Archive for category: Technology

Information and stories about technology news.

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How Solar Mamas Reduce Poverty in Zanzibar

Women assembling solar panels, showcasing Solar Mamas empowerment in Zanzibar. Poverty in ZanzibarAccess to electricity remains a challenge for many families in Zanzibar. According to Power Africa, only half of Zanzibar’s 1.6 million residents have access to electricity. Limited access to reliable energy affects education, health care and economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities. Poverty also remains a significant challenge in Zanzibar. According to the World Bank, about 43% of the population in Tanzania lives below the international poverty line for lower-middle-income countries, making access to affordable energy and stable sources of income especially important. The Solar Mamas program is helping address these challenges by training women as solar engineers who bring renewable energy to underserved villages throughout the archipelago.

What Is the Solar Mamas Program?

The Solar Mamas initiative is part of Barefoot College International, an organization that trains women from rural communities as solar engineers regardless of their age or formal education. Participants complete several months of hands-on training before returning home with the skills needed to install, repair and maintain solar energy systems in their villages. The program focuses on women because they often play central roles in supporting their families and sharing knowledge throughout their communities.

Many rural communities in Zanzibar remain beyond the reach of reliable power infrastructure. Solar Mamas help close this gap by installing solar home systems that provide clean and dependable electricity. Access to electricity allows children to study after sunset, improves household safety and enables health care facilities to provide more reliable services.

The program also reduces families’ dependence on kerosene. Barefoot College reports that some rural households burn as much as 60 liters of kerosene each year for lighting. Replacing kerosene lamps with solar power lowers household energy costs while reducing indoor air pollution, creating both economic and health benefits for families.

Creating Economic Opportunities for Women

Beyond expanding access to electricity, the Solar Mamas program creates new economic opportunities for women. Graduates use their technical skills to install and maintain solar systems while earning an income and strengthening their financial independence. Many participants also train other community members, helping expand local expertise and creating additional employment opportunities.

Reliable electricity also supports local economic growth. Small businesses can stay open later, students have more time to complete schoolwork and health clinics can safely refrigerate medicines and vaccines. Together, these improvements strengthen communities and help create conditions that support long-term poverty reduction in Zanzibar.

Looking Ahead

Barefoot College Zanzibar has demonstrated measurable success since opening its regional training center in 2015. The organization has trained 65 women from Zanzibar as solar engineers. Those graduates have helped bring electricity to 1,858 households across 29 villages, expanding access to clean energy while creating new leadership and employment opportunities for women.

As Barefoot College continues to expand its programs across East Africa, the Solar Mamas initiative demonstrates how renewable energy can do more than provide electricity. By equipping women with technical skills and helping communities transition to sustainable energy, the program is improving education, supporting health care and creating lasting economic opportunities. Its success shows that investing in women and clean energy can play an important role in reducing poverty.

– Violette Bardouil

Violette is based in Paris, France and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Indigenous Communities and the Digital Divide in Guyana

Digital Divide in GuyanaGuyana, beautiful and diverse, reflects disparities that coexist with economic growth and wealth expansion. In recent years, Guyana’s economy has progressed, but its Indigenous communities, particularly those in the hinterlands, continue to experience high poverty due to insufficient resources and inadequate internet services. Despite the nation’s progress, the persistent digital divide remains a key barrier for those in the hinterland regions. According to the World Bank, as of 2019, approximately 48% of households in Guyana are experiencing poverty, with higher social exclusion and limited access in the hinterlands. These statistics underscore that although Guyana has experienced extraordinary economic growth since commercial oil production began in 2019, growth is often not equally distributed. This can be due to geographic challenges and technological disadvantages.

Geographic Isolation and the Digital Divide in Guyana

Historically, Indigenous communities are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty due to geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and reduced access to education, health care and digital services. Guyana’s persistent digital divide is one of many barriers preventing the hinterland regions from fully participating in the country’s economic progress. Approximately 10% of Guyana’s population identifies as Indigenous, with Amerindian communities residing in regions 1, 7, 8 and 9. These regions are characterized by dense rainforests, rivers and mountainous terrain that make transportation and infrastructure development particularly difficult. As a result, many villages remain isolated from technological resources essential to modern life.

Geographic isolation perpetuates poverty by restricting access to economic opportunities more readily available in urban areas with better connectivity. To bridge the digital divide, Guyana’s government launched Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs. These hubs provide internet access, computers and digital skills training to thousands of residents across the hinterland regions. They enable community members to complete online training, search for employment, communicate with government agencies and develop small businesses that reach customers beyond their villages.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure Across the Hinterland

Several organizations are working together to close Guyana’s digital divide. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with the Government of Guyana, the National Data Management Authority and the office of the Prime Minister to expand broadband access in Indigenous communities. Through these partnerships, more than 250 ICT hubs have been established in Amerindian villages, providing internet access, computers, digital literacy training and public services. These hubs also support entrepreneurs, students and local leaders by improving access to education, financial services and government programs.

According to the Government of Guyana, internet connectivity has now reached 253 Amerindian communities, marking one of the country’s largest investments in digital inclusion to date. As additional satellite technology and renewable-energy-powered infrastructure are deployed, more remote villages are expected to gain reliable internet access.

Digital Inclusion Can Reduce Poverty

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) acknowledges digital infrastructure as a fundamental element of sustainable development. Reducing the digital divide in Guyana generates opportunities that extend beyond communication. Enhanced connectivity enables students to pursue online education, entrepreneurs to access broader markets, health care providers to expand medical services, and governments to deliver public resources more efficiently. Digital literacy prepares future generations to join a workforce increasingly reliant on technology. As Guyana invests oil revenues in national development, ensuring that Indigenous communities have equitable access to digital resources is essential for reducing long-term poverty and fostering inclusive growth.

Guyana’s economic success presents a historic opportunity to ensure prosperity reaches every community. Continued investment in broadband infrastructure, digital literacy and community technology centers can help reduce long-standing inequalities experienced by many Indigenous populations. Partnership between the Government of Guyana, UNDP and additional community agencies is already demonstrating that expanding digital access creates meaningful opportunities in both education and economic participation.

Looking Ahead

As internet connectivity continues to expand across the hinterland, more families will gain the tools needed to improve their livelihoods, strengthen local businesses and participate fully in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy. Bridging the digital divide is not simply about technology; it is an investment in sustainable poverty reduction and a more inclusive future for all Guyanese.

– Rayonna M. Sanders

Rayonna is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Benefits of Expanding Solar Power in Nigeria

Solar power in NigeriaNigeria has one of the largest economies in Africa, yet millions of people still lack reliable access to electricity. According to the World Bank, approximately 129 million Nigerians, about 56% of the population, live below the national poverty line, making poverty one of the country’s greatest development challenges. Limited access to electricity exacerbates these challenges by restricting access to education, health care and economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities. To address this issue, the Nigerian government and its partners have increasingly turned to solar energy as a practical solution. Through off-grid solar systems and mini-grids, renewable energy is expanding electricity access while supporting businesses, schools and health facilities across the country.

Bringing Electricity to Underserved Communities

Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) leads many of the country’s renewable energy initiatives. Established to increase electricity access in underserved communities, the agency works with private companies to develop solar mini-grids, standalone solar home systems and other renewable energy projects. Rather than relying solely on expanding the national power grid, the REA focuses on decentralized energy systems that can provide reliable electricity to remote communities more quickly. The agency states that its mission is to improve quality of life and create economic opportunities by expanding access to affordable and sustainable electricity. Its work also encourages private-sector investment in renewable energy, helping to make projects financially sustainable.

The Nigeria Electrification Programme

One of Nigeria’s largest renewable energy initiatives is the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP). Launched in 2018 with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the program seeks to increase electricity access for households, small businesses, schools and health facilities through renewable energy technologies. According to the program, it supports solar home systems, mini-grids and productive-use appliances while encouraging private-sector participation.

Since its launch, the NEP has provided electricity access to more than 7.8 million Nigerians, including 1.1 million households and approximately 470,000 female-headed households. The program has also supported more than 11,400 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and installed 94 megawatts of solar capacity. These projects help businesses remain open longer, reduce dependence on expensive diesel generators and improve access to essential services.

Supporting Education and Economic Growth

The use of solar power in Nigeria has benefits that extend beyond powering homes. Schools with dependable electricity can improve classroom learning through lighting, computers and internet access. Health clinics can refrigerate vaccines, operate medical equipment and provide care after sunset.

Solar energy also supports local economies. Small businesses can keep shops open later, power equipment and reduce operating costs associated with fuel-powered generators. According to the Rural Electrification Agency, many of its programs are designed specifically to improve productivity in sectors such as education, agriculture and small business development while creating an environment that encourages private investment.

Expanding Opportunities Through Partnerships

Public-private partnerships have played a major role in Nigeria’s solar expansion. Through the NEP, the government works with private developers to install solar home systems and mini-grids in communities that previously lacked reliable electricity. The REA also administers programs such as the Rural Electrification Fund and Solar Power Naija, which support companies that expand renewable energy access throughout the country.

Organizations such as Solar Sister have complemented these efforts by training women entrepreneurs to distribute clean energy products in underserved communities. These initiatives not only improve access to electricity but also create income-generating opportunities for local business owners.

Looking Ahead

Although challenges remain, including the need to expand electricity access to millions more Nigerians, solar power in Nigeria has become an increasingly important part of the country’s energy strategy. Government initiatives, international partnerships and private-sector investment continue to increase access to reliable electricity while supporting education, health care and economic development.

As Nigeria expands renewable energy infrastructure, solar technology is helping communities overcome longstanding barriers to electricity access. By powering homes, businesses, schools and health facilities, these investments demonstrate how renewable energy can contribute to poverty reduction and create new opportunities for long-term development.

– Camille Utter

Camille is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Digital Classrooms Are Expanding Education in Rwanda

Education in RwandaOver the past two decades, education has become a national priority in Rwanda, with investments in technology and the expansion of access to digital learning platforms. Through government-led reforms to increase classroom enrollment and prepare students for a progressively technology-driven world, Rwanda aims to reduce barriers to education and equip students with the necessary skills for future employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

According to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2024 Human Development Index, over 38% of Rwandans live below the national poverty line, and only 11.4 years of schooling are expected for them. Although challenges remain, including limited internet access and training for teachers, digital classrooms are facilitating modernized instruction in schools and creating new opportunities for students. As Rwanda continues to embrace educational innovation, these investments demonstrate how technology can support long-term poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The Amelioration of Education in Rwanda

Following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, an ethnic minority group in Rwanda and Burundi, Rwanda rebuilt many of its public institutions, including its education system. Over the past three decades, education has become a cornerstone of the country’s recovery and long-term development strategy.

Since then, the government has introduced policies to increase school enrollment, improve teaching quality and expand access to learning opportunities across the country. According to the Ministry of Education, Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) prioritizes equitable access to quality education to prepare students for the country’s long-term economic development.

The Smart Rwanda Master Plan identifies technology as a crucial component, with the government’s objective of transforming Rwanda into a knowledge-based economy by expanding information and communication technology (ICT) across public services, including education. Officials recognize digital literacy as an essential skill for higher education and the contemporary workforce, while simultaneously supporting the country’s primary poverty reduction objectives.

Digital Classrooms

Digital classrooms are helping improve education in Rwanda by giving students greater access to interactive learning resources. Rwanda’s commitment to digital learning gained international attention through the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative, which launched in 2009 and has distributed more than 274,000 low-cost laptops to 1,618 primary schools. The program introduced students to interactive digital learning and coding. Although the country’s digital education strategy has since expanded beyond OLPC, the initiative laid the foundation for broader investments in educational technology. The program now reaches approximately 67% of Rwanda’s primary schools as they continue to integrate computers, tablets and internet-connected learning platforms into classrooms, helping students develop the digital and STEM skills needed for higher education and an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

The government has partnered with UNICEF, the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to strengthen digital infrastructure, expand internet connectivity and train more than 30,000 pre-primary through Grade 3 teachers in digital literacy and technology-based instruction. According to Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan, these partnerships support the country’s long-term vision of building an inclusive, high-quality education system that equips students with the knowledge and digital skills needed for future employment, economic opportunity and sustainable national development. Greater access to digital education gives students from rural communities and low-income households greater opportunities to pursue higher education, helping break cycles of intergenerational poverty.

New Opportunities

Although challenges remain, including inconsistent internet access in some rural areas and the continued need for teacher training, Rwanda continues to expand digital learning through sustained public investment and international partnerships. These efforts demonstrate how technology can improve educational outcomes while creating new opportunities for young people to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.

Rwanda’s economy has experienced steady growth, with the World Bank projecting GDP growth of 9.4% in 2025, up from 7.4% in 2024. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Rwanda has emerged as one of Africa’s leading digital economies by embracing digitalization to expand employment opportunities, improve public services and drive economic growth. Demand for skilled workers continues to increase across finance, health care, agriculture, construction and ICT, creating career opportunities ranging from software engineering to risk management.

Global Partnerships

Rwanda’s digital transformation in education is largely driven by collaborations between the government and international partners. The Ministry of Education has collaborated with various organizations to enhance internet connectivity, improve school infrastructure and strengthen teacher training. These efforts aim to seamlessly integrate technology into daily learning while ensuring educators are proficient in effectively utilizing digital tools.

In 2024, the GPE approved a $31.29 million System Transformation Grant to strengthen foundational learning for the next four years. From 2022 to 2027, the World Bank is cofinancing a $30 million Multiplier Grant with GPE to improve digital infrastructure, teacher training and increase student retention. UNICEF also continues to expand digital learning opportunities and promote inclusive education for children nationwide. Together, these investments have helped Rwanda build one of Africa’s most robust education systems, contributing to a 95.8% primary enrollment rate.

The Future of Education in Rwanda

Education in Rwanda continues to evolve alongside the country’s broader vision for economic development and digital innovation. Over the past decade, Rwanda has built more than 1,100 schools and more than 22,000 classrooms. The number of smart classrooms has also increased from 726 in 2017 to more than 1,300 in 2026.

According to the International Trade Administration, Rwanda’s economy has grown significantly since 2016, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $14.3 billion, making it one of Africa’s fastest-growing markets.

Maintaining progress in education and the economy requires continued investments in equitable access to digital learning and occupational advancements. By continuing to prioritize innovation and inclusive education, Rwanda can further strengthen its workforce, promote sustainable economic growth and create lasting pathways out of poverty for future generations.

– Ashley Belling

Ashley is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tafenoquine Malaria Treatment in Brazil

Malaria Treatment in BrazilAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were an estimated 282 million cases of malaria with 610,000 deaths in 80 countries worldwide in 2024. Malaria remains a life-threatening disease affecting mostly countries with tropical climates. Among low- and middle-income countries, nearly half of households spend more than 40% on health care. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that 1.9 billion people who live in areas with malaria face the threat of being pushed into poverty.

Malaria in Brazil

In Brazil, malaria has a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable communities, predominantly concentrated in the Amazon regions. When malaria is contracted, symptoms can be overbearing, affecting the person’s ability to work. As these regions are relatively remote, accessing health care requires time and travel costs, further adding to the economic burden.

Between 2016 and 2022, large-scale deforestation from illegal mining worsened the situation. Miners who come to these regions are potential parasite carriers and may increase transmission. Mining, which involves deforestation and river dredging, also creates breeding grounds for mosquito species that carry malaria. Researchers have described communities in Brazil’s Amazon regions as trapped in a cycle in which deforestation drives poverty, and poverty in turn drives further deforestation.

In 2023, Brazil declared malaria a public health emergency in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory in the Amazon rainforest bordering Venezuela. Nearly every person tested by a team of doctors sent to the region had malaria.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to successful recovery and reducing disease transmission. Some people have higher risks of developing and experiencing severe symptoms, including infants and children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and individuals with immunocompromised conditions.

Common treatment involves oral medication, though some cases may require injections. Standard therapies include a combination drug regimen based on artemisinin, considered the most effective option against the P. falciparum parasite; chloroquine, used against the P. vivax parasite in regions where it remains effective; and primaquine, often added to prevent relapses caused by the P. vivax and P. ovale parasites.

A Single-Dose Treatment Emerges

The challenge with these treatments is poor patient adherence. They involve multiple stages, and the full treatment course takes 14 days. Many people must travel far and miss work just to access treatment, and when a course goes uncompleted, the risk of relapse and continued spread of malaria increases.

To address this issue, Brazil started a rollout of pediatric tafenoquine, a single-dose treatment that has proven effective against relapsing malaria. Tafenoquine kills P. vivax parasites, which often hide and remain dormant in the body for years before symptoms appear.

P. vivax has the widest geographical reach of any malaria species and predominates across Latin America. While most malaria deaths in Africa are caused by P. falciparum, tafenoquine is a promising treatment and a potential path toward eliminating malaria in regions where P. vivax is dominant.

Thailand recently became the second country to adopt this single-dose treatment, approving pediatric tafenoquine in a step toward its own malaria elimination goals.

Since its first rollout, Brazil has also adopted tafenoquine for adults within its health system. More than 7,000 adults across different municipalities were treated between June 2024 and April 2025, and the country reported a 26.8% drop in malaria cases by the first quarter of 2025.

Global Efforts and Research

Eliminating malaria is a collective effort. In the United Kingdom, reports show that investment in treatment research boosts the country’s economy and creates jobs while saving lives. Brazil is still a long way from its goal of eliminating malaria by 2035, but continuous research, treatment and testing of tafenoquine represent a step closer to that goal, and to strengthening global health security overall.

– Marine Baume

Marine is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Digital Education in Developing Countries

Digital Education in Developing CountriesAccording to the Global Education Monitoring Report, developing countries are home to some 200 million young people ages 15 to 24 who have not completed primary school and need alternative pathways to gain basic skills for employment and prosperity. Low levels of education leave one in eight living below the poverty line, creating a need for digital education in developing countries.

Developing countries often have less diversified economies that rely on agriculture or raw materials such as timber, coal and oil. A country’s level of development is not determined by one singular test, but does look at the total value of goods and services a country provides. Underdeveloped and developing countries have lower Gross National Income (GNI), lower life expectancy and higher unemployment.

Digital Education in Developing Countries

Education develops skills at both intellectual and social levels. It promotes progress in health, climate resilience, sustainability and gender equality. Without these skills, people are less able to avoid poverty and pursue ecological development.

In lower- and middle-income countries, more than half of all 10-year-olds are unable to read and understand text. In 2024, there were 251 million children out of school, limiting the skills needed for labor markets. By increasing funds and resources, digital education in developing countries can help promote learning and provide children with greater chances of acquiring the skills they need.

South Africa has seen similar trends, with children under age 17, who make up 43.1% of the country’s population, among the groups most affected by poverty. According to Statistics South Africa, children remained the most vulnerable group in the country, with nearly half still living below the poverty line in 2023. Children living in rural areas face even greater challenges, as they often lack internet access and other essential educational resources.

Education remains one of the strongest investments a country can make. Research shows that in developing countries, every dollar invested in education generates $10 to $15 in economic growth. Investing in education can drive a country’s growth, increasing earning potential and decreasing poverty. Protecting children’s right to education aids local communities, creating more opportunities to thrive while promoting an equal chance at success.

Digital education supports teaching and learning through online courses, virtual classrooms and applications. Not only does this provide basic education, but it also helps improve digital skills that have become necessary amid the world’s digitalization. Online learning platforms create flexibility, making education more accessible around the world.

Current Developing Countries’ Initiatives

In 2020, Malaysia introduced its Digital Educational Learning Initiative (DELIMa), an online platform students can use to access applications, communication tools and learning resources. Malaysia’s Ministry of Education created the initiative to make learning more accessible while supporting the country’s move toward a more technology-influenced society.

DELIMa provides two programs: Future Skills For All (FS4A) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED). FS4A promotes digital development and reduces education inequalities by engaging learners through social media. GCED strengthens and grows a 21st-century mindset, encouraging learners to engage with communities on a local and global level.

South Africa has also embraced online education, increasing enrollment by more than 50% from 2020 to 2022. One of the country’s leading online learning platforms, CambriLearn, is now an Independent Examinations Board (IEB)-registered online school whose accredited courses meet benchmarks accepted by other schools worldwide.

Koa Academy has also contributed to the rise in South African education enrollment. The Koa Foundation’s initiative aims to expand high-quality education for communities facing education inequality. The foundation works to close the gap in educational opportunity by providing personalized learning that supports each student’s individual needs, easing challenges in performance and future opportunities. Current programs have supported 932 learners in strengthening their skills in mathematics and science.

In the Philippines, education is widely seen as a foundation for improving socioeconomic status, with many families believing that finishing school widens future opportunities. However, challenges include rising tuition costs and declining performance. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), more than a third of Filipino students fall into the bottom international quintile of the socioeconomic scale, the largest such share among the groups measured.

Online schooling in the Philippines has become one of the most convenient and accessible forms of education, tailoring learning to individual students. Another challenge facing education in the country is low student retention. There is a dramatic decrease from 56.7% of children ages 10 to 14 finishing primary school to only 42.5% reaching junior high school and just 31.5% completing senior high school.

The Rise of Education Enrollment

As digital education in developing countries becomes more widely embraced, population growth and demand for education have both increased. By improving accessibility and affordability, online education now plays a crucial role in students’ schooling. Countries such as India, Iran and Pakistan have seen 7 million students enroll in online learning programs.

India alone has approximately 35% of its population enrolled in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), ranking behind only the United States in enrollment. E-schools provide greater opportunities for those seeking education and employment, expanding access and improving employment prospects for millions.

With 32% of the global population lacking internet connection, expanding digital access will allow more citizens to receive quality education. Regardless of country, online education can serve as a tool for giving students an equal chance at learning and success.

– Jacquelyn Orr

Jacquelyn is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Social Contract Program and Poverty Reduction in Kyrgyzstan

Poverty Reduction in KyrgyzstanDespite recent economic growth, poverty remains a challenge in Kyrgyzstan, with 25.7% of the population living below the national poverty line.

To help vulnerable households achieve greater financial stability, the government initiated the Social Contract Program, which supports the creation of microbusinesses, small businesses that are usually operated by individuals or families and require relatively low startup costs. This article explores how the Social Contract Program is helping families launch microbusinesses, increase household incomes and support poverty reduction in Kyrgyzstan.

Social Contract Program

Established in 2022, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration launched Kyrgyzstan’s Social Contract Program. The program targets struggling households with viable business ideas. It provides benefits such as cash grants and a support package that includes agricultural training, financial literacy training, business plan development, social services and mentoring. Participants have used the grants to launch a variety of microbusinesses, including livestock breeding, dairy production, sewing services, beekeeping and greenhouse farming.

The Social Contract Program has significantly impacted the growth of microbusinesses. More than 35,226 families received a total of 3.5 billion KGS to start microbusinesses since its launch in 2022. The program’s continued expansion demonstrates its potential to create sustainable sources of income for vulnerable households across Kyrgyzstan.

Impact on Poverty Reduction

The Social Contract Program has expanded significantly since its launch, helping thousands of low-income households create sustainable sources of income. Before the program was implemented nationwide, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration piloted the initiative in two districts. The pilot supported 100 families, each receiving a grant of 100,000 KGS (approximately $1,200) to start a business (p. 6). By May 2022, 62 of the participating families had already begun generating income from their enterprises.

Following the success of the pilot program, the government expanded the initiative to 2,800 families in 2022 and 10,000 families in 2023 (p. 7-8). The program has continued to grow, reaching more than 35,226 families and distributing a total of 3.5 billion KGS to support the creation of microbusinesses.

The Social Contract Program has also expanded economic opportunities for women in Kyrgyzstan. In 2025, 10,902 of the program’s participants were women. Many of them have used grants to launch businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, trade and services, showing how the program helps women generate independent incomes and contribute to their households’ financial stability.

By providing vulnerable households with the resources needed to start businesses, the Social Contract Program is creating new opportunities for long-term economic growth and poverty reduction in Kyrgyzstan.

Looking Ahead

To fight economic instability, the Social Contract Program is helping vulnerable households across Kyrgyzstan build more stable futures through entrepreneurship. By providing grants, business training and mentorship, the program allows participants to establish microbusinesses and generate sustainable sources of income. Its rapid expansion and strong participation rates demonstrate its potential to improve livelihoods and create new economic opportunities. As the program continues to grow, it plays an increasingly important role in poverty reduction in Kyrgyzstan by helping families achieve greater financial independence and long-term stability.

– Michelle Kurniali

Michelle is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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GCC Humanitarian Aid: Gulf Nations Become Top 5 Global Donors

A group of young boys standing together, smiling outdoors. GCC Humanitarian AidThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries now rank first as humanitarian nations among the Global South. Between 2019 and 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait contributed more than $28 billion in official development assistance. According to Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC, member states provided nearly $14 billion in official humanitarian aid globally between 2020 and 2025. Increasing regional giving and a general shift in the desire to help have made the council countries the world’s fourth-largest humanitarian donor.

Member states have consistently ranked among the world’s top five donors for several years. Although regional giving was historically informal and discrete, the Gulf’s young generation of leaders now takes control of the countries’ philanthropic activities with a different approach. Rather than focusing on the symptoms of poverty, they prioritize systematic aid that addresses the root causes. The following initiatives highlight how this shift creates lasting advancements in developing nations.

Rebuilding Education in Yemen

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), based in Saudi Arabia, has delivered more than $13.3 billion in GCC humanitarian aid to 170 countries since 1996. One of its most impactful efforts focuses on schooling in Yemen through a long-standing partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Together, they rehabilitated 12 schools across the Aden, Lahj and Ta’iz governorates. This work is critical because the conflict in Yemen has destroyed nearly 2,800 schools, leaving 4.5 million children without access to education.

This project created a safe learning environment for more than 18,000 students and teachers across the three governorates. By prioritizing critical infrastructure, KSrelief and IOM provided the students with necessities such as clean water and hygiene services. Workers also installed solar energy systems to ensure uninterrupted learning in areas with electricity shortages. This focused aid builds on previous efforts that improved access for more than 17,500 students in the region.

Food Aid and Technology

In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) serves as an umbrella organization for over 30 initiatives. Established in 2015, MBRGI concentrates its work in sectors including health care, food security and education. The organization recently contributed 43 million AED to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support direct food aid for more than one million people affected by the crisis in Gaza. Since 2021, MBRGI has contributed a total of 230 million AED in humanitarian aid through its partnership with WFP. Through these projects, the organization provides life-saving food assistance and supports sustainable projects that address global hunger.

The region also uses technology to modernize relief efforts. The UAE recently partnered with the WFP to accelerate a digital school initiative in Southern Africa. This program has already successfully enrolled 60,000 students across eight countries. Meanwhile, the UAE-based Kalimat Foundation’s Ara Initiative provides GCC humanitarian aid by making Arabic literary content accessible to children with visual impairments. The program helps publishers with the technology to create interactive features including built-in bookmarks and navigation tools.

Healing Trauma Through Drama Therapy

Kuwait has also taken a lead in specialized humanitarian efforts through the Intisar Foundation. Princess Intisar Al Sabah founded the organization in 2017 to support Arab women affected by war and trauma. By using drama therapy to alleviate trauma, the foundation aims to heal one million Arab women by 2050.

From solar-powered classrooms in Yemen to Arab women healing through drama therapy, GCC humanitarian aid is reaching people across the region in effective ways. The combined efforts of these nations show a clear commitment to peace through development. By adopting strategic and collaborative models, member states ensure that aid helps communities thrive long-term. As these nations continue to expand their global reach, their solution-driven approach positions them as a leading partner in the fight against poverty.

– Nikki Rasoulian

Nikki is based in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Project AI Evidence: 3 Ways This Initiative Tackles Poverty

Project AI EvidencePeople often consider AI a groundbreaking technology that is set to reshape lives in the future, both near and far. In recent times, the technology has drawn increased scrutiny due to its harmful effects, such as its water consumption, disruption of the job market and myriad other issues.

One initiative seeking to reap the benefits of AI is Project AI Evidence (PAIE), which the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT launched in February 2026. The initiative connects governments, NGOs and tech companies with experts in fields such as economics at MIT. This article outlines three ways Project AI Evidence is working to lift people out of poverty.

1. Closing Gaps in the Classroom

Kenya’s education system faces deep challenges that make personalized learning especially valuable. According to UNICEF, the pupil-to-teacher ratio reaches 77 to one in counties such as Turkana, and roughly nine in 10 children from poor households fail to complete eighth grade. The country also contends with a teacher deficit of more than 90,000, overcrowded classrooms and stark regional inequalities in learning outcomes. Against this backdrop, tools that help teachers tailor instruction to individual students could reshape how millions of children learn.

The education social enterprise EIDU has developed an AI tool in Kenya that caters classroom teaching to the individual needs of students. The tool identifies gaps in student learning and flags areas that require more attention. EIDU’s platform combines structured pedagogy with digital personalized learning content, and the organization has agreements with 46 out of 47 Kenyan counties to provide the platform to all pre-primary schools, with a goal of reaching two million learners by 2026. In India, the NGO Pratham has incorporated AI into its evidence-informed “Teaching at the Right Level” approach to expand personalized learning. J-PAL researchers Daron Acemoglu, Iqbal Dhaliwal and Francisco Gallego will lead studies evaluating both cases, measuring key outcomes such as teacher productivity and student learning.

2. Classroom Gender Bias Reduction

In Italy, researchers are collaborating with the Ministry of Education to test whether AI tools can address classroom gender bias. The research targets gaps in student performance and the subconscious bias educators may hold toward their students based on gender. Project AI Evidence is studying two tools. One helps teachers predict student performance, while the other provides real-time feedback on the diversity of teachers’ classroom decisions.

3. Use of AI in Finding Job Opportunities

Returning to Kenya, the stakes for youth employment are considerable. The Federation of Kenya Employers reports that young people aged 15 to 34 make up roughly 35% of the population but face an unemployment rate of nearly 67%, about five times the national average. More than 1 million young Kenyans enter the labor market each year, many without the skills employers seek. The World Bank places the narrower youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 at 15.25% in 2025.

Jasmin Baier and J-PAL researcher Christian Meyer, in collaboration with NGOs Swahilipot and Tabiya, are evaluating a career guidance AI tool called Compass. Tabiya has launched Compass as an open-source chatbot that helps job seekers explore and articulate their skills, including those gained through informal work. The tool is designed to recognize capabilities from both formal and informal work experiences and to match job seekers with opportunities suited to their actual skill sets. Pilot programs are running in Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia, and more than 600 youth on Kenya’s coast have already received training in soft skills and AI through Swahilipot’s programs to boost job prospects. The J-PAL evaluation will measure how the tool changes job search strategies and employment outcomes. The research aims to aid career counsellors rather than replace them.

Why Poverty Is at the Heart of the Initiative

The three projects share a common thread. Each targets a country where poverty, education and employment reinforce one another. In Italy, absolute poverty reached 5.7 million people in 2024, according to the national statistics agency ISTAT. The divide is sharply regional. Households in absolute poverty reached 10.5% in the South compared with 6.5% in the Center, and ISTAT’s data show that the incidence falls significantly as the educational qualification of the household reference person rises. Italian children and young people have borne much of the burden, with more than 1.28 million minors in absolute poverty.

In Kenya, the picture is even starker. According to UNICEF, approximately 1.13 million children of primary school age are not enrolled in school, and hidden costs such as uniforms push many families out of the system entirely. A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education found that the financial burden of school uniforms was among the largest contributors to dropout decisions in Kenya. Access to higher education remains deeply constrained: the World Bank puts Kenya’s tertiary enrollment ratio at around 10% of the relevant age group, and many graduates still find their skills misaligned with labor market needs. Education and employment form a tight loop. Without schooling, young people struggle to find dignified work, and without work, families cannot break cycles of poverty that keep the next generation out of school.

By targeting both ends of this loop, personalizing classroom instruction and connecting job seekers to overlooked opportunities, Project AI Evidence attempts to address poverty at the points where AI tools can realistically intervene.

Conclusion

As AI expands its reach into most facets of modern society, research such as that conducted at Project AI Evidence aims to highlight the positive effects the technology can have on issues such as poverty alleviation through better education, reducing gender-based bias and surfacing job opportunities. Funders, including Google.org, Community Jameel, Canada’s International Development Research Centre, U.K. International Development and Amazon Web Services, provide strong financial backing to expand the research and potentially implement further tools.

J-PAL plans to expand its reach and connect with governments across the globe. The organization aims to achieve its goals responsibly through data-driven scientific measures. With tools such as these, policymakers can draw on new evaluations to address the myriad issues that pertain to global poverty in the years ahead.

– Jamie Noone

Jamie is based in Dublin, Ireland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovate Health Africa’s DHLSAT

Man using a tablet in a bright room, Innovate Health Africa initiative. DHLSATDigital health literacy in Africa is becoming as essential as a stethoscope. As African health care rapidly adopts electronic health records, telemedicine and mobile health applications, frontline health workers increasingly need digital skills to provide effective care. A new tool developed by Innovate Health Africa is helping them find out exactly where they stand and what to do next.

A Continent Adopting Digital Tools

Africa carries approximately 25% of the world’s disease burden but accounts for only 3% of the global health care workforce, according to McKinsey. To bridge that gap, African health care has increasingly turned to digital health tools. However, this adoption has revealed a critical challenge: many health workers lack the digital literacy needed to use those tools effectively.

Research conducted across sub-Saharan Africa found that low digital literacy levels and limited access to technology represent key challenges for health workers and patients alike when adopting and embracing digital health tools. In Ethiopia, studies found that only around half of health care workers demonstrated sufficient digital literacy levels, with gaps widening in rural and lower-income areas.

The consequences are significant. Addressing the health care worker shortage in sub-Saharan Africa could reduce the region’s disease burden by 35% and increase its GDP by an estimated $22 billion a year, except if those workers are equipped with the skills to operate in an increasingly digital health landscape.

What Is the DHLSAT?

Innovate Health Africa is an organization advancing equitable health care in Africa through innovation, research and workforce capacity development. It developed the Digital Health Literacy Self-Assessment Tool (DHLSAT) to address this gap.

The DHLSAT is a scientifically validated diagnostic framework developed to align with continental health workforce digital readiness efforts. It empowers frontline health care professionals across Africa to precisely map their digital competencies, identify critical literacy gaps and access tailored recommendations to accelerate digital readiness at the frontline.

How It Works

Health care professionals complete the DHLSAT assessment online and receive a personalized digital health literacy profile based on four proficiency tiers: Practitioner, Explorer, Innovator and Expert. Each tier reflects a different level of digital health competency ranging from foundational awareness to advanced innovation capability.

Following the assessment, the tool generates personalized recommendations and scientifically validated insights to guide each user’s digital health literacy growth. Users can download their digital health literacy profile report and share it with employers, recruiters, academic institutions or other relevant organizations.

The DHLSAT covers key areas of digital health competency, including data governance, bioinformatics, digital health’s role in climate change and the broader digital health landscape across Africa, giving health workers a comprehensive view of both their strengths and the areas that require development.

DHLSAT’s Impact

The response from health care professionals who have used the tool reflects its practical value. One user, Dr. Alex O., described the experience as opening a new perspective on developing digital skills. Another user, Kofo Kola O., described the profile as clearly articulating both strengths and weaknesses in a way that felt comforting, exciting and inspiring. A community health worker, Sarah T.S., noted that with Innovate Health Africa’s guidance, her community health project now reaches more than 10,000 people monthly.

Building the Foundation for Digital Readiness

The DHLSAT does not operate alone. Innovate Health Africa works with more than 30 trusted partners in more than six countries and operates across three core portfolios: workforce capacity development, implementation research and innovation. Furthermore, the organization designs and delivers competency-based training in digital health, generates scientific evidence on how digital health is being experienced across African health systems and works with public and private health institutions to design and implement community-shaped digital health solutions.

The DHLSAT fits within a broader strategy to ensure that Africa’s digital health transformation is led by informed, capable health workers instead of being undermined by a skills gap that goes undiagnosed and unaddressed.

Looking Ahead

Africa’s digital health sector is growing rapidly, and the need for a skilled, digitally literate health workforce has never been more necessary. By giving health care professionals the ability to assess their own digital readiness, receive personalized guidance and track their progress, the DHLSAT represents a practical, scalable solution to one of the continent’s most pressing workforce challenges.

– Joy Kohol

Joy is based in Muncie, IN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash