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The Strengths and Limitations of Coconut Farming in Indonesia

Coconut Farming in IndonesiaWhile Indonesia is the world’s top exporter of coconuts, generating more than $1 billion annually, according to upper-middle-income definitions, roughly 68% of Indonesians live in poverty. Although Indonesia and the Philippines accounted for about 67% of crude coconut oil export, coconut farming in Indonesia highlights both the strengths and limits of agriculture in reducing poverty.

The Strengths of the Indonesian Coconut Industry

Roughly 6.6 million Indonesian farmers rely on the coconut industry as their main source of income. In a country where infrastructure development is severely constrained by its island chain geography, coconut farming in Indonesia is a lifeline for the eastern region in particular. In this region, communities are spread across thousands of scattered islands.

Due to geographic isolation and limited infrastructure, 80% of livelihoods in certain areas of Eastern Indonesia rely on subsistence farming. Coconut farming in Indonesia remains accessible to rural communities, as the country’s climate supports year-round growth. Additionally, coconut crops require less fertilizer than many other crops, allowing lower-income households to cultivate small plots and harvest multiple times throughout the year.

This sector not only supports farming households but also entire rural communities. Beyond smallholder farmers, the industry sustains a wide network of livelihoods, including transport workers, market sellers and processing workers, all of whom rely on coconut production for income. As global demand for healthy alternatives and plant-based options surges, the Indonesian coconut industry is projected to grow at a faster rate in the coming years. 

This growth could create new opportunities for exports, value-added production and increased income potential for smallholder farmers in Indonesia.

The Limits of the Coconut Industry

Despite its scale, coconut farming in Indonesia faces limitations that prevent many farmers from earning higher incomes. One of the most significant issues is low productivity. Coconut yields in Indonesia average around 1.1 tons per hectare, although higher-performing varieties can yield more than 2.8 tons per hectare. This is due to the use of older trees, less efficient farming methods and the continued use of lower-yield crops. 

Additionally, pests, disease and land conversion make it difficult for farmers to maintain strong production, ultimately reducing their potential income. Replanting efforts also remain limited, as new coconut trees can take six to 10 years to reach full productivity. This makes it difficult for smallholder farmers to replace aging crops without facing short-term income losses. 

As a result, many farmers continue relying on older trees with declining yields, reinforcing cycles of low productivity and low income. When coconut farming in Indonesia is stable, farmers often remain at the lowest level of the value chain. Most smallholders sell raw coconuts or copra rather than value-added products such as coconut oil or packaged goods. 

Low Returns

A significant portion of profits is captured later in the supply chain by processors and exporters. This leaves farmers with relatively low returns. In Indonesia’s eastern archipelago, communities are spread across remote, dispersed islands. This geography limits infrastructure development, making it difficult to transport goods. Farmers in these areas often face higher transportation costs and reduced access to larger markets, forcing them to sell locally at lower prices.

Coconut farming in Indonesia is also vulnerable to price fluctuations in global markets. Coconut prices are influenced by broader vegetable oil markets, including competition with palm oil, which is often cheaper and more widely used. As the world’s largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has historically directed more investment and policy support toward that sector, leaving coconut farming comparatively underdeveloped.

Strengthening Indonesia’s Coconut Sector

While coconut farming continues to support millions of livelihoods, these structural challenges highlight its limits. For many rural communities, the industry provides stability and income, but often at a level that sustains households rather than significantly improving long-term economic mobility. However, efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s coconut sector are already underway.

Government programs and international organizations are focusing on replanting aging trees, improving farming techniques and expanding access to value-added production. These initiatives aim to help farmers move beyond raw coconut sales and capture a larger share of the industry’s profits. At the same time, investments in rural infrastructure and market access could make it easier for farmers in eastern regions to connect with larger supply chains.

While coconut farming in Indonesia alone may not be enough to lift communities out of poverty, targeted support and modernization efforts show that the industry still holds significant potential to improve livelihoods across the country.

– Kale Overton

Kale is based in Ames, Iowa, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Africa’s Investment in 2026: The Continent’s Economic Rise

Africa's Investment in 2026Amid declining foreign aid and shifting global alliances, Africa’s investment in 2026 is telling a new story. Recent reporting by The Economist highlights a shift in Africa’s economic trajectory, as the continent demonstrates resilience despite declining foreign aid and changing global financial conditions.

