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AI Diagnostics in Rwanda Could Strengthen Frontline Health Care

AI Diagnostics in RwandaAI diagnostics in Rwanda are drawing attention because they suggest a practical way to strengthen health care in places where medical staff are stretched thin. In low-resource settings, frontline health workers often face difficult clinical questions with limited equipment, few specialists and heavy patient demand. Rwanda’s recent research suggests that artificial intelligence could help close part of that gap by supporting health workers rather than replacing them.

Why Health Care Access Matters in Rwanda

This matters because poverty and health care are closely connected in Rwanda. World Bank data shows that 27.4% of the population lives below the national poverty line and 38.55% lives below the $3-a-day international poverty line. When families live with limited income, delays in diagnosis, transport costs and shortages in local care can make treatment harder to reach and more expensive in practice.

Rwanda has made major health gains, but access challenges remain. Government information says the country has about 58,000 community health workers and 66% of them are women. These workers are often the first link between communities and the formal health system. They monitor health at the village level, provide basic services and refer patients when cases become more serious. That makes better decision support at the community level especially important.

What the Study Found

A February 2026 study published in Nature Health tested five large language models using real clinical questions from Rwanda’s community health system. Researchers built a dataset of 5,609 questions submitted by 101 community health workers across four districts. They compared responses from Gemini-2, GPT-4o, o3-mini, DeepSeek R1 and Meditron-70B with answers from local clinicians. In a subset of 524 question-and-answer pairs scored across 11 expert-rated metrics, Gemini-2 and GPT-4o performed best and all five models outperformed local clinicians across every metric measured.

The cost difference made the findings even more striking. The study reported that clinician-generated answers cost an average of $5.43 per question for general practitioners and $3.80 for nurses. Model-generated responses cost about $0.0035 in English and $0.0044 in Kinyarwanda. Even when performance dropped slightly in Kinyarwanda, the models still outperformed clinicians and remained more than 500 times cheaper per response. For a health system trying to stretch limited resources, that level of efficiency matters.

Why AI Diagnostics in Rwanda Could Help

The promise of AI diagnostics in Rwanda is not only about answering questions faster. It is also about helping frontline workers decide when a case may be urgent, when symptoms point to a likely condition and when a patient should receive a referral for higher-level care. In settings where staff shortages and access gaps create pressure on the system, stronger support for frontline workers could improve speed, consistency and patient outcomes. Rwanda’s own health labor market analysis has documented workforce constraints and uneven distribution of health professionals, especially in lower-resource settings.

Rwanda is also building systems that could help these tools work at scale. In April 2025, the Ministry of Health launched the National Health Intelligence Center, a platform designed to collect and process real-time health data for evidence-based decisions. That matters because useful AI tools need more than strong models. They also need data systems, implementation planning and oversight.

International support is also growing in that direction. In January 2026, OpenAI and the Gates Foundation announced Horizon 1000, a $50 million initiative beginning in Rwanda. The goal is to support leaders in African countries, starting with Rwanda, and reach 1,000 primary health care clinics and surrounding communities by 2028. Reuters reported that the effort aims to improve health care delivery in places facing severe health worker shortages.

What Still Needs To Be Proven

Still, this story is not just about excitement over new technology. In February 2026, Wellcome, the Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation launched the Evidence for AI in Health initiative, backed by $60 million to support locally led evaluations of AI tools in low- and middle-income countries. That matters because governments need evidence on what works, where it adds value and how it can be used responsibly. In Rwanda, language quality, privacy safeguards, clinical safety and real-world implementation will shape whether these tools truly help patients.

AI will not replace doctors, nurses or community health workers. But it may help them do more with limited time and limited resources. That is what makes AI diagnostics in Rwanda worth watching. If Rwanda continues to pair innovation with evidence, oversight and local implementation, this approach could become a strong example of how technology can expand access to quality care in places that need it most.

– Adriana Carolina Herrera

Adriana is based in Mentor, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How IoT Sensors Are Helping Moroccan Farmers Fight Drought

IoT SensorsMorocco’s agricultural sector is at a turning point as the country faces increased water scarcity, climate instability and pressure on food security. As drought conditions intensify, many Moroccan farmers are turning to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart irrigation technology to protect their crops and livelihoods. 

