 2020, it increased again to 21.9%.
The land, however, is far from poor. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that as much as 80% of Uganda’s 241,038 square kilometers of territory is fertile land that could be used for agriculture. Nonetheless, only 35% of its land is being cultivated. Dairy, maize and beef, among others, are of crucial value for food security and export revenue.
Filling in the Gaps
According to the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), only 10% of smallholder farmers own an account with a bank or financial institution. Because they are seen as risky investments, financial help remains out of reach for most small farmers. AgEcon Search research reports that in the region, 80% of the rural population depends on agriculture; however, the lack of access to credit limits the farmers’ ability to grow.
In an interview with The Borgen Project, Emata founders Bram van den Bosch and Dario Raffaele explain how they have found a way to contribute to smallholder farmers through AI-driven digital loans in Uganda: “They’re hardworking but trapped: they know which inputs would increase yields, but can’t afford them upfront. That’s the gap we fix—and we fix it for the good farmers, the ones already showing the discipline, consistency and grit needed to professionalize.”
Emata’s mission is to fill these gaps through a thoroughly different approach from local financial institutions:
- Using data instead of land titles
- Automation reduces operating costs
- Speed over painstaking banking processes
- Lower interest rates
- Digitizing the value chain to promote traceability
Loans normally range from $25 to $1,200. Beneficiaries can be smallholders, middle farmers or professionals. In addition, Emata can help borrowers meet other unmet or unexpected financial needs, such as school fees, health emergencies, small business support and cash flow between seasons.
The Farmer’s Journey
In practice, a farmer begins by delivering their product to their local agri cooperative. The company registers the transaction in Emata’s system. From their data, Emata uses AI to calculate their risk and capabilities, assigning them an alternative credit score.
This score determines credit limits for the borrower. The agent then assists the farmers in sending a mobile request to Emata, which approves the loan instantly. The money is then sent via mobile or as input-on-credit.
Repayment is made when the borrower sells their harvest to Emata’s local partner. The founders told The Borgen Project about the farmers who come to them: “The vast majority earn low, volatile farm-based income and would be invisible to traditional banks. Emata is often the first formal lender they have ever worked with. Our data shows that 90% earn under $5/day and 60% earn under $2/day. With Emata, farmers on average grow their income by 30%.”
Women’s Representation
Emata’s most common borrowers are smallholders who did not qualify for credit from financial institutions. According to its metrics, 26% are women. “One of the toughest barriers isn’t financial or technological—it’s cultural,” Emata says, “…women are still underrepresented in many value chains simply because they are not recognized as the ‘primary farmer’ in their household or cooperative.”
A study published by FAO confirms that Uganda’s women who are heads of households and live in rural areas are among the most impoverished. While women are involved in up to 68% of the agricultural process, only 7% officially own the land and less than 1% have access to credit.
To Emata, it is important to make a positive change: “These gaps reflect decades of gendered agricultural norms. And this is exactly where we are slowly making a difference: digitizing records, formalizing farmer identity and embedding lending inside organized value chains is already pulling more women into financial visibility and giving them a documented track record for the first time.”
The Right Tool for the Job
AI-driven digital loans in Uganda that are approved and granted instantly have proven to be an efficient method to reach the most vulnerable but determined farmers. The founders admit that without AI, “we wouldn’t be able to build a profitable and sustainable portfolio and we wouldn’t be able to serve tens of thousands of farmers in minutes.”
Notably, LLMs have been accused of showing racial bias due to training data that reflects society’s prejudices. Emata addresses these concerns by excluding demographic data from its scoring process. Its model takes only harvest records into account to determine credit allowances.
At the same time, Emata uses explainable models rather than generative AI. Explainable models allow humans to understand how the system came to a specific conclusion. This makes it possible to track every step of its decision-making process. Human oversight ensures fairness and inclusion.
A Final Look Into the Future
As the need for more efficient and sustainable lending methods continues to affect East Africa, Emata’s plan is to expand to Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia within the next two years, thanks to its cooperation with multinational agri companies. Through these AI-driven digital loans in Uganda, Emata works to advance financial inclusion and progress for low-income farmers, especially women, who were left behind by formal institutions and their unreachable lending requirements.