For decades, global narratives have often framed Africa as a recipient of aid, a perception shaped by economic crises, humanitarian emergencies and international development campaigns. However, in recent years, a shift has begun. According to projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to outpace Asia in economic growth in 2026 for the first time. Six out of the 10 fastest-growing economies of 2026 are African countries. This growth signals a broader transition from aid dependency to investment-driven development.

Africa’s Investment in 2026

Africa is now receiving less in aid than it is in remittances and foreign direct investment (FDI). More countries are participating in African investment in 2026 than at any previous point. FDI in Africa rose sharply in 2024, increasing by 75% to $97 billion and raising the continent’s share of global FDI from 4% to 6%.

Europe, the United States and China remain the lead investors in Africa. However, in 2025, a broader range of countries began to increase their presence on the continent. Japan and India are committed to a partnership focused on investing in African mineral resources. An Emirati conglomerate, International Resources Holding, acquired a controlling stake in a tin mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a similar investment in a Zambian copper mine in 2024. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) purchased a majority stake in Olam Agri, a Singaporean agribusiness firm with a significant presence in Africa.

Gulf-based companies such as DP World are also expanding port infrastructure across the continent, while firms like France’s TotalEnergies continue to invest in large-scale energy projects in Mozambique. Global technology companies, including Microsoft and Google, are increasing investments in digital infrastructure, reflecting growing interest in Africa’s emerging tech markets. Venture capital is also expanding, with initiatives such as Norrsken22, a $200 million tech investment fund focused on African startups, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

An Opportunity to Become a Global Player

Although recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts, have exposed Africa’s reliance on imports and structural weaknesses, they have also created opportunities for the continent. More countries, particularly in Europe, are turning toward Africa for resources such as critical minerals and oil, as well as for opportunities to invest in infrastructure projects. This growing external interest is one of the key drivers behind the surge in Africa investment in 2026.

Africans are also increasingly investing in Africa. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has focused on finding opportunities across the continent. Dangote Cement is Africa’s largest cement producer, with operations from Ethiopia to Senegal to South Africa. Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals operates an oil processing facility with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, designed to supply fuel to West, Central and East Africa. The Dangote Group recently announced a minimum $1 billion investment in a pipeline, power generation and cement plant in Zimbabwe. Ranked by Forbes as Africa’s wealthiest individual, Dangote has demonstrated the value of investing in the home continent.

African Governance and Sovereignty

African countries are building more robust economic systems. In 2025, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda, among others, made changes diverting more funds toward private equity and venture capital.

With encouragement from the African Union (AU), countries have also begun increasing exchanges with one another, whether through trade, cash flows or movement of people. African governments are becoming more integrated rather than relying solely on partnerships with Europe, the U.S. and China.

This assertion of agency extends beyond economics. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have removed French as their official language, reflecting broader efforts to assert political and economic sovereignty and redefine relationships with former colonial powers.

Looking Ahead

The continent continues to face significant challenges, including extreme poverty, ongoing conflicts and a historical dependence on foreign powers. However, the trajectory of Africa’s investment in 2026 points in a new direction. Africa’s tech sector continues to expand, with startups attracting increasing investment and driving innovation in finance, logistics and digital services. African countries are also diversifying their global partnerships, attracting investment from the Middle East, Asia and private sector actors beyond traditional Western donors. These developments signal a broader transition toward investment, self-sufficiency and long-term economic growth.

As stated by South African business executive, Euvin Naidoo: “You can make money, you can lose money in Africa. But opportunities, boy oh boy, they exist.” Africa investments in 2026 reflect that growing confidence.

– Chloe Bonnefil

Chloe is based in Miami, FL, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How High Living Costs in Bonaire Strain Working Families

High Living Costs in BonaireHigh living costs in Bonaire have become a daily problem for many individuals residing on the Dutch Caribbean island. Despite Bonaire being a special municipality of the Netherlands, many working-class residents still struggle to afford necessities for themselves and their families. Statistics Netherlands reported that 20% of Bonaire’s residents experienced difficulty making ends meet, while 25% of children under the age of 18 were at risk of poverty in 2022. 

Housing Costs Leave Little Room To Breathe

Housing has become one of the most obvious ways in which high living costs in Bonaire have affected daily life. A Dutch government advisory report from 2023 stated that the high cost of living on the island is partially due to the lack of substantial housing and that these costs particularly impact low-income people. The same report stated that Bonaire had 565 public-sector housing units available and around 1,000 families on the waiting list.

