Sun-Powered Farming: Ethiopian Farmers Save Thousands by Switching to Solar Irrigation
Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia are slashing their farming costs, increasing food production and protecting the environment thanks to solar-powered irrigation systems introduced through the Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable and Inclusive Development programme, led by the international NGO Farm Africa. In a country famous for its “13 months of sunshine”, Ethiopia has enormous potential to harness […]
What Does a Human-First, AI-Enabled Approach to Fighting Poverty Look Like?
For much of this year, we’ve been focusing with our community on the question: “How do we stay ambitious in the context of crisis and constraint?” With needs rising and budgets falling, AI is opening up new ways to do more with less. Yet AI is not neutral. As with all technologies, it offers opportunities […]
Why African Agriculture Must Prepare for its Nana Benz Moment
African smallholder farming is facing a succession crisis that threatens the loss of generations of accumulated knowledge. Research shows that economically aspiring younger generations are seeking an exit route from being trapped in rural poverty and limited prospects. The challenges faced by smallholders indicate a systemic fragility across many sectors, including education, labour markets and […]
Digital Inclusion Isn’t a Technology Challenge. It’s a People Challenge.
After spending several days with teachers, police officers, community organisations and older learners all involved in our work in Romania in May, I came away with a simple conviction. When it comes to social impact, we spend a lot of time talking about strategy, innovation and scale. But the difference is rarely strategy. It is […]
The $1 Trillion Blind Spot: Redirecting Climate Finance to Women-Led Solutions.
Women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are already delivering climate solutions across critical sectors, from clean energy and food systems to waste, water, and digital services. Yet despite more than USD 1 trillion flowing into climate finance each year, only a small fraction reaches these businesses, and less than 5% supports adaptation (Climate Policy Initiative […]