Agriculture remains a significant part of Morocco’s economy. Around 40% of Morocco’s workforce is employed in agriculture, meaning millions of livelihoods depend on stable harvests. At the same time, the sector contributes between 13% and 20% of the country’s GDP, making water shortages not only an environmental issue but also a major economic challenge. 

Water management is also crucial, as only 15% of Morocco’s cultivated land is irrigated. Yet, this land produces about 75% of the country’s agricultural exports. With so much production reliant on limited irrigation systems, improving smart irrigation technology has become essential to maintaining crop yields during droughts. 

IoT Sensors in Morocco

To address these challenges, IoT sensors are helping Moroccan farmers monitor soil health and manage water more efficiently. These smart sensors collect real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels and pH, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation and fertilization. Farmers can then use this data to apply the precise amount of water their crops need rather than relying on traditional estimates. 

According to industry reports, adopting smart agricultural technologies and IoT sensors in Morocco has already led to a 20% increase in water-use efficiency. A key technology that supports this transformation is the Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN). It enables low-cost sensors to transmit data across large rural areas. 

Agricultural organizations and technology developers are deploying these sensors directly in farmers’ fields, making digital solutions more accessible to small-scale farmers. These technologies are also improving crop stability. Even with less water overall, delivering irrigation at the precise moment plants need it can improve crop quality and maintain yields. 

For many smallholder Moroccan farmers, this reliability can mean the difference between a successful harvest and a failed season. 

Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Morocco

Despite its promise, IoT technology alone cannot solve Morocco’s agricultural challenges. Several barriers still limit the widespread adoption of smart agriculture tools. First, the upfront costs of IoT sensors and digital irrigation systems can still pose a risk for farmers operating on narrow profit margins. 

While the technology is relatively affordable compared to traditional equipment, many small-scale farmers need financial support to adopt it. Second, digital literacy remains a challenge. Farmers must learn to interpret soil data and integrate it into daily farming decisions. 

Finally, there remain infrastructure gaps in rural regions. LoRaWAN networks rely on communication gateways that transmit sensor data over long distances, making the expansion of connectivity in remote agricultural areas essential.

Looking Ahead

Morocco is investing heavily in long-term solutions to its growing water crisis. The government’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy aims to expand water-saving irrigation systems to “one million hectares” of farmland by 2030. At the same time, digital agriculture is becoming a national priority, with many programs supporting smart irrigation tools, satellite monitoring and connected soil sensors. 

If these initiatives continue to expand, especially for smallholder farmers, technologies like IoT sensors could become a key part of Morocco’s strategy to protect harvests and conserve water. They could also help build a more climate-resilient agricultural sector.

– Ines Wargui

Ines is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Poverty Eradication in Bosnia and HerzegovinaMany still remember Bosnia and Herzegovina as the site of violent conflict during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s. Today, however, the country ranks as an upper-middle-income economy and continues to slowly make its way towards European integration. Despite this progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces significant structural economic challenges. Around 16.9% of the population lives below the poverty line, and foreign direct investment (FDI) has declined since 2023. The economy still relies heavily on traditional sectors such as manufacturing, as well as remittances from its large diaspora. At the same time, the country is developing several emerging sectors. Since 2022, EU-backed programs have supported tourism, entrepreneurship and job creation to move toward poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the age of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, these sectors offer new opportunities for economic growth and diversification.

Who Does Poverty Most Affect?

The Borgen Project spoke with Amina Hadžić, Youth Advisor to the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She explains that “unemployed individuals, particularly young people entering the labor market for the first time, as well as pensioners who often survive on very low monthly incomes” face the highest risk of poverty. She also highlights that “rural populations are highly exposed to economic hardship due to limited employment opportunities and weaker infrastructure compared to urban area.” Other vulnerable groups include single-parent households, people with disabilities and Roma populations.