This leaves many lower-income residents dependent on an expensive private rental market or living in crowded multigenerational households. For working families, this can mean paying too much for rent while also giving up privacy, stability and peace of mind.

Food and Transport Turn Essentials Into Financial Stress

High living costs in Bonaire do not end with rent. The government’s advisory committee also found that almost all the food and drinks consumed in Bonaire are imported from other places, mainly the Netherlands, keeping their prices very high. Statistics Netherlands reported that the prices of goods in Bonaire were 36% higher in 2024 than in 2010, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were 51% higher than over a decade ago.

Transportation also adds another layer of pressure. The same government report stated that there is no public transportation on the island, meaning residents across income levels are often forced to rely on private options. For low-income families, this leads to consequences such as having to pay back costly loans, depending on rides from others and having fewer opportunities to work, receive education and run daily errands.

Work Does Not Always Protect Families From the Poverty Trap

High living costs in Bonaire are especially problematic, as many residents are employed in sectors that offer modest wages. CBS reported in late 2024 that average wages in Bonaire were lower than in neighboring islands such as Sint Eustatius and Saba during the 2011–2022 period. A large number of jobs in Bonaire pay close to or at the statutory minimum wage, especially in tourism-related, retail, construction and manufacturing industries.

Beginning in July 2024, the statutory minimum wage on these three Dutch Caribbean islands was $1,751 per month. Even with this increase, families facing high rents, transport costs and rising grocery bills find that full-time work leaves little money left for savings. Consumer goods and services in Bonaire were also 5.3% more expensive in the second quarter of 2025 compared with 2024, indicating that price pressure has not been fully resolved.

Dutch Measures and Local Housing Efforts Offer Some Relief

The responses that could help alleviate these severe pressures are still in development, but there are signs of improvement. CBS reported that minimum wages and social benefits in the Dutch Caribbean have been systematically increased at a rate exceeding inflation to help low-income families keep up with the rising cost of living. Housing is another area where officials are making progress, with the Executive Council of Bonaire and Hugo de Jonge, Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning, signing the housing deal for Bonaire in 2023.

The housing deal aims to deliver 2,124 affordable homes by 2030. About $11.7 million has been allocated for the first tranche (installment), which will fund the construction of the first 600 homes, including infrastructure, beginning in 2025. The 2023 advisory report also pointed out rental subsidy measures in Bonaire that have already reduced rent costs for some families. 

These efforts will not solve the problem overnight. However, they show that Dutch and locally based institutions are under pressure to respond with more than just temporary promises.

Conclusion

High living costs in Bonaire are not an issue that will disappear quickly, especially on an island where factors such as imported goods, limited housing and car dependence shape everyday life. Still, recent wage increases, subsidy efforts and affordable housing plans suggest that relief is possible if these measures continue and expand. For working families on Bonaire, real progress depends on whether policy changes can make ordinary necessities feel manageable again rather than out of reach.

– Ashirah Newton

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Caribbean Health Systems: Lab Training and AMR in Barbados

AMR in BarbadosIn Barbados, laboratory professionals are helping lead one of the Caribbean’s most important public health efforts: strengthening the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through regional training workshops focused on advanced diagnostic technologies, laboratory information systems and shared surveillance strategies, Barbados is emerging as a key hub for Caribbean cooperation against drug-resistant infections. As AMR continues to threaten health systems worldwide, Barbados offers a model for how regional investment in public health infrastructure can improve long-term development outcomes.

Why AMR Matters

AMR happens when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve, making antibiotics and other medicines less effective. The result is infections that are harder to treat, longer hospital stays and a higher risk of severe illness or death. For smaller island nations, the challenge extends beyond medicine into development itself. 

Limited diagnostic infrastructure can delay treatment decisions, raise health care costs and place greater strain on already stretched public health systems. For Caribbean countries with limited standard laboratories and uneven access to advanced testing equipment, these delays can weaken infection control efforts and reduce the quality of data needed for policy decisions. This is especially significant in lower-resource settings, where preventable illness can deepen poverty by increasing medical expenses and reducing workforce productivity.

How Barbados Is Strengthening Regional Laboratory Capacity

At the center of this effort is the Best-dos-Santos Public Health Laboratory in Bridgetown, where regional training sessions have brought together laboratory professionals from across the Caribbean. Recent workshops organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) focused on Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), AMR characterization and new diagnostic technologies, including Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. These tools allow laboratories to move more quickly from identifying pathogens to determining which antibiotics will work. 