– Johanna Lorena Arredondo Gonzalez
Johanna is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Interviewee
5 Facts About Hunger in Uruguay
Hunger in Uruguay is Very Low
The 2024 Global Hunger Index designates hunger in Uruguay as Low, with a score of less than 5. This score has been consistently low, trending downward since 2000 when it was 7.6, and dropping below 5 beginning in 2016. The country is “very low” on all four component indicators: undernourishment (<2.5%), child mortality (0.7%) and child wasting (1.3%), with its highest indicator being child stunting (9.1%).
The most recent Global Nutrition Report’s 13-target profile shows Uruguay as “on course” for childhood stunting and wasting, and overweight, as well as for elevated blood pressure for men and women, with “some progress” on low birthweight. However, it is “off course” for obesity, diabetes and sodium intake for both men and women. Anemia among women of childbearing age has made no progress or is worsening, with a steady increase since 2010, and is significantly higher for pregnant women.
Poverty
Although Uruguay has one of the lowest poverty rates in the region (0.1% International Poverty Line, 10.1% National Poverty Line), child poverty is still twice the national average. In addition, 18.9% of the population suffers from multidimensional poverty, deprived of education, housing, basic services, social protection and employment.
Food Security Strengths and Challenges
Food insecurity is related to both hunger and nutrition. Despite its excellent economy, there are still Uruguayans who experience moderate or severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was reported in 2023 to affect approximately 15% of households, primarily those with children and adolescents. Food insecurity became more visible during the economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022 Global Food Security Index breaks down the nature of Uruguay’s food insecurity as follows:
The country’s strengths are disaster risk management, policy commitments regarding food security and access and food safety legislation and mechanisms, along with low poverty and the presence and nature of food safety-net programs. Challenges are average food costs, dietary diversity, farm infrastructure and ocean and land “health.”
Food Self-Sufficiency
The nature of Uruguay’s farmland (flat and fertile) is the basis of its food self-sufficiency ability, as is the fact that it is one of the largest exporters of grains, soybeans and beef. In addition, there is the presence of strategies such as frequent crop rotations, government policies focused on healthy soil and animals, and satellite imagery that pinpoints higher-risk erosion areas so responsible farmers can take corrective action.
With a cow population four times the size of its human population, legislation prohibiting the use of antibiotics and hormones in cattle promotes both human health and animal welfare. Farming biotechnologies, for example, genome sequencing, enhances product quality. Cold tanks, mandatory pasteurization at the industrial level and measures to lower the risk of contaminants have improved the quality of its dairy products, 70% of which are exported. The country’s attention to both safety and food system innovation has made it “a top competitor for the most food-self-sufficient countries in the world.”
The Future
Uruguay demonstrates how strategic agricultural practices, robust public policies and a strong commitment to social welfare can address hunger and support self-sufficiency. However, while it is one of the world’s most food-secure nations, it faces challenges such as obesity, child poverty and uneven nutrition outcomes, especially among women and children. As Uruguay continues to build on its strengths, it models valuable lessons for other nations striving to balance food availability, affordability and nutritional well-being.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Emata’s AI-Driven Digital Loans in Uganda
Uganda: A Rich Land
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on financial stability worldwide. Its impact on low-income countries was devastating for vulnerable communities. According to the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS), the level of poverty in Uganda had decreased in 2016 and 2017. In 2020, it increased again to 21.9%.
The land, however, is far from poor. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that as much as 80% of Uganda’s 241,038 square kilometers of territory is fertile land that could be used for agriculture. Nonetheless, only 35% of its land is being cultivated. Dairy, maize and beef, among others, are of crucial value for food security and export revenue.
Filling in the Gaps
According to the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), only 10% of smallholder farmers own an account with a bank or financial institution. Because they are seen as risky investments, financial help remains out of reach for most small farmers. AgEcon Search research reports that in the region, 80% of the rural population depends on agriculture; however, the lack of access to credit limits the farmers’ ability to grow.
