Tag Archive for: Poverty in Kenya

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Textile Recycling in Kenya is Creating Green Jobs

Textile Recycling in KenyaTextile waste is becoming a growing environmental challenge in many countries, including Kenya. Every year, thousands of tons of used clothing and fabric waste end up in landfills or are burned, contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. According to World Bank data, close to 40% of Kenya’s population lives below the national poverty line. It is within this context that a growing number of organizations demonstrate that textile recycling in Kenya can be a driver of employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for low-income households. By collecting discarded clothing, recycling textiles into new products and supporting small businesses, these organizations are creating green jobs while helping to build a more circular economy.

The Role of UNEP

The United Nations Environment Programme highlights that the fashion and textile industry creates significant environmental challenges because of high resource use and increasing textile waste. Circular economy approaches, which focus on keeping materials in use for longer through reuse, repair and recycling, are becoming important solutions for reducing waste and supporting sustainable development.

Africa Collect Textiles Creates Jobs

Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) is one of Kenya’s organizations working to develop a circular fashion system. The company collects unwanted clothing and footwear through collection points and partnerships before sorting materials for reuse, upcycling and recycling. According to a 2025 profile of the organization by AMI, ACT has created more than 120 direct and indirect jobs so far, mainly for women, and can source up to two tons of unsold clothing a day from Nairobi’s Gikomba Market, East Africa’s largest second-hand clothing hub, recovering uniforms, off-cuts and other materials that would otherwise be burned or dumped. The same report notes that ACT is now working to install mechanical recycling equipment, with a longer-term goal of scaling up local fiber recovery across the continent.

ACT’s first Impact Report explains that the organization has developed textile collection, sorting and upcycling systems while focusing on poverty reduction, responsible consumption and job creation, particularly for women. The report highlights that ACT’s work creates both direct and indirect employment opportunities within the textile recovery process.

According to a profile by Start-Up Africa, ACT’s holistic approach aims to serve low-income communities directly, giving women and youth in Nairobi’s informal economy a steady income tied to a growing industry. UNEP also highlights ACT as part of its efforts to support sustainable textile practices in Kenya. The organization has transformed textile waste into products such as rugs, toys and yarn, demonstrating how discarded materials can become valuable resources.

Agricultural Waste Into Sustainable Fashion

While some organizations focus on recovering used textiles, others are creating new approaches to sustainable fashion by using alternative materials. Rethread Africa is one example of a Kenyan initiative that transforms agricultural waste into environmentally friendly textile materials. Impact Hub Nairobi reports that Rethread Africa uses maize husks, a byproduct of agricultural production, to create sustainable textile alternatives. According to Impact Hub, the initiative worked with 35 smallholder farmers during a pilot program in Homa Bay County and plans to expand this to more than 100 farmers within the next two years, giving them a new source of income from agricultural waste that would otherwise be discarded. A separate account of the initiative published by What Design Can Do reports that the resulting fabric uses 99% less water than cotton, cuts carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by roughly 80%, and has helped participating smallholder farmers increase their income by around 40%.

This income boost matters because rural poverty in Kenya runs well above the national average. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reported an overall rural poverty rate of 42.9% in 2022, compared with 33.2% in urban areas, with smallholder farming households among those most exposed. By giving farmers an additional buyer for material that used to be worthless, Rethread Africa targets income growth in exactly the population where poverty is most concentrated.

The organization’s approach shows how innovation can connect agriculture, fashion and employment. By developing new materials and supporting sustainable production, Rethread Africa helps create opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities while reducing reliance on traditional textile materials.

TakaTaka Solutions Builds Kenya’s Recycling Economy

TakaTaka Solutions shows the same principle at work in Kenya’s broader waste economy. The company sorts collected waste into more than 40 categories and recycles around 90% of what it receives. According to a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) case study, the company was deliberately designed to create jobs for youth from lower-income areas of Nairobi, offering steadier work than informal waste-picking. Though its focus is plastic and household waste rather than textiles specifically, TakaTaka illustrates the broader potential for Kenya’s recycling sector to create jobs while addressing environmental challenges.

Conclusion

Textile recycling in Kenya demonstrates that waste can become a resource. Through collection, reuse and upcycling, organizations are creating new opportunities for employment while addressing environmental challenges. According to the International Labour Organization, green industries create new jobs while helping countries transition toward more sustainable economic models. While recycling alone will not eliminate poverty in a country where, per World Bank figures, close to 40% of the population lives below the national poverty line, these initiatives show how green businesses create employment, support entrepreneurship and encourage sustainable development. With continued investment in circular economy solutions, textile recycling in Kenya is helping build a future where waste becomes a resource and communities gain new opportunities for economic growth.

– Abisola Oladipupo

Abisola is based in Hatfield, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Water ATMs in Kenya Are Expanding Access to Clean Water

Water ATMs in KenyaFor millions of people, access to clean drinking water remains one of the biggest barriers to good health and economic opportunity. In Kenya, only about 68% of the population has access to basic drinking water services, meaning nearly one in three people still lack even a basic source of safe drinking water, with access dropping to just 56% in rural areas. Water ATMs in Kenya are helping change that reality by providing affordable and safe drinking water through prepaid smart cards and mobile payments. These automated systems reduce dependence on unsafe water sources while improving transparency, lowering costs and strengthening local water services. As organizations, local utilities and government partners continue expanding the technology, thousands of Kenyan families benefit from more reliable access to clean water.

A Smarter Way to Access Water

Unlike traditional water kiosks that rely on cash payments and attendants, water ATMs in Kenya allow users to purchase only the amount of water they need using prepaid smart cards or mobile money services. The automated systems operate throughout the day, reducing long lines while making water available whenever communities need it. Digital monitoring also allows operators to track water use, revenue and maintenance needs in real time. This helps reduce water theft and improve financial accountability.

Grundfos developed its AQtap water ATM technology in partnership with organizations including World Vision, county governments and Safaricom. In rural Kenyan communities, more than 20,000 people now receive clean drinking water through 60 automated water ATMs that provide a sustainable source of funding for ongoing maintenance and repairs.

Expanding Long-Term Water Security

As droughts and rapid urbanization place increasing pressure on Kenya’s water resources, innovative technologies become essential for long-term water security. Water ATMs create a sustainable system where affordable user payments help fund maintenance rather than relying solely on outside aid. For example, in Kwale County, the Kenya RAPID program introduced prepaid water ATMs managed by local water service providers. Because every transaction is recorded electronically, communities can clearly see how water fees are collected and used. This increased transparency and strengthened trust between residents and water providers while reducing opportunities for financial mismanagement.

With continued support from organizations such as Grundfos, Oxfam, local utilities and county governments, water ATMs in Kenya demonstrate how simple technology can improve public health and expand reliable access to clean water. Their growing success offers a practical example of how innovation can help communities build a healthier and more sustainable future.

The success of water ATMs in Kenya shows that innovation can help address global poverty. Expanding access to clean water starts with supporting proven solutions like water ATMs in Kenya. Continued investment and awareness will allow more communities to gain reliable access to safe drinking water. Together, these efforts can improve health and create lasting opportunities for future generations.

– Masa Qasim

Masa is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Mangrove Restoration Reduces Poverty in Kenya

Poverty in KenyaPoverty continues to affect millions of people in Kenya, particularly in rural and coastal communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. According to the World Bank, about one-third of Kenyans live below the national poverty line. Along Kenya’s coastline, many families rely on fishing and small-scale agriculture, making them especially vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. Mangrove restoration in Kenya is helping address these challenges by protecting coastal ecosystems while creating new economic opportunities for local communities.

Why Mangroves Matter

For many families living along Kenya’s coast, healthy mangrove forests directly support daily life. Fishermen depend on mangroves because they provide nursery habitats where young fish and shellfish can grow before moving into open waters. When mangrove forests decline due to deforestation or coastal development, fish populations decrease, making it more difficult for families to earn a living. Restoring these forests helps protect both the environment and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Community-Led Restoration Creates New Opportunities

One of Kenya’s best-known restoration efforts is Mikoko Pamoja, a community-led conservation project located in Gazi Bay, a coastal village in southeastern Kenya, that launched in 2010. The initiative protects 117 hectares of mangrove forest while restoring more than 8,000 mangrove trees each year. Instead of relying only on outside funding, the project generates revenue by selling blue carbon credits, which allow organizations and businesses to financially support projects that store carbon while protecting natural ecosystems. The project reinvests this income into community programs that improve daily life for local residents.

The project has produced measurable benefits beyond environmental conservation. Revenue from carbon credits has helped provide clean water to approximately 3,500 people, educational materials for more than 700 schoolchildren and funding for roads and other community infrastructure. According to Mikoko Pamoja, local residents also participate directly in mangrove restoration by collecting seeds, maintaining tree nurseries and monitoring forest health, creating paid employment opportunities while protecting the environment.

Reducing Poverty in Kenya Through Conservation

Mangrove restoration supports local economies in several ways. Community members earn income by collecting mangrove propagules, raising seedlings in nurseries and participating in restoration and monitoring activities. Healthy mangrove forests also improve fish populations, helping sustain the fisheries that thousands of coastal families depend on for food and income.

The project demonstrates that environmental conservation and economic development can work together. By protecting natural resources, communities strengthen their fishing industry while generating additional revenue through blue carbon financing. Although long-term funding and climate change continue to present challenges, community participation has helped keep restoration efforts active for more than a decade.

Looking Ahead

Mangrove restoration in Kenya demonstrates that nature-based solutions can improve both environmental and economic outcomes. Community-led initiatives such as Mikoko Pamoja protect biodiversity, strengthen coastal resilience and generate funding for education, clean water and local development. As the changing climate continues to threaten vulnerable communities, investments in mangrove restoration offer a sustainable way to reduce poverty in Kenya while protecting the coastline for future generations. The project’s success also shows how local communities can lead conservation efforts while improving livelihoods, providing a model that other coastal regions can adapt to meet their own environmental and economic challenges.

– Violette Bardouil

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

Photo: Unsplash

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How a Twice-Yearly Shot Is Transforming HIV Prevention in Kenya

HIV prevention in KenyaIn February 2026, Kenya received its first shipment of 21,000 doses of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable requiring only two shots a year, marking a major step forward in HIV prevention in Kenya. The drug recorded more than 96% effectiveness at preventing HIV in clinical trials, one of the most significant advances in global health since daily oral medication became the standard prevention tool.

HIV and Poverty in Kenya

Nearly 45.5% of Kenyans live below the international poverty line of $3 a day, according to the World Bank. For low-income communities, HIV carries consequences that extend well beyond health. At the household level, the cost of care depletes savings, reduces economic productivity and can trap families in cycles of intergenerational poverty. Preventing new infections is therefore not only a public health priority, it is an economic one.

Why a Twice-Yearly Shot Matters

For years, the primary tool for preventing HIV in people at high risk had been oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a pill that must be taken every day. Consistent use is a genuine challenge for many people, particularly in communities where irregular health care access and demanding daily routines make routine medication difficult to maintain. In many communities, carrying daily HIV medication can lead others to assume a person is HIV-positive, a stigma that drives some people to stop taking the pill altogether.

Lenacapavir addresses this challenge directly. A single injection provides six months of protection, removing the need for daily pills. The World Health Organization endorsed the drug in July 2025, making it the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP option to be officially recommended for global use.

Kenya’s Rollout: Fast and Phased

Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed its regulatory review and registered lenacapavir for national use in January 2026. The first consignment of 21,000 doses arrived in Nairobi on Feb. 17, 2026, delivered through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund coordinated procurement and negotiated access pricing, while the Ministry of Health managed regulatory approval and national distribution strategy. An additional 12,000 doses followed in April, and the U.S. government pledged a further 25,000 to support early implementation.

The Ministry of Health launched Phase 1 in March 2026, targeting 152 health facilities across 15 high-burden counties, with an estimated 58,000 individuals expected to receive the injection in the first phase alone. Two additional phases are planned, with the aim of reaching nationwide coverage by 2027. Health officials say this milestone reflects the country’s readiness to integrate modern prevention tools through its Universal Health Coverage framework.

Making It Affordable

Cost has historically been one of the biggest barriers to equitable HIV prevention in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa. Lenacapavir carries a global list price exceeding $42,000 per patient per year, but the Ministry of Health is offering it free of charge at selected public health facilities. For the health system, the estimated annual cost is approximately $60 per patient. This dramatic price reduction was made possible through licensing agreements and Global Fund procurement support.

Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, described the moment as one requiring urgency and ambition. “Long-acting lenacapavir could reshape HIV prevention by overcoming the structural challenges that have long constrained uptake,” Sands said. He added that the task is now to translate scientific progress into rapid, broad and equitable access.

The Road Ahead

Kenya has approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV. The national rollout directly supports prevention of mother-to-child transmission, a stated priority of the Ministry of Health, with the overarching goal of ensuring every child born in Kenya is HIV-free.

Generic versions of lenacapavir are expected to reach markets by 2027 at an estimated yearly cost of $40 per person. This development could open access far beyond Kenya’s borders. The phased, data-driven structure of Kenya’s rollout has positioned the country as a model for how HIV prevention can evolve to be accessible and equitable and for how protecting public health and reducing poverty can go hand in hand.

– Gonzalo Rodriguez Da Fonte Martins

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

Photo: Pexels

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3 Ways ‘Moving The Goalposts’ is Empowering Girls in Kenya

Empowering Girls in KenyaEmpowerment means having the confidence, resources and opportunities to make decisions about one’s own life. However, many women in Kenya still face significant barriers to achieving this due to persistent poverty, unequal access to education, restrictive gender norms and limited economic opportunities. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that in rural areas of Kenya only 27.6% of women are considered empowered, while girls are much less likely than boys to complete their education due to factors such as poverty, child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

To address these challenges, the nonprofit organization Moving The Goalposts (MTG) has been using football as a tool for social change since 2001. Founded in Kilifi County, MTG describes itself as “a movement powered by sport, community and purpose.” Through its sports, education and health programs, the organization has reached over 50,000 girls and young women ages 9 to 25 across Kenya. Here are three ways Moving The Goalposts is empowering girls in Kenya.

Building Female Leadership Skills

Moving The Goalposts empowers girls by developing them into leaders within their own communities. The football program trains girls as peer mentors, referees and coaches, giving them the opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills on and off the pitch. There are 6,000 women in the program serving as mentors, supporting younger girls and acting as role models in their communities. These leadership abilities build confidence and encourage girls to use their voice to advocate for their rights in education and community development, as well as improving their future employment opportunities.

This is especially important as gender inequality persists in Kenya. Women’s opportunities take a hit after an early marriage or pregnancy, closing the door to higher education. A lack of affordable, quality child care worsens this cycle. The World Bank states that about 31% of 19-year-old girls are already married or have children, a figure that jumps to 49% among the poorest. Helping girls stay engaged in education is therefore key to MTG’s mission.

Supporting Education and School Retention

Education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, yet in Kenya many women leave school without completing their education. According to the World Bank, in Kenya’s poorest areas, 51.3% of women have no education, compared to a national average of 17%. The MTG education program aims to reduce the number of girls who drop out by supporting their educational development, from primary to secondary school and even through vocational training. MTG has a 90% transition rate from primary to secondary school through its academic program and has supported the education of more than 5,000 girls.

To achieve this, MTG provides essential resources such as school fees and learning materials, allowing girls from low-income backgrounds to continue their education. This also gives them the opportunity to increase their future earning potential and improve outcomes for their families, helping break the cycle of poverty.

Improving Health Knowledge

The program considers access to health care and knowledge a fundamental right and trains peer mentors to educate girls on women’s health. MTG has provided these services to more than 50,000 girls and young women. This support is particularly important as teenage pregnancy remains common among girls living in poorer communities; in Kenya, 21% of women living in the poorest communities reported having experienced a teenage pregnancy. By providing accurate health information and peer support, MTG allows girls to make informed decisions about their futures. Better health outcomes can help girls stay in school, pursue employment opportunities and improve their long-term economic prospects.

Empowering Girls in Kenya

As Kenya continues working toward greater gender equality, organizations such as Moving The Goalposts demonstrate how sport can serve as a powerful tool for social and economic development. By helping girls develop leadership qualities, stay in school and make informed choices about their health and futures, the organization is creating opportunities that extend far beyond the football field. In doing so, MTG is helping thousands of young women in Kenya build brighter futures while contributing to the long-term fight against poverty.

– Emma Wheeler

Emma is based in Valencia, Spain and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of USAID Cuts on an HIV-Prevention Program in Kenya

HIV-Prevention Program in KenyaDREAMS CONNECT is a project that aims to educate and empower young women and girls in Kenya through a range of programs and group-based activities that promote sexual health and safety awareness, as well as creating awareness of sexual harassment and violence among women. The name ‘DREAMS’ is an acronym for ‘Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AS-free, Mentored and Safe lives.’ Here is information about DREAMS including how USAID cuts are affecting this HIV-prevention program in Kenya.

Vision

Initiated in October 2021, the project was one of many Hope Worldwide Kenya (HWWK) programs in Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi funded by the U.S. dating back to 2003, with the aim of preventing HIV among thousands of vulnerable youth, particularly adolescent girls and young women, through a variety of care and support programs. In a documentary commissioned by PBS NewsHour in the U.S., journalists spoke to many young women who came through the program. They tell of being educated on simple but potentially life-saving interventions, such as how to use a condom, in addition to compassionate reminders that each of them has inherent value and worth.

USAID Closure

DREAMS, however, despite its proven successes, is facing an existential crisis due to the shuttering of USAID by the Trump administration in early 2025, which left staff suddenly unemployed and vital funding withdrawn, endangering not just DREAMS but thousands of humanitarian programs worldwide.

Both statistical evidence and personal accounts demonstrate the success of DREAMS’s endeavors. Almost all of the 66,000 women and girls who came through DREAMS remained HIV-free during the three-year program. Stacy Njeri, an 18-year-old woman from Mwiki, Kasarani Sub-county in Nairobi, describes how the program introduced her to a Youth Savings and Loans Association which allowed her to start her own nail salon, a decision she says “changed her life.”

With many women’s enrolment cut short due to foreign aid cuts, however, the concern now is that HIV cases among young women may begin to rise again, and that the cuts will discontinue the salutary work that the organization carries out, not only in preventing the deadly disease, but also in caring for young women and girls and equipping them with vitally important life skills and encouragement. PBS NewsHour’s documentary already reported that some women began to turn to prostitution as a means of supporting themselves following the end of DREAMS.

Future

Yet, the three-year stint of this HIV-prevention program in Kenya has shown that the methods used are highly successful and potentially far-reaching; it is only a matter of repairing the broken aid infrastructure. With the decline of USAID, it remains to be seen whether other countries will step in to fill the humanitarian void. Other wealthy nations like the U.K., France and Germany all responded to the U.S. change in policy by cutting back their own foreign aid expenditure, with the U.K. reducing its ODA (Official Development Assistance Budget) from 0.7% to 0.3% of Gross National Income in order to bolster defense spending. 

It may take some time for a viable solution for DREAMS to materialize, but what the scaling back of U.S. foreign aid has shown is just what kind of valuable and quietly empowering programs in Kenya and around the world are being threatened by an increasingly volatile global humanitarian landscape.

– Tomás Quinn

Tomás is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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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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How the Boda-boda Industry in Kenya Creates Opportunity

More Than a Motorcycle: Local Perspectives on How Kenya’s Boda Boda Industry Creates Opportunity Across many developing economies, poverty is not always transformed by massive infrastructure projects or billion-dollar investments, but instead by simple, accessible solutions that change everyday life. In Kenya, one of those solutions has been the rise of the boda-boda industry. What began as a practical form of transport has evolved into a significant economic force. To explore this transformation, The Borgen Project spoke with Nairobi local Gurkiran Munde about the growing boda-boda industry in Kenya and how it is shaping daily life and economic opportunity.

According to a Viffa Consult report, a Kenyan-based management consultancy that supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), boda-bodas now form a critical backbone of Kenya’s transport system, generating KES 660 billion annually.

Munde captured the industry’s everyday importance, telling The Borgen Project that boda-bodas deliver food, drinks, medicine, and almost everything one can think of. Beyond their practical advantages — such as enabling businesspeople to bypass traffic and reach meetings on time — these bikes have also created a series of opportunities for the social fabric of Kenya.

The Transport Shift

According to Munde, the boda-boda industry in Kenya has become essential to daily life because it provides an affordable and practical transportation option in a country where car ownership remains inaccessible for many. A 2023 Statista survey revealed the scale of Kenya’s car ownership gap, with only 7% of respondents reporting they owned a car.

Data from The Global Economy reported Kenya’s average 2021 vehicle price index at 82.99, compared to a global average of 100. While this figure may appear relatively low, vehicle ownership in Kenya remains expensive in the context of average incomes, helping to explain why boda-bodas have become such a popular alternative.

As a result, boda-bodas have emerged as a far more realistic financial option for many citizens. Unlike the small 7% of Kenyans who own cars, the country’s estimated 4 million boda riders ensure that mobility is not restricted to a wealthy minority. By providing cheaper transport, boda-bodas allow more people to reach essential services without being limited by the high costs associated with car ownership. In doing so, the industry has expanded everyday opportunities across many communities in Kenya.

The Employment Shift

Although boda-bodas have increased opportunities for many Kenyans, it is the country’s youth who appear to have benefited the most. Youth unemployment in Kenya has risen sharply in recent years, increasing from 7.3% in 2016 to 15.2% in 2025. This rise has left a significant portion of Kenya’s young labor force without stable employment. Young people make up more than 35% of the country’s population, making youth unemployment a major economic challenge.

Against this backdrop, the gradual expansion of the boda-boda industry in Kenya has created an important new route into employment. Munde told The Borgen Project that the industry’s low barriers to entry make it far more accessible than many forms of formal employment, with the main requirement being obtaining a driver’s license.

Research conducted by Too Zakayo Kibet, a student from the University of Nairobi, further highlights the industry’s economic potential. A study of 206 youth boda-boda drivers found that 94% of those surveyed were able to meet their basic needs through the work, while 88% reported that their financial status had improved as a direct result of employment in the industry. Furthermore, 63% of the youth riders were also able to build savings, demonstrating that the work can generate not only short-term income but also long-term financial security. An additional 67.7% reported an overall increase in their purchasing power after entering the boda-boda sector.

These findings demonstrate the strong relationship between the boda-boda industry and economic opportunity in Kenya. Increased income from motorbike employment can play a significant role in alleviating poverty by allowing individuals to move beyond day-to-day survival. When riders are able to consistently meet their basic needs and generate savings, they and their households gain greater financial stability and resilience.

Looking Ahead

As Munde told The Borgen Project, boda-bodas have created a whole new avenue for employment, especially for young people. By reducing reliance on cars and lowering barriers to entry into work, the boda-boda industry has opened economic doors for Kenyans, demonstrating that accessible, low-cost solutions can drive meaningful poverty reduction at scale.

– Sophia Lupo

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

Photo: Flickr

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8 Facts About The World Bank’s New Water Forward Program

New Water Forward ProgramApproximately 4 billion people worldwide are victims of water scarcity. To combat this, the World Bank recently announced its newest program, “Water Forward,” in collaboration with many other multilateral developmental banks. This initiative will target assisting water-stressed nations, particularly in Asia and Africa, by limiting water leakage, modernizing national irrigation systems, modernizing the nation’s water usage data collection and improving how wastewater is reused. Here are eight facts about the new program.

Background

The Water Forward initiative aims to improve water access for 1 billion people worldwide. The World Bank has predicted their independent investment in Water Forward should improve water access for over 400 million people by 2030. To supplement this, other multilateral developmental banks have also pledged their resources to access an additional 600 million people. An impact this size would provide an incredible amount of improvement for the world’s water-scarce populations.

Water Forward looks to expand and protect 1.7 billion water-related jobs. The increased investment in national large-scale water projects will not only create new local jobs in water-related sectors, but also improve the conditions of existing professions. Within affected nations, job growth is expected in sectors like agriculture, water system manufacturing, energy and maintenance.

Investment

Many different developmental banks are helping with funding the Water Forward program. The new initiative displays great examples of international collaboration, with a total of 10 multilateral developmental banks involved. Some of these banks include the Asian Development Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development, among others.

The initiative aims to double worldwide private investment in water. Public investment dominates capital expenditure in water, with a whopping 90% of capital investment coming from governments. However, the World Bank claims that it believes private investment can be increased to 20% within the next 10 years. They claim this is partly due to tightening government budgets and a rising need for water pricing to reflect its essentiality to life. To attract private investment, the World Bank will seek to create safer water projects with the potential for higher returns.

Water Compacts

Fourteen countries have already announced their water compacts under the initiative. Water compacts exist as commitments from nations to the Water Forward plan, with outlines for how they can best help improve water availability within their respective nations. The 14 nations are Albania, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. These commitments symbolize the willingness of these nations to follow the World Bank’s guidelines and improve water availability in their nations.

Examples

Kenya started their expanded water access program 13 years ago and looks to expand it with the help of the World Bank. Kenya has been implementing the World Bank-financed “Water Security and Climate Resilience Project” since 2013. This program has increased access to irrigation water and enhanced institutional frameworks for water security. As of 2025, thousands of farmers have gained access to improved irrigation systems as a result of the program.

Uzbekistan’s Water Forward compact aims to provide water security for 3.8 million people and improve irrigation access for 2.2 million people. Uzbekistan, one of the most recent issuers of a water compact, has pledged to install water-saving technology within 1.1 million hectares of land, which should reduce irrigation losses by 25%. Furthermore, it hopes to modernize almost 11,000 km of the main canal, digitalize farm water intake points, and achieve 100% coverage of clean drinking water and modern sanitation by 2030.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Amparo Confidence Sockets and Kenyan Amputees

Kenyan AmputeesIn Kenya, as of 2025, approximately 0.9% of the population is living with disabilities. Of that population, 42% experience disabilities related to motor function and 80% live in more rural parts of Kenya. Due to the nature of Kenya’s public health facilities, which often lack adequate equipment to provide more adapted amenities for Kenyans with mobility-related disabilities, a large number of Kenyans live with only the most basic levels of aid. 

Despite this, technology being deployed in the form of the Amparo Confidence Socket in Kenya has the capacity to modernize and revolutionize the lives of Kenyan amputees.

Causes of Amputations in Kenya

Around the world, amputations happen often for a plethora of reasons. In Kenya, a disproportionate number of amputations occur due to many different factors. For instance, in Kenya, around 550,000 people are living with diabetes, with more than one in three undiagnosed.

When diabetes is not managed, which can be the case when someone is living with undiagnosed diabetes, amputations may end up being the only form of treatment. Another factor is amputations related to trauma. In Kenya, 35.7% of amputations are a result of trauma-related incidents. 

Part of the high number of trauma-related incidents includes poor road infrastructure, which has the capacity to cause accidents weekly. Even with the different reasons as to how Kenya, as a country, ended up with a high portion of its population requiring aid in relation to their motor-related disabilities, there are still many barriers to achieving access to technology that could help. These barriers limit the availability and use of such technology.

The Amparo Confidence Socket

Designed for individuals with amputations in areas that often lack resources, the Amparo Confidence Socket was created as an “off-the-shelf prosthetic socket technology.” This allows for a more streamlined fitting process and increased portability. It makes the technology accessible to more rural communities.

The company Amparo, in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub at University College London, deployed the Confidence Socket in Kenya as part of a clinical trial. The aim was to evaluate its effectiveness. It was later found that participants in the study had improved mobility after being fitted with the Confidence Socket. 

Despite some later complaints about decreased comfort, the Amparo Confidence Socket notably increased users’ access to prosthetic services. It also supported improved mobility outcomes.

Going Forward

The Amparo Confidence Socket has the capacity to truly revolutionize the experience of amputees in Kenya. There is still room for improvement in the comfort and long-term use of the Amparo Confidence Socket in Kenya. However, its introduction, along with its flexibility in transportation and fit, has the potential to revolutionize the lives of Kenyan amputees.

– Bernice Attawia 

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

Photo: Unsplash