Just as importantly, digital systems such as WHONET and SEDRI-LIMS help countries standardize data collection and share reliable surveillance information across borders. This regional interoperability strengthens the Caribbean’s ability to track resistant infections and coordinate public health responses more efficiently. Barbados’ growing leadership in this space reflects years of capacity-building support through PAHO and the U.K. Fleming Fund. 

According to PAHO, the Best-dos-Santos laboratory has improved microbiology workflows, reporting systems and regional coordination. This positions the country as an emerging reference center for AMR surveillance in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Link Between Stronger Labs and Global Development

Stronger laboratories do more than improve diagnostics. Faster, more accurate testing reduces unnecessary antibiotic use, supports better patient recovery and lowers the long-term costs associated with resistant infections. In practical terms, this means fewer preventable deaths, shorter disruptions to employment and less financial pressure on households already vulnerable to health-related poverty.

For the Caribbean, this also represents a broader investment in resilience. Over the past year, PAHO-supported initiatives delivered 34 critical pieces of laboratory equipment to 14 laboratories in nine Caribbean countries, helping expand the region’s diagnostic capacity and data quality. These improvements strengthen not only clinical care but also national action plans and regional health security.

A Model for Regional Public Health Cooperation

Barbados’ leadership points to a larger shift toward regional self-sufficiency in health infrastructure. As AMR grows into one of the century’s most serious public health threats, Barbados is showing how regional cooperation can turn limited resources into collective strength. By sharing technology, expertise and surveillance systems, Caribbean countries are building a collective response to a problem that no single nation can solve alone. 

Investments in laboratory systems today are helping the region build healthier, more resilient futures tomorrow.

– Angela “Phoenix” Garrett

Angela is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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4 Ways Kuwait Vision 2035 Supports Global Poverty Reduction

Kuwait Vision 2035While Kuwait is known for its vast oil wealth, the country is diversifying its economy and shaping global poverty reduction through its national development plan. Kuwait’s Vision 2035 reflects a broader shift among Gulf states to expand their economic role and reduce poverty in developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where poverty remains a persistent challenge. While extreme poverty rates in the region are lower than in sub-Saharan Africa, millions still face unemployment, displacement and limited access to basic human services. These are issues that Kuwait’s Vision 2035 addresses directly in four ways.

Development Financing Through the Kuwait Fund

Infrastructure in developing countries is sorely lacking, restricting economies and increasing health risks across regions. In many parts of the developing world, hundreds of millions of people still lack reliable electricity, while billions remain without consistent access to transportation networks or digital connectivity, limiting access to jobs, health care and education. Infrastructure planning in the MENA region often stalls due to insufficient funding.

Kuwait addresses this gap through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). The KFAED provides concessional loans and grants to finance infrastructure projects in developing countries, including transportation, water systems and energy access. Further, the Kuwait Vision 2035 initiative builds on Kuwait’s use of the Arab Economic Development Fund. 

Domestic Infrastructure and Regional Trade Expansion

Roughly 90% of Kuwait’s government revenue and 95% of its exports are due to its heavy dependence on oil. This puts the country in a vulnerable position, as it must continuously adjust to the volatile shifts in global energy demand. To diversify the economy and position the country as a regional commercial hub, part of Kuwait Vision 2035 focuses on expanding domestic funding for more than 90 projects.

This includes expanding ports such as Mubarak al Kabeer and national rail and projects such as Silk City, a massive mixed-use area serving as a global hub for trade and finance. By expanding infrastructure and funding for these projects, Kuwait increases economic opportunity for neighboring countries, many of which are still developing. 

Economic Diversification and Foreign Investment Growth 

While Kuwait has made progress in improving its living standards, overdependence on oil revenue has limited economic diversification. Home to the seventh-largest oil reserves in the world, oil allows the state to fund a large public sector in which a staggering 80% to 90% of Kuwaiti nationals are employed.

To address overdependence on oil, Kuwait Vision 2035 promotes private-sector involvement by encouraging public-private partnerships to fund large projects. These partnerships support private-sector industrial development and bring additional funding to public projects, reducing reliance on oil revenues. By expanding its private sector, Kuwait attracts foreign investment and regional economic activity.

Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response 

As of 2026, the MENA region is home to more than 24 million people affected by conflict-driven displacement, including millions of refugees. To address the humanitarian crisis, Kuwait has strengthened its global role through the “Global Positioning” pillar of Kuwait Vision 2035, which emphasizes international cooperation and humanitarian leadership. This includes continued financial support for refugee assistance, food security and emergency relief efforts in conflict-affected regions, often in coordination with the United Nations.