In an interview with The Borgen Project, Emata founders Bram van den Bosch and Dario Raffaele explain how they have found a way to contribute to smallholder farmers through AI-driven digital loans in Uganda: “They’re hardworking but trapped: they know which inputs would increase yields, but can’t afford them upfront. That’s the gap we fix—and we fix it for the good farmers, the ones already showing the discipline, consistency and grit needed to professionalize.”
Emata’s mission is to fill these gaps through a thoroughly different approach from local financial institutions:
Loans normally range from $25 to $1,200. Beneficiaries can be smallholders, middle farmers or professionals. In addition, Emata can help borrowers meet other unmet or unexpected financial needs, such as school fees, health emergencies, small business support and cash flow between seasons.
The Farmer’s Journey
In practice, a farmer begins by delivering their product to their local agri cooperative. The company registers the transaction in Emata’s system. From their data, Emata uses AI to calculate their risk and capabilities, assigning them an alternative credit score.
This score determines credit limits for the borrower. The agent then assists the farmers in sending a mobile request to Emata, which approves the loan instantly. The money is then sent via mobile or as input-on-credit.
Repayment is made when the borrower sells their harvest to Emata’s local partner. The founders told The Borgen Project about the farmers who come to them: “The vast majority earn low, volatile farm-based income and would be invisible to traditional banks. Emata is often the first formal lender they have ever worked with. Our data shows that 90% earn under $5/day and 60% earn under $2/day. With Emata, farmers on average grow their income by 30%.”
Women’s Representation
Emata’s most common borrowers are smallholders who did not qualify for credit from financial institutions. According to its metrics, 26% are women. “One of the toughest barriers isn’t financial or technological—it’s cultural,” Emata says, “…women are still underrepresented in many value chains simply because they are not recognized as the ‘primary farmer’ in their household or cooperative.”
A study published by FAO confirms that Uganda’s women who are heads of households and live in rural areas are among the most impoverished. While women are involved in up to 68% of the agricultural process, only 7% officially own the land and less than 1% have access to credit.
To Emata, it is important to make a positive change: “These gaps reflect decades of gendered agricultural norms. And this is exactly where we are slowly making a difference: digitizing records, formalizing farmer identity and embedding lending inside organized value chains is already pulling more women into financial visibility and giving them a documented track record for the first time.”
The Right Tool for the Job
AI-driven digital loans in Uganda that are approved and granted instantly have proven to be an efficient method to reach the most vulnerable but determined farmers. The founders admit that without AI, “we wouldn’t be able to build a profitable and sustainable portfolio and we wouldn’t be able to serve tens of thousands of farmers in minutes.”
Notably, LLMs have been accused of showing racial bias due to training data that reflects society’s prejudices. Emata addresses these concerns by excluding demographic data from its scoring process. Its model takes only harvest records into account to determine credit allowances.
At the same time, Emata uses explainable models rather than generative AI. Explainable models allow humans to understand how the system came to a specific conclusion. This makes it possible to track every step of its decision-making process. Human oversight ensures fairness and inclusion.
A Final Look Into the Future
As the need for more efficient and sustainable lending methods continues to affect East Africa, Emata’s plan is to expand to Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia within the next two years, thanks to its cooperation with multinational agri companies. Through these AI-driven digital loans in Uganda, Emata works to advance financial inclusion and progress for low-income farmers, especially women, who were left behind by formal institutions and their unreachable lending requirements.
– Johanna Lorena Arredondo Gonzalez
Photo: Interviewee
5 Facts About Hunger in Tuvalu
5 Facts About Food and Hunger in Tuvalu
Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Food Security in Tuvalu
In recent years, various stakeholders have been working to address food insecurity in Tuvalu through collaborative initiatives aimed at improving agricultural resilience, promoting local food production and reducing dependence on imported goods.
Tuvalu’s Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, has worked on the development of government gardens. These initiatives introduced composting facilities, heat-tolerant crops and raised garden beds to improve local food production. Alongside these technical improvements, the government has promoted healthier diets by offering nutrition education and local recipes to encourage better use of homegrown produce. A particularly impactful initiative has been the Department of Agriculture’s push for home gardens, encouraging households to grow vegetables on their own land. These gardens not only help diversify diets and reduce food imports but also promote physical activity and mental well-being.
Another initiative to address food insecurity in Tuvalu is the one promoted by the NGO Live & Learn Environmental Education (LLEE) through its “Tuvalu Food Futures” project. The project has supported food garden development both in Funafuti and on outer islands like Nukufetau and Nukulaelae.
While Tuvalu continues to face challenges from the changing climate, economic limitations and a growing reliance on imported food, local and international efforts are helping to build a more food-secure future. By investing in sustainable agriculture, promoting homegrown solutions and reviving traditional practices, Tuvalu is taking important steps toward restoring resilience and self-sufficiency in the face of uncertainty.
– Seona Maskara
Photo: Flickr
Improving the Response to HIV/AIDS in The Gambia
The Background
The Republic of the Gambia experienced its first detection of HIV/AIDS in 1986. In response, they created a new department within the Ministry of Health called the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). While the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the general population remains relatively low, at less than 2%, key subpopulations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) experience disproportionately high prevalence rates. While the country continuously progresses in its treatment services for HIV/AIDS since 1986, progress stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many resources, skills, personnel and medical equipment essential to HIV/AIDS treatment were repurposed during the pandemic to treat COVID-19 patients. In response to the dual HIV and COVID-19 epidemics, the Gambia improved its HIV/AIDS reduction strategies by investing in better prevention services, especially targeting key subpopulations and increasing the utilization and accessibility of treatment services.
Key Statistics:
National HIV/AIDS Policy 2022-2027
UNAIDS and the Gambia created a Joint Programme in 2022 to develop the National HIV/AIDS Policy 2022-2027. The policy advances the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and diminishes societal and legal barriers limiting access to treatment services. The Joint Programme prioritizes the revision and implementation of stronger National HIV prevention policies and strategizing preventive measures targeting key populations to improve the response to HIV/AIDS in the Gambia.
Key Results:
Education Plus Initiative
The Education Plus Initiative (2021-2025) is a preventative effort against HIV/AIDS specifically in girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. This joint Initiative includes UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women in response to the startling amount of young women and girls infected with HIV and dying from AIDS in sub-Saharan countries. The Gambia joined eight other countries in 2022 by launching the Education Plus Initiative. The initiative integrates expanded access to secondary education for adolescent girls as an entry point for comprehensive health education, HIV prevention strategies and women empowerment.
Key Results:
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Programme
The Gambia initiated the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Programme (PMTCT) in the early 2000s to prevent the transmission of HIV from HIV-positive mothers to their infants during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. The programme outlined several strategies and objectives to reduce mother-to-child transmission. Strategies to increase the utilization of services and testing included establishing Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) sites in health facilities, dissemination of information on the programme to the community and offering VCCT services to all women attending antenatal clinics. Strategies for effective treatment included providing antiretroviral (ARV) therapy to HIV-positive women, Cotrimoxazole to exposed children and counseling for infant feeding to HIV-positive mothers.
Key Results:
HIV Training Services for Maternal and Health Facilities
With support from the Joint Programme, the Gambia improves the treatment of mothers and pregnant women with HIV and the prevention of vertical transmission. Training on providing comprehensive HIV services such as counseling, ARV treatment and infant feeding became accessible to health care workers working in maternal and health facilities. Advancements in HIV training for health workers is an important strategy to improve the response to HIV/AIDS in the Gambia.
Key Results:
Nutrition Education and Services for People Living With HIV
The Ministry of Health and the National Nutrition Agency in the Gambia collaborated to provide a three-month period of specialized nutritious food for breastfeeding women with HIV to optimize health status and outcomes. The National AIDS Control Programme (WFP) partnered with the Joint Programme to create a social and behavioral change communication training empowering community members to inform HIV-positive people on nutrition and breastfeeding with HIV.
Key Results:
Poverty and HIV/AIDS
Living in extreme poverty increases the risk of contracting HIV, and living with HIV/AIDS only exacerbates the burden of poverty. Basse is a region with one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates within the Gambia. The Basse region also has the highest rate of food insecurity, at 19%, in the country. Gender inequality and poverty make women in Africa especially vulnerable to infection due to lack of access to information, health care, formal education, financial opportunity and increased exposure to sexual violence. Furthermore, financial insecurity and violence against women lead to more FSW in impoverished communities. Indeed, FSW are a key population disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in the Gambia.
Conclusion
The Gambia has taken various innovative measures to improve HIV/AIDS response. The focus on key subpopulations while developing prevention initiatives improved access to services and distribution of resources to those who need it most. Women and girls benefit from the integration of secondary education and HIV/AIDS information and enhanced nutritional services for breastfeeding women with HIV. The country used lessons learned from the halt in progress during the COVID-19 pandemic to reform and improve their reduction and prevention strategies to eliminate the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
– Sarah Merrill
Photo: Pixabay
Education in Andorra
Andorra is a high-GDP state, ranking 23rd out of 222 ($64,600 in 2023). Its primary industry is tourism (skiing). A nontax haven financial sector makes banking and finance other critical industries. It has a 100% literacy rate, despite ranking 187th out of 201 on GDP for education (1.9% GDP in 2023).
A Unique System of Education
Andorra’s free and compulsory (through age 16) educational system reflects its unique geographic location and its tripartite cultural diversity and comprises multiple systems. Primary age children (first 6 of 12 years) are approximately equally divided among Andorran-, French- and Spanish-medium schools. Facilities and Andorran-speaking teachers are provided by the government. Schools with Spanish- or French-speaking teachers provide their own. The core language in the Andorran schools is Catalan, with French, English and Spanish as secondary languages.
There are approximately 5,500 primary school children each year. There are three options for secondary school: a general program, a technical program and a special needs program, but less than half of those who wual go on to one of the programs.
School Skiing
A unique aspect of Andorran education is the ski school component, required as part of the physical education curriculum in first grade and optional after that. In 2003, the Andorran government formalized the skiing part of the public school curriculum and updated and amended it in 2012. The government supports oversight for ski school trips, monitors and companions, discounted lift passes for ski school participants and subsidized equipment for children on social assistance.
Tertiary Education in Andorra
Agora Andorra was founded in 1999 as the principality’s first private school. In 2017, it was renamed Agora Andorra International School, providing multilingual education, plus the official language of Andorra, Catalan. The most recent (2018) addition to the three systems is The British College of Andorra, offering early years (from age three), primary and secondary education, plus the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (year 13).
At the college level, the University of Andorra has a small, primarily long-distance enrollment, or students may choose to attend college in France or in Spain. Ud’A offers in-person degree programs in business, humanities, law and nursing. Computing, communication and language programs are virtual programs in collaboration with other universities. There are also several master’s and other postgraduate programs.
A Changing Environment for Education?
A state with a high quality of life and low taxes, approximately 68% of Andorra’s residents are foreign-born (mostly from Spain). In addition, 2024 saw 9.6 million tourists. The country’s education system, therefore, reflects the reality of its economic environment, as well as its cultural diversity.
At the same time, Andorra is diversifying its tourism-focused economy with investments in digital infrastructure and technological services. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, has been defined as a “hotspot” for the growth of e-commerce. In addition to the challenge of creating a balance between tourism and the technological sector, it will be interesting to see whether and how such a change in the economic sector might affect the educational sector, at all levels.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay
Renewable Energy in Suriname: A Pathway Out of Poverty
Renewable energy initiatives in Suriname, supported by government partners and international institutions, are expanding continuous electricity access to remote areas. These programs improve educational opportunities, reduce household energy costs and bring dependable power to villages that previously relied on expensive diesel generators. Here are five Ways that renewable energy reduces poverty in Suriname:
1. Solar Microgrids Bring Power To Remote Villages
The Suriname Village Photovoltaic Microgrid Project is a major step toward expanding renewable energy in Suriname’s interior. The initiative uses solar photovoltaic battery storage and hybrid systems to provide uninterrupted electricity to remote forest villages that historically had only a few hours of power each evening. As of 2024, 12 remote villages are connected to the first phases of the project and this infrastructure is being expanded to serve 34 villages with continuous electricity at a combined capacity of approximately 5,314 MWh once fully completed. These microgrids enable households to use lighting, refrigeration and phone charging throughout the day and night improving quality of life and creating new economic possibilities for residents.
2. Clean Energy Reduces Expenses at a Household Level
Although Suriname has a high national electricity access rate, rural communities continue to lag behind. More than 99% of urban residents have access to grid electricity, while rural access falls below 90% and many remote villages rely on diesel generators that provide power for only a few hours each day. Renewable energy infrastructure is expanding through solar mini-grids and hybrid systems that combine solar panels, battery storage and diesel backup to bring more reliable power to isolated communities. For example, in addition to the Suriname Village Microgrid Photovoltaic Project’s accomplishments, PowerChina is building additional hybrid solar microgrid plants to supply electricity to 25 villages across regions such as Daume, Cajana and Galibi. By replacing diesel generation, these renewable systems reduce fuel costs and price volatility while improving the stability of daily life for rural families.
3. Renewable Projects Create Skilled Jobs
Renewable energy projects like the solar microgrid deployments often create opportunities for local employment in installation operations and maintenance. International development frameworks for rural renewable projects typically include capacity building components to strengthen local skills and workforce readiness. For example, technical cooperation programs supported by institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank aim to increase local capacity for energy infrastructure development and productive use of electricity in rural areas.
4. Clean Energy Empowers Small Businesses and Farmers
Consistent electricity from renewable sources allows students to study after dark and supports digital learning tools in rural schools. Stable energy also enables small businesses such as shops and refrigeration services to operate reliably beyond daylight hours. Hybrid microgrids and solar PV systems moving into Suriname’s interior are part of this broader trend empowering communities to plan and expand entrepreneurial activities with a dependable power supply.
5. Renewable Energy Strengthens Climate Resilience
Changing weather patterns threaten Suriname’s rural economy through flooding and disruptions to traditional livelihoods. Renewable energy in Suriname, especially decentralized solar PV and hybrid systems, improves energy resilience by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and fossil fuel price shocks. Decentralized systems also provide essential power for critical services such as health clinics and water supply systems even during severe weather events or grid interruptions.
Conclusion
Renewable energy in Suriname plays a critical role in reducing poverty by expanding electricity access, lowering household costs and creating employment opportunities. Solar microgrids, home systems and hybrid energy projects strengthen education, health care and small businesses while improving resilience to changing weather patterns. As these initiatives continue to grow, renewable energy in Suriname offers a sustainable pathway toward economic stability and long-term poverty reduction.
– Shahzeb Khan
Photo: Unsplash
Understanding Hunger in Türkiye
However, a 2023 report from the Turkish Statistical Institute revealed that nearly one in three people in Türkiye faces the risk of poverty or social exclusion.
Persistently High Inflation
Türkiye’s inflation rate remains high at around 70%, significantly impacting the cost of essential goods, including food. In some instances, prices have doubled, with people struggling to afford basic products.
Moreover, the minimum wage often falls below the hunger threshold, making it difficult for families to meet their nutritional needs.
Children are particularly affected by the worsening economic conditions. Approximately one-third of Turkish children live in poverty, with many experiencing malnutrition, stunted growth and increased rates of child labor.
Economic hardship has led to increased child poverty, with many children forced to work to support their families. This not only affects their education and development but also reflects the broader issue of food insecurity within households.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, have disrupted food production and distribution networks. For instance, the devastating earthquake in February 2023 caused significant infrastructure damage, aggravating food insecurity in affected regions. The earthquake resulted in over 50,000 deaths, injured 107,000 people, and either damaged or destroyed 1.9 million homes, leaving 3.3 million people displaced—two million of whom required emergency shelter. The cost of recovery and reconstruction is estimated at $81.5 billion, adding strain to an already fragile situation.
The Long Term Impact of Refugees
Türkiye is home to one of the largest refugee populations globally, with over 3.1 million Syrians and nearly 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers from other countries. Since 2011, the country has allocated nearly €10 billion to support both refugees and the communities that host them, with the help of EU funds.
The long-term presence of Syrian refugees in Türkiye has brought both challenges and benefits, affecting the economy, labor market and society. Syrian refugees, many of whom are employed in the informal sector, have intensified competition for low-skilled jobs—particularly in agriculture and construction—affecting Turkish workers in these fields. However, some studies indicate that their presence has also contributed to the creation of formal, higher-wage employment opportunities. In areas with large refugee populations, rising demand has driven up prices for housing and services. Despite these challenges, refugees have helped boost the Turkish economy through increased consumption and investment, positively impacting GDP in certain sectors, accounting for around 2% of the country’s GDP in 2017. Their presence also led to a production boost of 30.6 billion TL across various sectors, which resulted in about 20.9 billion TL in added economic value—equivalent to 1.51% of GDP.
Organizations Fighting to Eradicate Hunger in Türkiye
Several organizations are actively working to address hunger and food insecurity in Türkiye:
While notable progress was made in reducing poverty and hunger in Türkiye over the past decade, the country continues to face challenges related to hunger, driven by high inflation and natural disasters. Through targeted support, sustainable development strategies, and humanitarian aid, there is a path forward to reduce hunger in Türkiye and help vulnerable communities access the food, resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
– Arianna Distefano
Photo: Pexels
Lights, Camera: Africa’s Film Industry Can End Poverty
International Effort
Nigeria’s collaboration with China demonstrates how international cooperation can accelerate skills development, financing and technology transfer while creating jobs for mutual benefit. At the summit, China presented the documentary Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty, which documented China’s success in lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty over 40 years. Nigerian officials considered these lessons to understand how Africa’s film industry can help end poverty by leveraging creative sectors as engines of socioeconomic growth.
IFC and AfDB Supporting Africa’s Film Industry
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) partnered with EbonyLife Media, Nigeria’s leading media company, to explore creating a pan-African investment vehicle for the film sector. The initiative aims to improve access to financing for productions that showcase African stories globally and support domestic job creation, particularly among youth. EbonyLife Media has produced some of the region’s highest-grossing films and maintains partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, Westbrook Studios, Stars, Macro Film Studios and Idris Elba’s 22 Summers.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under 30. By 2030, young Africans are projected to make up 42% of global youth, creating a large talent pool and an expanding audience for film and media content. Initiatives that show how Africa’s film industry can help end poverty must target this demographic to ensure sustained economic growth.
Economic Impact
South Africa’s film industry demonstrates measurable economic impact. In 2016–17, operational expenditure of R4.4 billion contributed to a total economic output of approximately R12.2 billion, with an employment multiplier of 4.9, meaning nearly two additional people benefited for each R1 invested.
Nigeria’s Nollywood produces roughly 50 films per week, generates an estimated R8.1 billion annually and ranks as the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture. Kenya produces higher-cost, higher-quality films, but lower revenue per film limits investment and scale.
Recent successes, including the Nigerian Netflix thriller The Black Book, which reached 5.6 million views in two days and ranked third globally, illustrate how Africa’s film industry can help end poverty by reaching global audiences and creating economic opportunities for local creators.
Looking Forward
Investment in skills development, production infrastructure, business support services and policy reform will transform Africa’s creative talent into sustainable economic outcomes. Coordinated efforts by governments, development finance institutions and private investors remain essential to realizing how Africa’s film industry can help end poverty, expand employment and promote inclusive economic growth.
– Mollie Skogen
Photo: Flickr
The Relocation of Poverty in Colombia
HelpAge International
The Borgen Project spoke with Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano, project officer for HelpAge International.
Moncaleano works for HelpAge International in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. A city once rumored to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world during the 1990s has since transformed into a thriving, tourist-friendly capital and one of the most developed cities in Colombia.
Specifically, HelpAge International is a nongovernmental organization that aims to support the aging population by protecting its rights and helping it live healthy, fulfilling lives away from poverty and homelessness. Moncaleano is a project officer for the organization and works explicitly on poverty-prevention projects.
Observed Changes in Poverty
She has observed a decrease in poverty. “Yes, poverty has decreased in Colombia.” Statistical poverty reduction suggests that its steadily declining rate will yield long-lasting positive effects.
A primary reason for the poverty decrease is Colombians moving out of rural areas and into city life. “There is internal immigration that is heading to cities like Cali. But not many migrate to Bogota.” Many people who are experiencing poverty move to urban areas for job opportunities and income.
Common Misconceptions About Poverty
“There are more forms of poverty than just monetary poverty,” says Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano, a manager who works for HelpAge International, a nongovernmental organization that supports the elderly experiencing poverty. Moncaleano explains that there are two main types of poverty. The most common type is monetary poverty, a measuring system that financially classifies households by income. Then there is multidimensional poverty, which is difficult to measure since it considers many aspects beyond finances, such as education, health care, sanitation and environmental safety.
“Multidimensional standards are important to consider,” Moncaleano says. Poverty is experienced differently depending on the situation and geography. For instance, rural areas grow their own food, whereas urban areas buy groceries from supermarkets. In other words, rural areas are not poor in access to food like urban areas are; instead, rural areas are poor in resources such as access to local schools or hospitals.
Hope for Addressing Poverty in Colombia
To explore this broader national shift, Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano has shed light on the evolving landscape of poverty in Colombia and provided a human lens through which to understand its many dimensions. “I have so much hope for poverty reduction.” Moncaleano began working with HelpAge International because she believed in the Colombian community and the power of generations working together. “When the skies are gray, you can make the sun appear.”
Solutions to Poverty Reduction
Moving forward, Colombia will continue to reduce poverty but may have some gray-sky days. Moncaleano suggests two solutions to reduce the poverty rate. Her expertise lies in the elderly, and she suggests creating aging-friendly cities. Moncaleano has shared that there are few job opportunities or activities for the elderly past the age of 40.
The creation of more jobs or community-based events for elders can potentially provide income and purpose and reduce poverty among the elderly population. “The elderly always want to work. They want to feel life and want to feel productive.”
– Mireya Aguilar
Photo: Flickr
Thailand Is Granting Myanmar Refugees Access to Employment
Background
A violent military regime drove the refugees out of Myanmar. Since then, they have been living in nine camps spread across the Thai border and have been completely dependent upon foreign aid. A diminishing foreign aid budget, particularly from the United States, has contributed to this decision.
According to Léon De Riedtmatten, executive director of the Border Consortium (TBC), the United States was one of the largest donors to the refugee camps. The TBC is one of the largest suppliers of food to the camps. The current administration has significantly reduced the overseas budget this year, which has, in turn, forced the TBC to provide aid only to the most vulnerable. According to De Riedmatten, Thai officials knew that no other government would be willing to support as much as the United States would.
As a result, Thai officials approved employment access for Myanmar refugees to reduce labor shortages and protect human rights. Cambodian workers leaving the labor force following an armed conflict at the border also influenced this policy change.
Economic Impacts
Tammi Sharpe, a UNHCR representative, has emphasized this development as a turning point. According to Sharpe, “With this policy shift, Thailand transforms hosting refugees into an engine of growth – for refugees, for host communities and for the nation as a whole.” She further confirms that providing employment access to Myanmar refugees benefits both Thailand and the refugees themselves.
Refugees will have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families while also stimulating the Thai economy. Job growth is expected to increase as thousands of Myanmar refugees join the workforce and, in turn, the national GDP is also projected to rise. This marks a positive step toward poverty reduction.
As more refugees gain employment, dependence on aid is expected to decrease, while social mobility improves. Sharpe explained that the UNHCR has partnered with the World Bank to analyze economic data tracking how refugees are entering and participating in the formal job market. Humanitarian organizations also hope to expand employment access for refugees living outside the camps.
Conclusion
Granting Myanmar refugees access to employment marks a turning point in their relationship with Thailand. It will serve as a mutually beneficial process; Myanmar refugees will receive the means to support themselves and increase their standard of living, while the Thai economy will experience a boost in job growth and GNP. Poverty will diminish directly for the refugees and indirectly over time for people living in Thailand via systemic change. Overall, this policy change provides a hopeful trajectory for the country’s economic future.
– Sasha Banaei
Photo: Flickr