These inequalities reflect strong rural – urban disparities. Around 19% of people living in rural areas experience poverty, compared to just 9% in urban areas. Children in rural regions also face higher levels of deprivation, particularly in access to early childhood education, internet and basic sanitation.

Weak infrastructure drives a lot of this inequality. In many rural areas, communities lack reliable access to essential services; some households still transport water using tractors or horse carts because they cannot access stable water supply and sanitation systems. These conditions directly impact quality of life and restrict economic opportunities.

At the same time, structural challenges in the labor market worsen poverty. While the overall unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at around 12.6%, youth unemployment exceeds 28% in 2025. Informal employment accounts for more than 23% of total employment, leaving many workers without stable income or social protection.

Systemic issues, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragmented governance structure and unequal access to social services, reinforce these challenges and prevent many people from accessing economic opportunities and public services.

With nearly half of the country’s population living in rural areas, these conditions clearly show that the government must advance innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This means expanding infrastructure, especially water, sanitation, education, transport and digital connectivity, to reduce poverty and drive long-term development.

Infrastructure as a Foundation for Development

International organizations and local authorities have started to address infrastructure gaps between rural and urban communities. In rural areas, limited access to water remains a major issue. Projects financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank now expand water and sanitation systems. For instance, a €2.1 million grant supports the construction of wastewater and water systems, bringing reliable services to 93,000 people.

These investments already deliver results. In the village of Gajevi near Šamac, workers built an 18-kilometer water network that now provides 146 households with stable access to drinking water for the first time. Residents no longer struggle with chronic shortages and unsafe conditions.

Transport infrastructure also plays a key role in reducing regional isolation. The World Bank supported the construction of the 36-kilometer Neum – Stolac road, which opened in 2022. The new route reduced travel time from 90 minutes to just 25. Improved connectivity between the country’s only coastal municipality and inland town now supports tourism in Neum and creates new opportunities for businesses and agriculture in Stolac. As one local hotel owner noted, the road “opens up a million possibilities.”

 These projects show how infrastructure investment can improve daily life while unlocking economic potential.

Digital Innovation and Civic Participation

Beyond physical infrastructure, the digital and IT sector is emerging as one of the key innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Amina Hadžić emphasizes, “digital innovation and the development of the IT sector represent one of the most promising opportunities for economic growth and youth employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

International partnerships have accelerated this transformation. In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Digital Europe Programme, which allows the country to participate in EU-wide projects focused on artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills. The programme also supports the creation of Digital Innovation Hubs, which help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen their digital capacities and integrate into the European digital economy. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts have improved digital skills, raising the share of individuals with above-basic digital skills by 6.8% .

More broadly, these initiatives expand access to entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly for young people. Training programs in coding, digital marketing and software development create new employment opportunities that do not depend on local labor market constraints.

Digital tools also improve access to public services and civic participation. The UNDP has supported platforms such as eCitizen, which allows residents to communicate directly with local authorities and access services more efficiently. Similarly, the eNewborn (ePorodilja) system simplifies access to social benefits for new parents, while Digital Pulse helps small businesses evaluate and improve their digital readiness. These tools increase transparency, strengthen public services, and encourage citizen engagement. Platforms such as YourCO2 (TvojCO2.ba) also promote climate action by connecting individual behavior to environmental impact.

Towards Inclusive Growth

Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces deep structural challenges, but recent developments show how infrastructure investment and digital innovation can reduce poverty. New water systems, roads, and public services improve living conditions and reduce regional inequalities, especially in rural areas. At the same time, digital tools expand access to employment, education and civic participation. 

However, digital innovation alone cannot solve these challenges. Without reliable infrastructure, education and inclusive policies, many people will remain excluded from these opportunities. Bosnia must therefore invest in both physical and digital systems to ensure that development reaches all communities. 

As the country continues its path toward European integration, it must combine infrastructure development with digital transformation. Together, these approaches can drive innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promote inclusive growth and build a more resilient and equitable future.