Final Remarks

As Kuwait continues to implement Kuwait Vision 2035, the initiative demonstrates how economic strategy can extend beyond a country’s domestic growth to influence global poverty reduction. Through development financing, infrastructure investment, economic diversification and humanitarian aid, Kuwait is expanding its role in addressing the conditions that drive poverty in developing regions.

– Kale Overton

Kale is based in Ames, IA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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SDG 6 in Iran Faces Rising Pressure as Water Crisis Deepens

SDG 6 in IranIran’s progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) is facing more challenges as water scarcity, drought and unequal access to sanitation threaten long-term development. The United Nations’ goal is to provide safe drinking water and better hygiene for everyone, but Iran’s water systems are struggling with higher demand, less supply and years of overuse.

Recent SDG 6 data show Iran has improved access to drinking water, but this does not capture the whole situation. The country still faces challenges such as water stress, high agricultural demand and limited freshwater resources.

Water Stress Builds

The challenges for SDG 6 in Iran have grown over the years because of drought, groundwater loss, inefficient irrigation and more demand from cities and industry. Recent reports highlight growing concerns about lower rainfall and declining reservoir levels, especially near Tehran and other populated areas.

Much of Iran is naturally arid or semi-arid, which makes the problem harder to solve. When dry conditions persist, aquifers and reservoirs recover slowly, and the effects are felt across homes, farms and local economies.

Agriculture remains the biggest pressure point. It accounts for the majority of water use in Iran, meaning that SDG 6 in Iran is not only about household access to clean water but also about irrigation, food production and long-term water sustainability.

Unequal Impacts

The effects of water stress are not felt evenly. Rural communities, low-income households and people living in marginalized provinces often face the greatest hardship when supplies tighten. In practice, that can mean inconsistent access to water, more time spent securing basic needs and weaker sanitation conditions.

A 2023 statement on SDG 6 in Iran warned that water policymaking has often lacked inclusion, leaving some communities with less influence over the decisions that shape access to water. Water policy is not only a technical issue but also a question of who benefits when scarce resources are divided.

For vulnerable families, water shortages make it harder to stay clean, raise health risks and add stress to households already facing financial difficulties. This shows how SDG 6 in Iran is linked to reducing poverty, improving health and maintaining social stability.

Signs of Progress

Despite the scale of the challenge, there are signs that progress is possible. UNICEF reported in 2024 that it improved access to safe water in flood-affected areas of Iran, showing that emergency and recovery efforts can help restore essential services when support is available.

UNICEF’s global annual results for 2024 also point to the kind of impact water and sanitation programs can have. Worldwide, 33.3 million people gained access to safe water, 18 million gained access to basic sanitation and 21 million gained access to basic hand hygiene. Those are global figures, but they demonstrate that progress on water access is achievable when governments and aid agencies invest in the right systems.

Lasting progress for SDG 6 in Iran will require better water management, more efficient farming and improved wastewater planning to protect future supplies.

Looking Ahead

The most realistic path forward for SDG 6 in Iran is to use existing water more efficiently. Smarter irrigation, groundwater protection and wider wastewater reuse could reduce pressure on drinking water systems while helping communities stay resilient during dry periods.

Iran also needs better coordination between different sectors. Water policy is connected to food production, urban growth and environmental management, since all of these affect how much water is available and who receives it. The U.N.’s SDG 6 plan highlights the need for this kind of coordinated planning, because single solutions rarely address water insecurity on their own.

For families living with shortages, SDG 6 in Iran is not an abstract development target. It is about whether children can drink safely, whether households can maintain basic hygiene and whether communities can build a more stable future. Progress on SDG 6 in Iran remains a priority, and even modest reforms could have a meaningful impact on daily life.

– Niaz Youssefian

Niaz is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Economic Opportunity in Morocco: A Look Into the Textile Sector

Economic Opportunity in Morocco: A Look Into the Textile Sector While Morocco’s youth unemployment rate remains high at around 23%, the country is using its thriving textile sector to lower unemployment rates, boost the economy and expand economic opportunity in Morocco.

Morocco’s Textile Sector

Morocco’s textile sector provides more than 200,000 jobs, accounting for 27% of industrial employment, and contributes 7% of the country’s industrial value. The country is taking the opportunity to create jobs through textile training programs that connect participants directly to an established industry, further supporting economic opportunity in Morocco.

Backed by organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Alwaleed Philanthropies, these programs and initiatives provide participants with skills in not only garment production but also small business development. The Alwaleed Philanthropies initiative has reached more than 6,300 people, with approximately 5,000 people benefiting in 2024 alone.

Strengthening Competitiveness

Morocco’s textile development efforts extend beyond a single initiative. Programs supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) focus on improving competitiveness in the textile and clothing sector by helping small and medium-sized enterprises strengthen production, increase exports and integrate into global value chains. These efforts complement training initiatives by ensuring that newly skilled workers are entering a sector with growing demand and stronger international market access.

At the national level, Morocco has invested in industry-focused initiatives such as the Industrial Acceleration Plan, which emphasizes workforce training, investment and sector growth to support long-term job creation.

Training and Cultural Preservation

By combining textile production skills with workforce training, these programs create a direct pathway for Moroccans to go from learning to earning. The programs also provide specialized training to more than 500 artisans, focusing on areas such as fashion design, model development and creative production.

This program also prioritizes creativity and recognizes the importance of cultural preservation. It helps participants modernize traditional Moroccan textiles so that the sector remains competitive while preserving tradition. Traditional Moroccan textile practices such as the kaftan, are recognized by UNESCO as part of the country’s cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of preserving these techniques while adapting them for modern use.

This combination of preservation and modernization allows participants to maintain cultural identity while also accessing opportunities in tourism, where handcrafted textiles are often sold in local markets and cultural centers, as well as in broader fashion and export markets that value traditional craftsmanship. The textile and clothing sector’s strong export base further supports these opportunities by connecting locally produced goods to international buyers and global supply chains, contributing to economic opportunity in Morocco across both local and global markets.

Looking Ahead

Rather than creating entirely new industries, this approach focuses on strengthening what already exists, making job creation more immediate and reinforcing economic opportunity in Morocco. With youth unemployment remaining a challenge, programs that connect training directly to employment opportunities can help address the economic conditions that contribute to poverty. By equipping individuals with both technical and entrepreneurial skills, Morocco’s textile initiatives expand access to income and create more stable economic pathways.

– Kale Overton

Kale is based in Ames, IA, USA and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Poverty in Papua New Guinea

Digital Poverty in Papua New GuineaDigital poverty in Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlights a stark reality in the Pacific, where a challenging geography of remote islands and vast landmasses amplifies connectivity gaps. In this region, many communities remain cut off from the online world, limiting education, economic opportunities and essential services. PNG, due to its diverse terrain and growing population, exemplifies these struggles.

Despite technological advances, the country grapples with low internet adoption, underscoring how geography and economics perpetuate exclusion. Addressing digital poverty in PNG demands urgent, tailored strategies to unlock its potential.

Who Has Internet and Who Doesn’t?

Internet access first reached PNG in 1997. Yet after three decades, the nation trails far behind other Asia-Pacific neighbors in connectivity. At first, rates align closely with smartphone access and about 60% of adults report having used the internet at least once. Still, only 36% of people have a mobile connection. In comparison, true internet penetration is limited to 32%, equating to 3.3 million users.

PNG’s immense land area, mountainous terrain, limited road network and consequent high service costs create formidable obstacles. Rural regions, where 86% of the population resides, suffer the most, often lacking both power grids and networks. On the other hand, according to a 2020 World Bank analysis, cities like Port Moresby and Lae host just a fraction of the population, even though they account for 70% of all internet users.

Smartphone access tells a similar story: 62% of adults can use one, whether their own or shared. But disparities run deep across groups. Rural dwellers, seniors and lower-income households lag well behind national averages in device ownership. Internet habits mirror this, with added gender differences: only 32% of women aged 45–74 and 48% of rural women have gone online, compared with 50% of men in that age group and 54% of rural men.

The Government’s Path to Digitalization

In recent years, PNG’s government has pursued ambitious reforms to expand internet access. Key initiatives form a forward-looking regulatory backbone:

  • The Digital Transformation Policy 2020 outlines a roadmap for embedding tech into public services, boosting efficiency, reach and openness.
  • The Digital Government Act 2022 establishes rules for secure digital operations, prioritizing data privacy, system interoperability and cross-agency collaboration.
  • The National Cybersecurity Policy protects online infrastructure, equipping businesses and officials to counter threats and build user confidence.
  • The Digital ID Framework rolls out a reliable identity platform to streamline services, cut scams and ease transactions.
  • The Digital Transformation Summit 2025, a four-day event focused on Sevis, a government-led platform conceived to facilitate the use of public services.

Despite these steps, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape remains constrained. State-owned enterprises dominate the market with little rivalry, controlling everything from infrastructure to delivery. This environment scares off private players and stalls innovations in speed and affordability. 

The World Bank highlights how this monopoly enables tactics that block competitors, creating a “vertical squeeze.” Such dominance jeopardizes PNG’s target of connecting 70% of its citizens to electricity by 2030, which could increase internet access, as outlined in the PNG Development Strategic Plan 2010–2030. Without broader competition, digital poverty in Papua New Guinea persists, undermining national goals.

Public-Private Partnerships and Open-Source Innovations

Tackling these issues requires collaborative, cost-effective approaches. A Lowy Institute analysis suggests public-private partnerships (PPPs) in telecommunications, backed by robust competition rules and pricing oversight, could be a solution. These alliances could dismantle monopolies, drive down costs and extend coverage to remote areas, much like successful models in neighboring nations, such as Vanuatu.

PPPs are not the only tool, though. Open-source software (OSS) offers powerful and inclusive means. By providing free access to essential software, OSS democratizes digital tools across education, commerce and administration.

Mainstream OSS options include the Firefox browser for secure web surfing, Linux for flexible operating systems and LibreOffice for productivity. This software is openly licensed, allowing users to download, modify and deploy it without fees. In contrast, proprietary rivals like Microsoft Office charge subscription fees that can consume nearly 100 hours of minimum-wage earnings annually.

In PNG’s context, when backed by the development of a solid digital infrastructure, OSS can slash barriers for schools in highland villages and entrepreneurs in coastal regions, fostering self-reliance. Success depends on political will, training programs and affordable devices. By prioritizing equity, PNG can transform digital poverty into digital prosperity, fueling sustainable growth. 

The PNG government is making great efforts to address these issues and bring the country closer to regional standards. However, this work will require greater flexibility and collaboration with third parties.

– Riccardo Chiaraluce

Riccardo is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Resilience in Haiti with FADEKA

fadeka haitiIt has been almost five years since a catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti, leaving behind a tremendous amount of damage. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed 2,247 people, injured more than 12,700, and destroyed more than 53,000 homes. 1,060 schools were damaged, compromising the education of thousands of children. This event helped start an initiative to enhance the economic status and community standing of women and their resilience in Haiti.

After this event, an initiative to enhance the economic status and community standing of women was formed for women as a resilience in Haiti.

FADEKA Project

The original initiative, Fanm nan Agrikilti se Devlopman Ekonomi Ayiti (FADEKA), meaning Economic Empowerment of Women in the South Department of Haiti, was active from 2018 to 2021. U.N. Women developed the project in partnership with the Government of Norway, releasing a final report in December 2022. Despite the success of the project, Haitian agriculture and women are still struggling with ongoing insecurity and poor infrastructure, and need another FADEKA Project.

For supporters of this topic to want to push for a second initiative, they need to hear about the success of the first one. An independent firm dissected the FADEKA Project in Haiti and the resiliencies made throughout the program, expressing the positives of the project, and providing a guide for a second one.

Success of FADEKA

During the FADEKA Project in Haiti, focus was solely on improving the livelihoods of female farmers through agriculture, fishing, and small-scale processing through catalytic investments and capacity-building for female producer organizations, according to the December 2022 report.

The female agricultural workforce makes up 44.2%, with only a third of Haitian farms managed by women. Agriculture is the primary source of employment in Haiti, with 40% of households involved in activities and around 75% of rural households engaged in a form of agriculture, such as fishing or beekeeping.

Training farmers on extreme weather patterns was also a part of the FADEKA project. A total of 8.7% beneficiaries surveyed said that they had taken training on weather challenges and 7.3% on nursery management within the context of the project. According to the discussion group participants, this training built their technical capacity on weather patterns and resilience.

Improving the Atmosphere Between Men and Women

The report found that 100% of women, when asked about their participation in household expenditure, contributed to it. Along with 65.3% said that household management income is managed equally between men and women, according to the December 2022 report. Overall, women’s voices in their households were strengthened, they had higher participation, more leadership in decision making, and strengthened farmers’ and agricultural entrepreneurs’ preparedness for shocks of weather patterns.

Out of 34 planned activities, the program implemented 26 (76%). The failure of the eight projects could be due to the instability of Haiti’s government. If a second project goes through, the evaluation gave ideas on how to make it more successful.

According to the evaluation report, if a second phase gets the approval, “the focus should be on consolidating the project’s achievements and on capacity-building for local authorities and the beneficiary communities.”

The need for that second project has grown more and more over the past years, with the rise of gang violence, displacement, food insecurity, and the collapse of livelihoods.

Need for a Second Project

Ever since the end of the first project, Haiti has fallen into critical conditions with mass displacement of people, widespread, acute food insecurity and the domination of gang control of Port-au-Prince. Numerous cases of kidnappings, murders, rapes, gang confrontations and other acts of violence against individuals have contributed to a sense of general insecurity in the country.

In order to improve the socio-economic situation and government of Haiti, there are many different approaches, including strengthening local governance to restore resilience and fostering economic independence through agricultural investment.

The Future

With a successful first project, the U.N. Women, along with leaders in Norway, can make the second project more effective.

The FADEKA Project in Haiti is highly relevant but requires an additional period to strengthen its exit strategy. Many beneficiaries found themselves left to their own devices. This argues in favour of a second phase of the project, which could be consolidating the project’s achievements and capacity-building for local authorities and beneficiary communities. These efforts would help many people, and not go in vain.

– Elizabeth Fryer

Elizabeth is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solutions to Youth Unemployment in Greece

Youth Unemployment in GreeceEnsuring that the next generation can transition into the workforce is essential to a functioning society. Unfortunately, a troubling trend has emerged in some developed European countries, where young people are being left behind. This is especially evident in Greece.

The southern European nation has long faced this challenge amid a broader economic crisis. Although the government of Greece is considering measures to address youth unemployment, the country has already seen significant improvements in employment.

Youth Unemployment in Greece

“For over a decade, Greece has held one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the European Union.” In 2009, after nearly a decade of adopting the Euro as its national currency, Greece was hit hard by the global financial crisis. As a result, the government became unable to pay off its debts. 

That exacerbated long-running problems within the Greek economy and job market, leading to the highest rate of youth unemployment in Europe. Factors contributing to this high rate include a disconnect between the private sector’s actual needs and the education system. Greece produces a significant number of university graduates in the fields of humanities and social sciences, “while the market screams for specialized technical roles and digital expertise.” 

This imbalance in the labor market leaves highly educated young people without the technical expertise needed to meet the demands of the private sector. This leaves them overqualified for jobs in tourism and retail but underqualified for upper management positions. Limited vocational training can restrict young people’s access to sectors such as construction and engineering, while low levels of youth entrepreneurship contribute to fewer start-ups.

Regarding tourism, Greece is a popular vacation destination, with a large tourism industry that generates significant revenue. However, the tourism industry can be seen as a double-edged sword. Most work in tourism is seasonal, which presents a problem for long-term financial planning and career progression. 

Many young workers are caught in a cycle of short-term, six-month contracts. This limits their ability to plan for the future, including securing a mortgage or starting a family. Seasonal work also rarely provides the professional development needed to move into stable, high-paying corporate roles.

Improvements and Potential Solutions

As the problem has persisted, the Greek government and other parties have remained divided over the issue and have tried to implement policies to address the needs of Greece’s youth who have been left behind. Just this year, Greece introduced reforms to its tax code that lowered the overall tax rate by two percentage points. The reform also offers additional tax breaks to younger workers and families, with rates as low as 9% for families with three children and zero income tax for those with four or more children.

Reforms like this can provide some extra brevity for those looking to enter the job market, as well as making it more manageable for those who want to start a family in the future. Other taxes that are reduced include the property tax for villages with fewer than 1,500 residents and an overhaul of provisions for short-term renting. Another proposal, detailed by the European Student Think Tank, calls for “Setting up regional offices for counseling and networking, especially in rural regions with high youth unemployment, as part of an effort to enhance entrepreneurship skills, knowledge of the Greek market and social skills of youth.” 

From the proposals already passed, it is evident that there has been a substantial improvement in youth employment. According to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, “Greece used to be at the bottom in Europe in unemployment of young people with 39.5% in 2019, but that rate has dropped to 13%.” That is a substantial improvement, yet there is still much work left to be done.

Final Remarks

Recent reforms to the tax code, property laws and economic policies have greatly improved the prospects of young Greeks. They now have the opportunity to begin a new chapter in their lives as professionals, rather than remain stagnant in a tourist economy that kept them from advancing. 

– Alexander K. Petrov

Alexander is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr