Institutional development and poverty reduction

The persistence of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be attributed to a single cause; its roots are multiple, complex and inter-related. Institutions, as formal organizations, informal community groups and networks, or the rules and traditions that guide the actions which affect the lives of the poor, are influential, however. They may help preserve the status quo or they may be a powerful force for change – and their role is crucial in the implementation of poverty reduction programmes and policies. The focus of this paper is the development of organizations to enhance their capacity to include the rural poor

Agricultural sector investment programmes - Experience in Africa

Reducing poverty in Africa remains the principal development challenge for donors and governments. Despite the considerable efforts and resources directed to reducing the numbers of the poor, poverty is still widespread and the development community has struggled to find the appropriate interventions which effectively target the poor. Recent developments in addressing poverty in the agricultural sector have been based on a deeper understanding of the nature of poverty and of gender related issues of poverty. Deeper analysis of the concept of poverty should enable better identification, and thereby targeting, of the poor; a more effective understanding of the needs of the poor; and better monitoring of the effects of programmes and policies on the poor