– Inès Maudire

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

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Equatorial Guinea

Renewable Energy in Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea, a country just slightly above the equator line, has 1.4 million residents. Gas and fossil fuels provide 69% of the energy consumed in the country. The other 31% of energy consumed comes from hydropower, largely from the Dijibloho hydroelectric plant. Here is more information about renewable energy in Equatorial Guinea.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction

In 2023, the Equatorial Guinean government announced a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by the year 2030. The government can only achieve this endeavor through further investment into renewable energies. An expansion in further hydropower projects could not only work towards this goal, but also provide stable employment for many citizens. The construction of the Dijibloho Dam from 2008 to 2012 demonstrates the potential benefits of hydropower investment, evidenced by the rapid growth in renewable energy generation in the years after the dam became operational. In 2011, Equatorial Guinea consumed only 4% of its energy through hydropower yet in 2015, the third year with the Dijibloho Dam running, this percentage jumped to 33%.

Hydropower Expansion

Building on its recent hydropower investments, the government of Equatorial Guinea is expanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy production through the construction of the Sendje hydro project. This dam, with plans brewing since 2020, is ongoing and entirely funded by the Equatorial Guinean government. The new project is planned to attain a capacity of 200 MW, which would far eclipse the 120 MW capacity of the Dijibloho Dam. Therefore, when this Sendje hydro project reaches completion, the country’s energy consumption can begin to transfer towards a higher dependence on hydropower than that of fossil fuels.

The Beneficial Effects of Relying on Hydropower

Large projects like the Sendje dam represent the impact that investment in renewable energy in Equatorial Guinea can have on a community at large. Those living near the dam have the opportunity to attain a sustainable job not just through the construction of the plant, but also its maintenance and operation. The creation of new jobs remains the most powerful tool for reducing poverty by providing income as well as social identity. Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, acknowledges this and plans to continue investing in the natural resources of the country to support the nation’s burgeoning non-oil sectors.

Reliable energy can also play a significant role in reducing poverty among local residents who the project did not directly employ. Approximately 18% of households in Equatorial Guinea still lack access to electricity, with higher percentages in rural areas. Projects like the Sendje Dam are particularly beneficial for these communities, providing access to reliable electricity that can be produced more sustainably and often at lower long-term cost than fossil fuel based energy.

Looking Ahead

Renewable energy is abundant in Equatorial Guinea. Through the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in projects like the Sendje dam, the country can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and expand access to electricity. These developments both help to address poverty in rural communities and protect the rich natural environment. Continued investment in renewable energy therefore has the potential to support both economic development and environmental preservation across the country.

– Zaccheri Morra

Zaccheri  is based in Tallahassee, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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3 Ways 5G Could Reduce Poverty in Ghana

3 Ways 5G Could Reduce Poverty in Ghana As of March 2026, Ghana’s 5G network is online in selected cities: the capital, Accra, as well as Kumasi and Tamale. Network operator Next Gen InfraCo holds exclusive rights to provide 5G services in the West African nation and aims to extend coverage to 70% of Ghana’s population of 35 million by 2027.

The 5G network is expected to improve mobile internet speeds significantly and support emerging technologies such as advanced digital intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI). Existing industries, including agriculture, health care and education, are also expected to benefit. By expanding access to critical services and resources, the 5G rollout is expected to gradually ease poverty in Ghana over the coming years.

Here are three ways 5G could reduce poverty in Ghana.

Precision Farming and Agriculture

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, director-general of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), spoke in March 2026 about the new 5G network’s capacity to develop the agricultural industry:

“For 5G, there are use cases for industries. We expect deployments… in agriculture. Services that are not possible today will become possible because of the speeds and high capacity that 5G will deliver.”

5G’s capability to assist agriculture stems from its ability to deliver large quantities of sensor data at high speeds. Farmers will be able to track weather conditions and crop health from Internet of Things (IoT) remote sensors. High-resolution images assessing the condition of fields and crops will be easier to receive.

With 5G, farmers are set to be more resilient to climate change and other volatilities, increasing the stability of Ghana’s internal crop and livestock markets. Food may therefore become cheaper and more accessible, helping rural communities that have typically been vulnerable to famine.

Telemedicine and Health Care

As in agriculture, 5G’s capacity to transfer large quantities of data quickly will have effects on Ghana’s health care system. Health care access in Ghana has traditionally been concentrated in urban areas, including Greater Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, in which 81% of the population has access to primary health care.

However, despite the relatively high rate of primary health care access, 30% of the population must travel far to receive primary health care. In rural and remote areas, quality health care access is far rarer and has been a persistent challenge through shortages of essential medical equipment and supplies, inadequate health care infrastructure and long distances to services.

Through 5G, existing software and digital intelligence will improve, allowing health care professionals to see more patients with greater efficiency. In rural areas, rather than traveling, patients will have access to live remote consultations. High bandwidth, reaching up to 10 Gbps, enhances the quality of telehealth services by allowing the transmission of large medical files and high-definition video.

Role of Education

Education is a critical process in the alleviation of poverty. Ghana’s rural communities have traditionally been affected by unequal education access, falling behind urban areas in both the quality and provision of education.

Although there remain some issues related to the distribution of device access, 5G has the potential to benefit education systems in rural, impoverished areas. 5G will permit real-time video conferencing and collaborative online tools, ensuring that students can access quality education regardless of the remoteness of their location.

Looking Ahead

Through its capacity to process, send and receive data quickly, 5G is set to have an impact on the agriculture, health care and education sectors in Ghana. Rural and remote communities that have typically been excluded from development may gain greater access to critical services, supporting long-term efforts to reduce poverty in Ghana.

– Arthur Horsey

Arthur is based in Hampshire, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Timor-Leste

Poverty Eradication in Timor-LesteTimor-Leste is a Southeast Asian nation with a population of more than 1.4 million people. The country, bordered by Indonesia and Australia, continues to face significant development challenges, particularly high levels of poverty. Researchers classify approximately 48.3% of the population as multidimensionally poor, and in 2024, 16% of the employed population lived on less than $2.15 per day.

In recent years, the government of Timor-Leste launched an ambitious and comprehensive poverty eradication program to improve living standards and promote inclusive economic growth. These efforts present some of the most important innovations in poverty eradication in Timor-Leste.  A central pillar of this effort is the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA). Government officials and International partners support this framework through a range of interconnected initiatives spanning social protection, education, economic diversification and overall institutional strengthening. Together, these complementary measures create a coordinated program aimed at alleviating poverty in Timor-Leste.

Putting the People First

In 2025, the United Nations published a report on poverty in Timor-Leste that outlining several key strategies the country uses to address its persistent development challenges. The first approach prioritizes strengthening the resilience and well-being of Timorese communities. One of the flagship initiatives is the Bolsa da Mãe Kondisional programme, which provides “[…] conditional cash transfers to low-income families.”

Under this initiative, eligible households receive regular financial assistance. These conditions often include ensuring children attend school consistently, participate in routine health check-ups, receive essential vaccinations, and are provided with weekly food supplies. In 2025, the program boasted an intense turnout, reaching more than 74,648 households, with particular focus on vulnerable mothers and children.

Beyond direct income support, DPoA efforts also target the structural causes of poverty, particularly through education reform and investment. The World Bank Group, through the International Development Association (IDA), partnered with the Timorese government to rehabilitate 2,780 classrooms across 535 schools and construct 102 new educational facilities. As a result, primary school completion rates increased from 56% in 2015 to approximately 62% in 2020. In more recent years, primary and secondary school enrolment rates have also improved drastically, with dropout rates falling by 50%. Higher levels of educational attainment now strengthens the foundation for future employment opportunities, helping more young people access the skills they need to participate in the workforce. Hence, these education-driven initiatives represent key innovations in poverty eradication in Timor-Leste, by fundamentally addressing long-term inequality by investing in human capital. 

“Better” Lifestyles Through Innovation 

Beyond traditional, on-the-ground development initiatives, rapid technological advancement now plays an increasingly important role in transforming Timor-Leste into a more digitally connected society. This digital expansion helps reduce  poverty by widening people’s access to information, services and economic opportunities, representing yet another example of key innovations in poverty eradication in Timor-Leste. 

The period between 2024 and 2025 marks a pivotal phase in the country’s digital infrastructure development. The government and its partners installed a fibre-optic underwater cable linking Timor-Leste to Australia, enabling the country to transition from a costly and unreliable satellite to faster and more affordable broadband connectivity. In addition, the launch of a Starlink license for Timor-Leste in late 2024 has “[…] provided immediate connectivity to remote rural areas that were previously excluded from the digital economy.”

This growing technological infrastructure now allows more people to access online education, digital financial services, remote employment opportunities and government platforms has become increasingly more apparent with the help of this growing technocratic sphere in Timor. By the end of 2025, internet penetration reached 40.4%, with more than 575,000 active users nationwide.

Conclusion

Timor-Leste illustrates a rich context in which poverty reduction is gradually taking shape. The country strategically combines targeted social protection programmes, such as the Bolsa da Mãe “Kondisional,” with technological advancements and frameworks like the Doha Programme of Action, to steadily transform poverty management strategies. These efforts are not only alleviating immediate hardships but also lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable development.

– 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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Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

Tackling Digital Poverty in PunjabTackling digital poverty in Punjab is currently one of the highest priorities in achieving fair access to education. There is a low level of digital literacy in Punjab as a result of socioeconomic constraints, gender inequality and rural-urban divides. Rural and marginalized populations have limited device ownership, inadequate connectivity and high levels of digital illiteracy. Within the education system, children from low-income households, rural communities and female students face additional hurdles because of digital poverty.

In India, for every household that is online, about one household remains offline. This gap underscores how digital poverty is shaping educational outcomes and the scale of the challenge in addressing it. Academic performance is impacted by the digital divide. Disadvantaged learners face reduced educational persistence and limited career prospects.

To ensure fair access and inclusion for all students and to create equal opportunities both in school and in the job market later in life, digital poverty has become a pressing issue for India and Punjab.

POISE and Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors is addressing digital poverty in Punjab to improve education through the Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) program. An investment of $286 million has been made available for the project, which uses technology to monitor learning outcomes.

The investment means that 1.3 million primary school students are enrolled and more than 2.2 million secondary school students are also attending classes. In addition, 592,000 students in early childhood education will receive support through POISE. Digital infrastructure in schools will be expanded through the installation of computer labs, tablets and projectors, particularly for science and mathematics curricula.

Creating a Future Without Digital Poverty in Punjab

Paul Proccee, acting country director for the World Bank India, stated that “digital infrastructure has the potential to significantly drive economic development and poverty reduction.” He also noted that digital infrastructure can help fulfill “India’s vision of Viksit Bharat through quality education for better jobs.” 

Meghna Sharma and Ragnvald Michel Maellberg, task team leaders for the program, stated that “POISE will help to improve school readiness at pre-primary level, foundational learning at primary level, skills at the secondary level for school to higher education or work transition, as well as teacher training and school management.”

In recent years, India has shifted toward technology-led development. The aims of POISE include strengthening readiness for school, improving literacy and numeracy skills, enhancing the quality of STEM education and improving pathways into higher education and employment for students.

Looking Ahead

Tackling digital poverty in Punjab has the potential to transform education and expand opportunities for many students. The Digital Poverty Alliance has emphasized that digital poverty limits social and economic inclusion. The issue involves not only a lack of access to technology but also a lack of digital literacy and skills, which are essential in an increasingly connected world. POISE in Punjab represents a step toward ensuring that, regardless of background, more students have access to the opportunities created by the digital age.

– Suneel Mehmi

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

Photo: Unsplash

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ZNotes: Reducing Learning Poverty Through Education

ZNotesEducation does not just reduce learning poverty. It also provides a better future and enhances the chances of people who did not have access to education before. This can provide greater access to jobs and reduce income inequality. 

Education can transform lives socially and empower people across demographics to improve their own lives. Even people in developing nations like India are achieving state ranks due to these educational opportunities. 

ZNotes

ZNotes is an educational platform created by Zubair Junjunia, who witnessed the inequalities students faced during their end-of-year exams. Junjunia launched the platform when he was just 16. Now, this platform has amassed a wealth of information to help people gain further access to educational rights.

With more than 500,000 subscribers to its databases, ZNotes has had a profound impact on more than 6 million students from more than 190 countries. Epic Angels is one of the educational platform’s biggest benefactors in the Asia Pacific region. 

The Importance of Education

UNESCO reports that global poverty would be reduced by more than 50% if everyone completed secondary education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning poverty rate skyrocketed to about 70% due to limited access to educational resources. ZNotes is a good way to quell this hindrance. 

If everyone (including those in developing or low-income households) had proper access to education, then 171 million people would be able to have better lives and be free from poverty. Although ZNotes has garnered support from more than 4.5 million students globally, coverage of certain topics remains limited. 

How ZNotes Is Reducing Learning Poverty

ZNotes is an immensely popular online learning tool that has also won awards for its syllabus-tailored study materials, which increase the chances of getting good grades. What started as a personal effort quickly turned into a global fight against educational inequality. It has worked to reduce the rate of learning poverty ever since by connecting learners across cultures, genders and faiths. 

In these diverse spaces, students exchange guidance on university, internships and career pathways, widening access to valuable social capital. Beyond preparing students for high-stakes exams, ZNotes equips them for life after school. Through its internship and contribution programs, young people gain real-world experience in a global social impact startup, building both academic and employability skills. The results are clear: 77% of interns report stronger candidacy for jobs and future internships.

Conclusion

Education is a powerful yet complex tool to foster growth, independence and success. ZNotes is an online educational platform dedicated to working collaboratively with students to reduce learning poverty. With millions of supporters, ZNotes has significantly contributed to reducing learning poverty by empowering students to become globally connected, career-ready leaders through a combination of academic support and real-world experience.

– Shruti Reddy

Shruti is based in Cedarhurst, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Aid in Ukraine: Diia Platform as Wartime Lifeline

Digital Aid in UkraineThe mechanics of technological warfare have continued to evolve under the conditions of conflict that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has created. Nearly four years of fighting have seen the routine use of standardized drones, tactical disruption of electronic and networked services and the broadening parameters of the intelligence or information battlefield emerge as the most prominent changes. Yet, alongside the developments in combat, Ukrainian and international bodies have also utilized technological advancements in their response to Russian aggression, marking a shift toward digital aid in Ukraine as a cornerstone of wartime resilience.

Aid Disruption

In addition to the growing number of casualties, of both soldiers and civilians, Ukraine has suffered the mass displacement of its citizens, economic and infrastructural decimation and a worsening refugee crisis. Since the beginning of the war, more than 14 million Ukrainians, roughly a third of the total population, have fled their homes. By November 2024, damage to infrastructure and resources had amounted to $170 billion.

Residential buildings, administrative buildings, energy supplies, health care services and digital infrastructure are the main targets.

Ukraine and E-Governance

However, in Ukraine’s case, the anticipated disruption to essential governmental and social services did not cause as much disruption. This is because the country significantly mitigated it six years ago by migrating from localized paper-based systems to an integrated digital “e-governance” platform called Diia. The government of Ukraine launched Diia nationally in 2020 under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine developed the platform as a mobile application and online portal to digitize public services and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency. The national platform allows citizens to access digital passports, business registrations and social services through a centralized system.

Diia During Warfare

Under siege, Diia has demonstrated administrative resilience and played a critical role in streamlining and maintaining the continuity of government operations disrupted by the war. For example, through its partnership with Visa, the system enabled the state to make financial transactions to citizens, ensuring they continued to receive financial aid throughout the conflict. This includes the UAH 6,500 ($158) in cash the government gave to those living in areas affected by the war and monthly government transfers of UAH 2,000 ($49) per adult and UAH 3,000 ($73) per child to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Moreover, Diia has enabled accurate, consistent communication between the state and citizens, providing essential updates on the conflict’s proceedings. The public can also report any damage to property or infrastructure, keeping records precise and aiding the process of reparation and rebuilding. Vitally, Diia has ensured that Ukrainians can travel domestically and to neighboring European countries without hindrance, as border officials recognize Diia documents in several European nations.

Access to digital identification, including passports and relevant birth certificates, has streamlined crossings, reduced pressure on refugee processing systems and facilitated safer migration.

Final Thoughts

Responding to the mass displacement, infrastructural decimation and refugee crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion, Diia has kept vital governmental services functioning and aided cross-border mobility. It has offered a unified platform for social assistance. By preserving digital aid distribution throughout Ukraine, the platform has restored financial and mobile agency to its citizens and bolstered their struggle against the disruptive and impoverishing effects of conflict.

– Jude Parsons

Jude is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Banking in Sierra Leone Expands Financial Inclusion

Digital Banking in Sierra LeoneApproximately 60% of Sierra Leone’s population lives below the national poverty line, while about 13% live in extreme poverty. Limited access to formal banking has long reinforced economic exclusion. Today, digital banking in Sierra Leone is emerging as a practical solution to bridge that gap by connecting citizens to financial services through mobile phones rather than traditional bank branches.

Financial Exclusion and Structural Barriers

Financial exclusion remains closely tied to poverty. Data from the 2023 Multidimensional Poverty in Sierra Leone report shows that 81.6% of the population lives in a household without a bank account. Additionally, 55.2% of the population is both multidimensionally poor and lives in a household without a bank account.

One major barrier is identification. Although 6.4 million people have a National ID number, fewer than 500,000 physical ID cards have been issued as of 2024 due to cost constraints in its first year. However, on July 31, 2024, Sky Bank partnered with Orange Money to launch “Bank2wallet” services, enabling seamless transfers between bank accounts and mobile wallets.

How Digital Banking in Sierra Leone Works

The Bank of Sierra Leone and the U.N. Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) are promoting digital financial services in the country by jointly producing the State of the Digital Financial Services Market report. The report tracks adoption trends, transaction patterns and barriers to inclusion to inform policy and market strategy. Their collaboration helps shape regulatory priorities and supports efforts to expand mobile money, agent networks and inclusive digital channels. This enables more people, especially women and underserved groups, to participate in the formal financial system.

Mobile money and USSD technology let users with basic feature phones access financial services without internet connectivity. By dialing short codes, users can check balances, transfer funds and pay bills. The system works through “push and pull” integration, allowing transfers between bank accounts and mobile money wallets such as Orange Money and Afrimoney.

Telecom providers Orange Money and Africell (Afrimoney) are the country’s main mobile money operators, while commercial banks have expanded their digital channels. Sierra Leone Commercial Bank offers the “Mi Yone” suite, which integrates with mobile wallets. Sky Bank provides mobile and online banking and enables transfers to Orange Money and Afrimoney via USSD.

Impact on Households and Small Businesses

Digital systems are increasingly used to deliver government support. In a recent emergency program, 35,000 households received cash transfers directly on their mobile phones. Linking digital IDs to mobile money is helping farmers access credit and markets and the instant payments switch is expected to make it easier for citizens to get loans and start businesses.

Broader economic initiatives have supported women and entrepreneurs. Action on Poverty helped 3,500 women and girls start small businesses and boosted incomes for 6,000 people by at least 50% by the end of 2019. The African Development Bank also partnered with Access Bank to fund small and medium-sized enterprises in Sierra Leone.

With several households lacking traditional bank accounts, digital banking in Sierra Leone offers a scalable alternative that avoids costly physical infrastructure and documentation barriers. By leveraging mobile money and USSD technology, these services expand access to basic financial tools.

Final Remarks

Recent years have seen rapid growth in digital banking in Sierra Leone. In 2023–2024, Metro Cable launched Vult, a digital banking platform designed to unify bank accounts, mobile money and payment services. The app onboarded more than 475,000 users into interoperable payment systems, making financial services more accessible to rural and low-income populations.

As partnerships among the government, the World Bank, UNCDF, telecom providers and commercial banks continue to expand, digital banking in Sierra Leone is gaining momentum. Indeed, it is becoming a measurable, technology-driven push to reduce financial exclusion and strengthen economic resilience.

– Aila Alsakka

Aila is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash