Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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How Motorbikes Are Helping Fight Poverty in Kenya

fight Poverty in KenyaKenya is a nation of significant economic diversity, yet a large share of its population continues to live in poverty. More than 45% of Kenyans survive on $3 a day. According to the BBC, more than 26 million Kenyans were facing “extreme levels of hunger” in 2026. 

As a result, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) states that 29% of children living in Kenya’s rural areas are stunted due to severe malnutrition. The country also faces a growing housing crisis, with an estimated 46,639 people in Kenya living without a stable shelter. However, a solution to Kenya’s poverty has emerged from an unlikely yet remarkable sector: the motor industry. 

Motorbikes are helping to fight poverty in Kenya by creating new economic opportunities across the country. Data from World Population Review shows that Kenya has more than one million motorbikes, surpassing other major nations such as Canada, with around 736,200 and South Africa, with 346,600.

Alleviating Youth Unemployment

Motorbikes play a critical role in alleviating youth unemployment. Kenya’s overall unemployment rate stands at approximately 12.7%, with young people accounting for 67% of that figure. From the age of 15, many young Kenyans struggle to secure stable forms of employment. For many young people, motorbikes are more than just transport; they allow riders to work independently and set their own hours, offering greater economic autonomy.

On average, young motorbike operators can earn at least $8.87 per day, providing a vital livelihood and reducing reliance on scarce formal employment opportunities. 

Supporting Small Businesses

Motorbikes also play a crucial role in supporting small businesses struggling to compete with larger companies. In Kenya, more than 7.4 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operate, contributing to 40% of the country’s total GDP. Despite their importance, many of these businesses face significant challenges, including limited mobility and difficulty reaching customers. 

Motorbikes address these barriers by providing an affordable and reliable means of transport. Their efficiency has earned the trust of small business owners. Thus, by reducing logistical constraints, motorbikes enable local entrepreneurs to increase productivity and compete more effectively within Kenya’s growing economy. 

The Boda Girls Initiative

Motorbikes not only support individual livelihoods but also strengthen key public sectors. Within the humanitarian sector, the motorbike industry has created new opportunities to improve access to health care. In 2022, a group of women known as the Boda Girls emerged, using motorbikes to reach remote communities and support maternal care. Their work focuses on transporting expectant mothers to medical facilities for essential checkups and scans at no extra cost.

This intervention is particularly important given the scale of preventable infant deaths in Kenya. Poor living conditions and limited access to health care contribute to high child and maternal mortality rates. According to UNICEF, approximately 64,500 children in Kenya die each year before the age of 5 from preventable causes such as pneumonia and diarrhea.

In addition to providing medical support for pregnant mothers, protection for younger girls traveling to and from school is being strengthened through the use of boda boda motorbikes. Young girls often encounter predatory behavior and instances of assault during long journeys to school. The Boda Girls initiative addresses this problem by providing free transport for schoolgirls and ensuring a safe environment.

By supporting schoolgirls with safe transportation, the likelihood of them staying in education increases, improving their academic outcomes and long-term opportunities. This increased school attendance further equips girls with the skills and knowledge needed to improve their future earning potential, enabling them to break free from cycles of poverty.

Conclusion

The operation of these motorbikes in Kenya represents more than a simple means of transportation. They serve as a significant tool in the fight against poverty in Kenya, contributing both economically and socially to the communities they serve. By facilitating education, improving safety and supporting livelihoods, these motorbikes enhance individual potential and help reduce broader challenges associated with poverty.

– Sophia Lupo 

Sophia is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Babychecker Transforms Maternal Health Care in Honduras

Maternal Health Care in HondurasIn the heart of Central America’s Northern Triangle, Honduras faces a complex web of challenges. Widespread poverty, recurring hurricanes and deep social inequalities shape the daily lives of its more than 10 million inhabitants. These structural pressures are straining the country’s health care system, especially in maternal health care, where mortality rates remain high. In response, BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras by expanding access to essential prenatal diagnostics in underserved areas.

The State of Maternal Health Care in Honduras

Although Honduras has reduced maternal mortality over the past two decades, significant disparities persist, especially in rural and underserved regions. The country lowered its maternal mortality ratio from 199 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 47 in 2023. However, unequal access to care still puts many women at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified these vulnerabilities. Health system disruptions limited access to prenatal and reproductive services. This caused maternal mortality rates to surge from 61 to 125 deaths per 100,000 live births in the aftermath. This situation reflects a broader global pattern. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 800 women die every day from preventable pregnancy-related causes, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low-resource settings. In Honduras, limited access to essential diagnostic tools continues to hinder progress. 

Health care providers struggle to use traditional ultrasound machines in remote areas because these devices are expensive, require stable electricity and specialized training. As a result, many women complete their pregnancies without adequate monitoring, which increases the risk of complications.

Why Are Ultrasounds Crucial To Preventing Prenatal Death?

Ultrasound plays a critical role in reducing prenatal and neonatal mortality by enabling the early detection of life-threatening complications. Globally, neonatal deaths account for nearly half of all deaths among children under 5, with preterm birth complications, infections and intrapartum-related conditions among the leading causes. Many of these risks originate during pregnancy and can be identified early through proper monitoring.

Health care providers use ultrasound to detect a wide range of complications that can endanger both mother and child. For example, ultrasound can identify ectopic pregnancies (when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus), allowing doctors to intervene before rupture and internal bleeding occur. It also helps assess fetal heart activity and development, enabling the early detection of miscarriage risks. 

In addition, clinicians rely on ultrasound to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and detect structural defects like congenital heart conditions or spina bifida. They also use it to monitor fetal growth and prevent complications linked to growth restriction. Ultrasounds also allow providers to diagnose placental issues, such as placenta previa or placental abruption, which can pose severe risks during delivery. 

By identifying these conditions early, health care workers can plan safer deliveries and refer patients to appropriate care on time. Evidence highlights the impact of this technology: one study found that the introduction of ultrasound reduced fetal mortality by nearly 20% overall and by more than 50% in post-term pregnancies. These findings underscore the importance of ultrasound access in improving pregnancy outcomes, particularly in settings where other forms of monitoring remain limited.

Babychecker: A Digital Solution to the Rescue

To address these gaps, the Honduran Ministry of Health partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Delft Imaging to launch the BabyChecker pilot project. BabyChecker uses a smartphone-based, AI-powered ultrasound system to expand access to prenatal care. The device allows health care workers with minimal training to perform scans and assess pregnancy risks.

By guiding users through six simple sweeps across the abdomen, the tool provides key clinical information, including gestational age, fetal position, heart rate and early signs of complications. This approach transforms how providers deliver care. Instead of requiring patients to travel to distant hospitals, BabyChecker enables frontline health care workers to conduct diagnostics directly within their communities.

By decentralizing access to diagnostics, BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras. 

Transforming Care in Underserved Communities

In October 2024, health care teams deployed BabyChecker devices across hospitals and rural clinics in regions including Intibucá, Choluteca and La Paz. These areas include Indigenous communities such as the Lenca, Garífuna and Miskito. During the pilot phase, around 400 pregnant women received care through the program.

Local health assistants and community volunteers quickly learned how to use the device, even in settings without reliable internet or electricity. They used BabyChecker to estimate gestational age, detect multiple pregnancies and identify warning signs, allowing them to refer high-risk cases to advanced care in time.

The initiative also improved trust in health care services. In many Indigenous communities, women prefer to consult trusted local figures rather than unfamiliar medical professionals. By equipping community members with this technology, the program increased acceptance of prenatal care. It strengthened engagement, further demonstrating BabyChecker’s transformation of maternal health care in Honduras.

A Step Toward Reducing Maternal Mortality

BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras by enabling earlier detection of complications and accelerating referrals to appropriate care. The technology allows health care workers to act quickly and reduce preventable risks for both mothers and infants. More broadly, the initiative shows how targeted, low-cost innovation can help close persistent gaps in health care access, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

As Honduras continues to face structural challenges such as poverty, inequality and environmental vulnerability, solutions like BabyChecker are increasingly vital. By combining accessible technology with community-based care and international partnerships, health care systems can better protect vulnerable populations and improve pregnancy outcomes.

This model is already expanding beyond Honduras. BabyChecker is currently in use in countries such as Sierra Leone and Ghana, where it similarly supports frontline health care workers and improves access to prenatal diagnostics. Its growing adoption highlights its potential as a scalable global solution to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen health care systems in low-resource settings.

– Inès Maudire

Inès is based in Paris, France and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Community Grains Banks Reduce Hunger in Rural Nepal

Hunger in Rural NepalIn rural Nepal, where geographic isolation, limited infrastructure and seasonal agricultural cycles restrict access to food, community grain banks have emerged as a practical way to reduce hunger and strengthen food security.

Food Insecurity in Rural Nepal

In rural regions of Nepal, food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many families. Geographic isolation, limited infrastructure and seasonal farming cycles often leave communities without reliable year-round access to food. During the months between harvests, many households face shortages that can lead to malnutrition, debt and deepened poverty.

According to the journal “Food Insecurity, Food Grain Imports and Agricultural Exports in Nepal: A Data Analysis Comparison (1990–2023),” “Food insecurity persists as a pressing issue, particularly in rural areas where undernutrition and food shortages remain prevalent.”

The Impact of Post-Harvest Loss

One major factor contributing to food insecurity in Nepal is post-harvest loss. Limited access to proper storage facilities and technologies leaves stored grain vulnerable to pests, moisture and spoilage. As a result, a substantial portion of harvested crops is lost before they can be consumed or sold.

According to research, “Farmers in Nepal lose up to one-third of stored grain to pests and diseases.” This significantly reduces both household food availability and income.

A Community-Based Solution

To address these challenges, some communities have turned to an innovative and locally driven solution: community grain banks. Grain banks are cooperative systems in which villagers collectively store surplus crops such as rice, wheat or maize after harvest. Each household contributes a portion of its yield to a shared reserve.

When food becomes scarce, families can borrow from the bank and repay the grain after the next harvest, often with a small additional amount to sustain the system. This approach provides a critical safety net. By ensuring access to food during difficult periods, community grain banks in rural Nepal help prevent hunger and reduce the need for high-interest loans, which many families would otherwise rely on to purchase food. In doing so, they play a direct role in breaking cycles of poverty.

In one rural community in Nepal, a grain bank was established to support families vulnerable to seasonal flooding and food shortages. Households contribute grain during harvest and those in need can borrow supplies during emergencies, repaying slightly more after the next harvest. The system follows a structured policy: “If people take 40 kilograms of paddy from the bank, they must return a total of 50 kilograms once they harvest their farm.” 

Community leaders emphasize the program’s impact, with Urmila Rishidev, president of Shanti Nari DMT, stating, “The grain bank has been a boon for our community because our children do not have to starve when a flood comes.”

Improving Storage and Long-Term Resilience

In remote areas where access to markets is limited, the role of community grain banks in reducing hunger in rural Nepal is further demonstrated through their ability to stabilize local food systems. Instead of depending on fluctuating food prices or distant supply chains, communities can rely on their own reserves. This increases resilience and allows families to better manage economic uncertainty.

Additionally, improving storage practices is essential to maximizing the impact of these systems. Research highlights that improved technologies can significantly reduce losses and strengthen food security. According to findings, hermetic storage methods are viable, chemical-free alternatives to traditional methods and pesticides used by smallholder farmers for grain storage.

They effectively control pests of stored products, maintain seed quality, improve food security and increase the income of smallholder farmers. This demonstrates how better storage solutions can directly support both food availability and household income.

Conclusion

Community grain banks represent a practical and community-driven approach to addressing food insecurity in rural Nepal. By reducing post-harvest losses, improving access to food during seasonal shortages and strengthening local cooperation, these systems help mitigate key drivers of poverty. While challenges remain, continued support for grain banks and improved storage solutions can help build more resilient, food-secure communities.

– Grelby Santos

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

Photo: Flickr

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How Gamified Learning Is Expanding Access to Education in Kenya

Education in KenyaKenya continues to face significant challenges in ensuring quality education, particularly in low-income and rural communities. Despite high enrollment rates, learning outcomes remain uneven, with many students struggling to meet basic literacy and numeracy standards. Limited resources, teacher shortages and regional inequalities make quality education difficult for many children, highlighting the need for innovative, accessible learning solutions.

What Is Gamified Learning and Why It Matters

Gamified learning refers to the use of game elements, such as quizzes, rewards and progress tracking, to make learning more engaging and interactive. Instead of relying solely on traditional teaching methods, it introduces systems that allow learners to “level up,” monitor their progress and improve through practice rather than being penalized for mistakes.

This model also supports more flexible learning, enabling individuals to follow different paths and build skills at their own pace. By creating a more supportive and motivating environment, gamified learning encourages consistent participation. It helps learners stay engaged over time, especially in contexts where maintaining motivation is a challenge.

Expanding Access Through Digital and Gamified Learning in Kenya

Digital learning platforms are helping address long-standing education challenges in Kenya, particularly in areas where resources and classroom support remain limited. Research shows that gamification within e-learning platforms can improve motivation, engagement and overall learning outcomes, making it a valuable tool in education systems facing persistent learning gaps.

In Kenya, platforms such as Eneza Education use mobile-based learning to reach students who may lack access to traditional educational resources. Through SMS-based lessons, quizzes and interactive features, students can practice regularly and receive feedback, even with basic mobile phones. This approach is especially valuable in rural areas, where internet access and infrastructure are often limited.

At the same time, increasing mobile access is making these solutions more widely available. Smartphone penetration in Kenya has reached around 83.5%, enabling more students to access digital learning tools and educational content through their devices.

Beyond Eneza, the broader rise of education technology in Kenya is making learning more flexible and accessible. Digital tools allow students to learn at their own pace, revisit difficult topics and stay engaged through interactive content. By combining accessibility with engagement, gamified digital learning is helping reduce educational gaps and reach students who might otherwise be left behind.

From Learning to Economic Opportunity

Education is often the starting point for preventing long-term challenges, especially poverty. When people have access to quality learning, they are more likely to develop the skills needed to secure stable jobs, build businesses and improve their living conditions. In Kenya, this link between education and economic growth is already becoming clear.

According to the World Bank, the country has made significant progress through education reforms, reaching more than 16 million students across nearly 90,000 schools. These improvements have helped position Kenya among the top education performers in Eastern and Southern Africa. At the same time, the country’s economy is expected to grow by around 5% annually, highlighting the role of education in broader economic development.

Learning outcomes have also improved over time. For example, performance in subjects such as mathematics and languages has improved, while secondary school enrollment rose by more than 50% in the years before the pandemic. These developments matter because stronger learning outcomes are directly linked to better job opportunities and higher income potential.

Similarly, research shows that innovative approaches such as gamified learning can further strengthen this impact. Gamification is not just about engagement; it also helps build practical skills such as problem-solving, decision-making and digital literacy. In development contexts, these skills are essential for employment and entrepreneurship. 

Studies have shown that gamified learning environments can improve motivation, participation and knowledge retention, making education more effective overall.

Conclusion

As digital access continues to expand in Kenya, learning is no longer limited to traditional classrooms. Gamified learning, combined with mobile-based education, is creating more flexible and accessible ways for students to build skills and stay engaged. This is especially important in contexts where consistent access to quality education remains a challenge.

Together, these developments point to a clear pathway: education builds skills, skills create opportunities and opportunities help reduce poverty. By improving both access to education and the way people learn, Kenya is not only strengthening its education system but also creating new pathways for economic participation and long-term development.

– Elif Oktar

Elif is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Development of Health Care in Solomon Islands

Health Care in Solomon IslandsThe Solomon Islands is a remote archipelago with a large population of more than 800,000 people. The vast majority of people in the Solomon Islands live in rural areas, which could make access to health care more difficult. As a result, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country faces a rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which is the leading cause of death, accounting for 68.2% of deaths. Communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions account for 23.6%.

Geographic isolation, natural disasters and systemic gaps such as shortages of medical equipment and staff create major barriers in accessing health care in rural areas. Improving health care in the Solomon Islands is critical for public health and for addressing the broader systemic issues, supporting economic stability and growth.

Konide Area Health Centre

In 2018, the old Konide clinic collapsed due to decades of deterioration and was forced to close. Consequently, rural communities had to rely on small health clinics such as the Susubona Rural Health Clinic, which was far too small to handle the sudden surge in patients. Residents had to travel long distances to Buala Hospital, causing delays in treatment and referrals. These delays often lead to worse health outcomes, causing patients to miss work or school and lose income, increasing the risk of poverty.

In November 2025, the new Konide Area Health Centre opened following an investment of SBD 20.8 million. The opening marked a major expansion of health care in Solomon Islands, as communities now have better access to services such as general clinical services and trauma care, maternal and reproductive health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, community-based health services, and additional support services.

Residents in Konide and nearby communities can now access care closer to home and receive more timely treatment.

The World Bank’s ECHO project

Efforts to improve health care in Solomon Islands also include support from the World Bank through the Engaging Communities to Improve Health Outcomes (ECHO) project. Managed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the initiative aims to strengthen essential health systems and improve access to primary health care services across the country.

The ECHO project consists of three components aimed at improving primary health care, which are Strengthening Primary Health Care Services, National Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Project management, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.

The first component focuses on access to primary health care services with a Community Health Worker (CHW) program, along with climate-resistant infrastructure improvements to Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and the expansion of digital tools for efficient monitoring and reporting. To ensure a steady supply of essential medicines, the second component aims to upgrade the national supply chain through staff training, system improvements, and the construction of a pharmaceutical warehouse in Noro. Lastly, the third component establishes an MHMS-based Project Management Unit (PMU) modelled after COVID-19 response structures. The PMU is responsible for operational oversight, data-driven monitoring, and community engagement. By providing technical support and coordination, it ensures the ECHO project aligns with national health strategies.

Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan

Australia and the Solomon Islands share a partnership, with Australia serving as the Solomon Islands’ largest development partner. The Australia – Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 (DPP) coordinates Australian contributions to support Solomon Islands’ domestic development initiatives and strengthen health care in Solomon Islands. It establishes clear objectives, implementation methods, and monitoring protocols to track progress and ensures Australia’s efforts align with other international development actors to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact.

In addition, the DPP also has a primary goal of fostering “A stable and prosperous Solomon Islands” with three objectives. One of their objectives is to invest in people and communities to improve health and education. While another focuses more on improved stability and economic growth as well as infrastructure. This commitment is reflected in Australia’s investment in health care by providing SBD 32.9 million for health services, SBD 9.1 million for crucial medical supplies, completing a scabies mass drug administration program for up to SBD 14.8 million, and fostering four new biomolecular laboratories in Choiseul, Temotu, and Western and Guadalcanal Provinces.

Part of the DPP, in March 2025, the MHMS and the Australian high commissioner launched a health partnership called the “Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership” investing approximately SBD 150 million until 2028 to promote high-quality health care and access.

The partnership focuses on promoting Provincial Grants including SBD 75 million to provincial health services, National Health Priorities Fund, the Health facility Fund and the Women in Health Leadership Awards, a new initiative to promote gender equity, and to empower women within the health care sector. With provincial funding, communities in rural areas are driven towards increased health care access and leadership that empowers a stronger health system, which all play a role in reducing poverty and other systemic issues. Together, these four key areas are designed to strengthen high-quality health care, enhance services and economic growth.

The Future

In a country with more than 900 islands, the progress of the health system is crucial in addressing health care accessibility and larger systemic issues, such as global poverty. New infrastructure developments such as the Konide Area Health Centre, initiatives from the World Bank, namely the ECHO project, and partnerships from Australia, are creating lasting progress for health care in Solomon Islands. Continued investment and partnerships will strengthen public health, increase economic growth, and advance productivity, which will help the Solomon Islands move closer towards a more sustainable future.

– Bianca P. Gunawan

Bianca is based in Jakarta, Indonesia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Rohingya Education Is Critical to Children’s Mental Health

Rohingya EducationThe Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State who have faced decades of discrimination, statelessness and restricted access to basic rights, including education. In August 2017, widespread violence forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, creating one of the largest refugee crises in the world. Today, more than one million Rohingya refugees live in camps in Cox’s Bazar, many of them children who have experienced displacement, trauma and prolonged uncertainty.

Education Restrictions in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, access to education for Rohingya children is shaped by government policy, influenced by the expectation that refugees will eventually return to Myanmar. To prevent long-term integration, authorities have restricted formal schooling, prohibited accredited curricula and limited language instruction. As a result, most children are confined to informal learning centers that do not lead to recognized qualifications, and access to secondary education remains extremely limited.

In addition to limited access to education, Rohingya children face strict movement restrictions and are confined to overcrowded refugee camps, with few opportunities to integrate into broader society. They cannot enroll in formal Bangladeshi schools or access the national curriculum, which further limits their future opportunities. Without access to recognized education or employment pathways, many children grow up with increasing uncertainty about their future, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability and exclusion.

Funding Cuts and Growing Risks

As of 2025 and early 2026, the situation has worsened due to major funding cuts. Thousands of learning centers have closed, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education and raising concerns about a “lost generation.” Reduced access to schooling has also led to increases in child labour and early marriage. Although the Bangladesh government has begun funding Rohingya education with support from the World Bank, access remains limited—especially for adolescents—and pathways to accredited or higher education are still largely unavailable.

Restoring Hope Through Learning Programs

At a UNICEF-supported multi-purpose centre in Kutupalong, 13-year-old Nur is learning solar panel repair after years of displacement. He had always dreamed of becoming a teacher, but limited access to education left him feeling uncertain and without direction. Like many Rohingya children, he experienced a sense of hopelessness as opportunities to learn remained out of reach. Through structured learning and skills-based training, these programs are helping children like Nur regain confidence and begin to imagine a different future.

Children make up a large share of the Rohingya population, many of whom face risks such as child labor, domestic violence and early marriage. These experiences can contribute to anxiety, stress and emotional distress. When access to education declines, the consequences extend beyond learning, increasing vulnerability and weakening protection systems within the camps.

UNICEF Programs and Community Impact

UNICEF-supported learning centers provide structured environments where children can learn, interact with peers and access psychosocial support. These spaces create routine and safety, both essential for emotional stability. Multi-purpose centers further expand opportunities by combining learning with skills-based training, helping children regain a sense of purpose.

Building on these efforts, child-friendly spaces and trained facilitators play a key role in supporting children’s mental health. These programs provide safe environments for play, creativity and emotional expression, while educators trained in psychosocial support help identify distress and foster inclusive, supportive spaces.

Expanding Access and Future Opportunities

Addressing these challenges requires sustained policy and funding commitments. As the host country, Bangladesh plays a central role in expanding access to meaningful and continuous education. Increasing opportunities for secondary learning, certification pathways and teacher support could significantly improve outcomes. Continued collaboration with international organizations and donors may help stabilize services and expand opportunities for children who have already lost years of schooling.

Education programs in the camps demonstrate how learning can support protection, recovery and long-term resilience. For Rohingya children like Nur, access to safe and structured environments is helping restore hope and bring the possibility of achieving their dreams—such as becoming a teacher—within reach.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

Isil is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Reduction and Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

Women Entrepreneurs in NigeriaWomen entrepreneurs in Nigeria are redefining women’s roles in society and the greatest beneficiary of their inclusion in the entrepreneurship space is the economy. Women in entrepreneurship of Nigeria have played an increasingly significant role in reducing poverty. This shift comes after being previously excluded from formal employment and financial opportunities due to traditional systems that limited women’s participation in business.

Female-led companies have created jobs, driven local economic growth and expanded access to essential goods and services across sectors. Here are some ways women entrepreneurs continue to strengthen the economy of Nigeria while advancing broader efforts to reduce poverty.

Improving Access To Essential Health Services

Olamide Orekunrin was on one of her frequent visits to her home city, Lagos, when her sister became critically ill. With no equipment or drugs to revive her and no reliable way to get her to a hospital, the situation quickly turned critical. What would have been easily accessible lifesaving care in many places instead exposed a gap in Lagos’ health system that led to her sister’s untimely death.

This motivated Orekunrin to start Flying Doctors, a medical emergency service specializing in air ambulances. The organization introduced the first air ambulance service in Nigeria and West Africa. Flying Doctors has successfully evacuated victims of road accidents, bomb blasts, fire outbreaks and other mishaps across Africa. 

Female-led businesses like Flying Doctors combine passion with humanitarianism and have helped ensure that all Nigerians have access to essential emergency medical services.

Supporting Community Development

When it comes to entrepreneurship, women-led businesses reinvest up to 90% of income back into their families and communities, compared to 30–40% for men. Female entrepreneurs in Nigeria have launched initiatives such as skills-training programs, education services and other community-focused enterprises. Tutoring and educational initiatives help keep children in school longer.

Each additional year of schooling for girls can increase future earnings by up to 20%. Child care centers enable mothers to remain in the workforce and accelerate their career paths while balancing motherhood. Skills and training programs do the same. These services, which allow more women to join the workforce and children to stay in school longer, are tackling both child poverty and female poverty.

Job Creations

With women accounting for 43% of micro-enterprise ownership and about 40% of early-stage entrepreneurial activity, their businesses are a major source of employment and income in communities where poverty is widespread. Women-owned businesses employ several low-income women and youth. These businesses provide essential services like tailoring and clothing, transportation and logistics, food retail and hospitality and digital services and e-commerce.

These businesses not only expand access to affordable everyday services in underserved communities, but also create jobs for the people in those communities. In doing so, they are reducing reliance on Nigeria’s limited formal job market. By generating income and supporting more sustainable livelihoods, women-led enterprises are helping households and communities lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

Final Remarks

Ultimately, women-owned businesses often serve female customers and underserved communities, especially in informal sectors and rural areas. Through business networks and support systems, women are also better able to overcome barriers to finance, market access and formal business opportunities. In many cases, women-led enterprises create jobs and income opportunities for other women and young people in their communities in Nigeria.

This ripple effect strengthens local economies while expanding opportunities for groups historically excluded from formal work. Across Nigeria, female entrepreneurs are expanding access to financial services, health care, education, food and employment. From agriculture to digital finance, women-led enterprises are filling critical service gaps in underserved communities and driving more inclusive economic growth.

– Yemi Mary John

Yemi is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Grassroots Groups Driving Women’s Empowerment in Haiti

Women's Empowerment in HaitiGrassroots groups driving women’s empowerment in Haiti are addressing the deep intersection of poverty and gender inequality in one of the most economically challenged countries in the Western Hemisphere. More than 60% of Haiti’s population lives below the poverty line, with more than 25% in extreme poverty. Despite these conditions, women remain active in the workforce, with a labor force participation rate of 58.3% compared to 69.7% for men. 

However, economic participation has not translated into equality. Haiti ranked 163rd out of 170 countries on the Gender Inequality Index and its Gender Development Index score of 0.898 falls well below the regional average of 0.963. These figures highlight that women contribute significantly to the economy but still lack access to resources, financial security and decision-making power.

Barriers Facing Women in Rural Economies

Women in Haiti face persistent structural barriers that limit their economic advancement. In rural areas, where agriculture supports nearly half of the workforce, women play a central role in farming and household management but often lack access to land, credit and formal markets. Environmental challenges such as drought, soil degradation and limited infrastructure further reduce productivity and income stability. 

Cultural norms also restrict women’s participation in leadership and higher-paying sectors. For example, in the fishing industry, women are often confined to processing and selling fish while relying on fishermen for supply, which limits their bargaining power. These overlapping challenges reinforce cycles of poverty and economic dependence.

Grassroots Solutions Creating Economic Opportunity

Grassroots groups in Haiti are responding to these challenges through community-led, cooperative-based solutions. One example is the Women’s Initiative from The Haiti Project, which supports women in the rural village of Chermaitre. The initiative began when women came together to share their experiences of hardship and resilience, eventually forming the Chermaitre’s Women cooperative.

This program focuses on developing business skills, strengthening collaboration and creating sustainable income opportunities. By centering local leadership, the initiative ensures that women actively shape their economic futures and build solutions tailored to their community’s needs.

Women’s Empowerment in Haiti

The cooperative model combines economic opportunity with long-term social empowerment. Women in the Chermaitre’s Women cooperative produce goods such as coffee, peanut butter and handmade crafts, including textiles and jewelry, which they sell in local and international markets. By pooling resources and sharing profits, the cooperative reduces financial risk and increases collective bargaining power. 

Women use their earnings to pay school fees, invest in agriculture and improve household stability, particularly during periods of environmental stress. Participation also builds financial literacy, confidence and leadership skills. This creates a clear chain of impact: income leads to independence, independence strengthens decision-making power and decision-making power increases women’s influence in their communities. 

In this way, these grassroots organizations empowering women in Haiti transform economic participation into meaningful advocacy.

The Impacts of Grassroots Cooperatives on Women

The success of this model reflects a broader global pattern in which grassroots women’s cooperatives drive sustainable development. Evidence shows that cooperatives increase income while also expanding leadership capacity by giving women opportunities to make decisions, manage finances and resolve conflicts. Many women in these groups take on leadership roles for the first time, helping to challenge traditional gender norms. 

These cooperatives also support environmental sustainability through activities like reforestation and soil restoration. Globally, gender equality is essential to achieving development outcomes, including poverty reduction, food security and climate resilience. In fact, empowering women is considered critical to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing that economic inclusion drives long-term progress.

Funding Gaps Limit Grassroots Impact

However, despite their effectiveness, grassroots organizations in Haiti face significant funding challenges. For instance, of the total $6.43 billion invested in Haiti’s development from 2010-2012, only 0.6% of that funding has gone directly to Haitian-based nonprofit organizations. At the same time, 90% of women-led and women’s rights organizations globally report experiencing funding cuts.

Despite limited resources, grassroots groups in Haiti continue to strengthen leadership, improve safety for women and girls and respond to ongoing crises. This imbalance highlights a critical gap: the most effective, community-based solutions often receive the least financial support. Expanding direct investment would allow these organizations to scale their impact and reach more women.

A Path Toward Sustainable Change

Ultimately, women’s grassroots groups in Haiti demonstrate that economic empowerment can drive lasting social change. Programs like the Women’s Initiative show that when women gain access to income, skills and leadership opportunities, they do more than support their families; they strengthen entire communities. Expanding support for grassroots, cooperative-based initiatives offers a clear pathway toward reducing poverty, advancing gender equality and building a more sustainable future for Haiti.

– Kianna Hines

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

Photo: Flickr

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Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain in Chad and Sudan

vaccine cold chain in ChadAfrica lacks the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines. As a result, combined with other factors such as limited health care infrastructure, vaccination rates across the continent remain lower than in many other parts of the world. Since building high-functioning manufacturing facilities would be both difficult and costly, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are seeking practical, feasible ways to expand vaccine access in Africa.

Why Vaccine Delivery Remains a Challenge

Although many vaccines are available today, low vaccination rates in Chad and Sudan mean that only a few can be prioritized immediately. In 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched pneumococcal, rotavirus and malaria vaccines in Chad. This approach centers on reducing vaccine-preventable deaths, making these vaccines the most immediately impactful.

Vaccines are not widely manufactured in Africa and are often transported from overseas. Most also need to be stored at specific temperatures to remain effective. Adding to the challenge, each vaccine requires its own storage conditions. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed toolkit on vaccine storage and handling.

The cold chain is the critical system that allows vaccines to reach their destination safely and remain usable. If required temperatures are not maintained throughout the process, vaccines can lose potency and health workers must discard them. This means that everyone involved in the cold chain process, from transport personnel to staff managing refrigeration at medical facilities, requires specialized training. 

It also demands strong infrastructure and tightly coordinated logistics to ensure there are no gaps in storage or delivery. Because cold chain delivery and storage require such close oversight, the UNICEF Supply Division treats them as a major operational priority.

The Status Quo

While the vaccine cold chain requires particular attention, refrigeration is also essential for many other perishable supplies that must be transported to especially hot climates, such as Chad and Sudan. According to the WHO’s Communications Officer for News and Media, the organization published an evidence brief for this reason. Titled “Solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators and freezers,” the brief explains how solar power can play a particularly important role in vaccine storage. 

Because electricity is unreliable in many parts of Chad and Sudan, clinics and transporters often rely on kerosene and gasoline to power cold chain storage and refrigeration. Unfortunately, these fuel-powered systems are both costly and difficult to maintain. Rising prices and supply chain disruptions can also make kerosene and gasoline hard to keep in stock. 

In addition, because these fuels are used with absorption refrigeration systems rather than the more reliable electric refrigerators, reliability remains a major concern.

Where Do Solar Panels Come In?

As demand for reliable energy grows, researchers are exploring alternatives to fossil fuels. Beyond climate concerns, fossil fuels are finite and increasingly expensive. While no energy source currently known to scientists is without cost, many groups have spent years searching for sustainable options with the lowest possible operating costs.

While energy needs vary across regions, Northern Africa’s arid climate and abundant sunshine make solar power a strong candidate for a major energy source. Globally, CleanEnergy predicts that solar power will become a leading source of energy generation by 2050. WHO and UNICEF, alongside partners such as the World Bank, are actively scaling up solar energy to stabilize critical health, water and education services in Chad and Sudan.

Barriers To Creating a Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain

Transitioning to new energy sources does not come without cost. Although sunshine is abundant in Northern Africa, installing solar panels would require a major investment. While exact figures are unclear, providing solar-powered refrigeration and cold chain storage for vaccines in Chad and Sudan would likely require large organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF to purchase and install a significant number of solar panels.

There would also be initial challenges in integrating solar energy into existing power systems. Although this would likely be a short-term issue, failures during the transition could lead to the loss of vaccines and other perishable supplies. In addition, while Chad and Sudan are still developing their solar regulatory frameworks, government policy remains an important consideration when implementing large-scale energy or grid infrastructure projects.

Looking to the Future

While 2050 is more than two decades away, solar energy use is rapidly expanding worldwide and creating a solar-powered vaccine cold chain in Chad and Sudan will soon be a reality. Given the evidence highlighting refrigeration’s critical role in vaccine distribution, solar power is likely to be prioritized and expanded in the region sooner rather than later.

– Nicole Miller

Nicole is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Women’s Self-Help Groups in India Are Reducing Poverty

Women’s Self Help Groups in India Across rural India, women’s self-help groups (SHGs) play a central role in expanding financial inclusion. These groups typically consist of 12 to 15 women who meet regularly, save money and provide small loans to one another while also connecting with formal banking systems. By pooling their resources, members gain access to credit and can invest in income-generating activities.

The World Bank reports that SHGs connect underserved communities with financial institutions and help millions of unbanked households enter the formal economy. Today, more than 80 million women participate in these networks, making SHGs one of the largest community-driven financial systems worldwide. In addition to financial access, SHGs provide platforms for training, information-sharing and community support. 

These groups help women increase household income, improve health practices and strengthen their role in decision-making. As a result, SHGs expand financial inclusion while also driving long-term social and economic change in rural communities.

National Rural Livelihoods Mission

In 2011, the Government of India launched the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to reduce rural poverty by strengthening women-led economic networks. As one of the world’s largest livelihood initiatives, the program aims to reach around 350 million people across 12 states, where the majority of India’s rural poor live. NRLM organizes rural women into SHGs and provides them with training, financial literacy and access to credit. 

These groups help women build savings, invest in small businesses and connect with formal banking systems. In addition, the program supports farmers, artisans and small producers by linking them to markets and strengthening their ability to negotiate fair prices. Beyond financial support, NRLM also invests in skill development for rural youth and promotes entrepreneurship at the local level. 

By combining access to finance with market opportunities, the initiative helps women move beyond subsistence work and build more stable sources of income. This large-scale approach has also created opportunities for collaboration with organizations and local initiatives that further support women’s economic participation.

Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs in India

Several organizations in India actively support women entrepreneurs by providing skills, networks and access to economic opportunities. These initiatives focus on helping women build stable incomes rather than rely on short-term support.

The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), founded in 1972, organizes women working in India’s informal economy and represents more than 3.7 million members across the country. SEWA provides financial services, training and collective support, enabling women to improve their working conditions and secure more reliable incomes. By bringing informal workers together, the organization strengthens both economic security and bargaining power.

The Raise India Foundation works directly with communities to improve access to education, skills training and job opportunities. Over the past decade, the organization has reached more than 1.8 million people through projects across several Indian states. Its programs equip women with practical skills and support them in entering the workforce or starting small businesses.

At the same time, individual entrepreneurs are creating new pathways for economic participation. Designers like Diya Joukani build independent brands by combining local craftsmanship with digital platforms. Through her work, she creates and sells her own designs, generating income while promoting locally made products.

Together, these efforts show how structured support and individual initiative can strengthen women’s economic participation and contribute to poverty reduction across India.

Women Entrepreneurs Transforming Local Communities

At the community level, women-led businesses are reshaping everyday economic life. From tailoring and food production to small retail ventures, these businesses generate income while creating new opportunities within local economies. As more women gain access to financial tools, training and support networks, they continue to build independent livelihoods and strengthen economic stability.

This progress highlights how women’s self-help groups in India are helping reduce poverty by expanding financial inclusion and supporting entrepreneurship. Through both organized initiatives and individual efforts, women are increasing household incomes and contributing to long-term community development.

India’s experience shows that when women receive the right support, the impact extends far beyond individual success. Women entrepreneurs are not only improving their own living conditions but also helping to build more resilient and inclusive communities for the future.

– Elif Oktar

Elif is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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