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Unlocking Data-Driven Policymaking: A Digitalisation Programme in Rwanda Shows the Impact of Improved Storage on Agriculture Prices — And the Value of Digital Data
Transporting produce in Rwanda is difficult, and the country’s storage infrastructure is limited. To better understand these challenges and their potential solutions, Cenfri has been analysing the country’s agriculture sector as part of its efforts to support digitalisation and data-led decision-making in government. Olivia Rutayisire and Pieter Janse van Vuuren at Cenfri share insights from this work, exploring how digital data can impact government initiatives that aim to support farmers and optimise agricultural markets.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
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Avoiding the Resource Curse: Challenges — And Progress — in Harnessing ‘Green Mineral’ Wealth for the Benefit of Developing Countries
The growth of renewable energy has led to skyrocketing demand for the “green minerals” used in constructing and powering clean energy technologies. But as Leslie Tsai at the Chandler Foundation explains, despite this demand, the countries that are rich in green minerals and other natural resources are often among the poorest in the world — a paradox often called the “resource curse.” She explores how businesses, governments and other key stakeholders can ensure that these countries benefit from their natural resource wealth.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
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Press Release: Biden-Harris Administration Invests $2.7 Billion to Improve and Expand Rural Electric Infrastructure
The funding includes $613 million to improve grid security and reliability.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- North America
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India Cuts Internet Around New Delhi as Protesting Farmers Clash With Police
Internet access remained blocked Monday in several districts of a state bordering India's capital following violent weekend clashes between police and farmers protesting controversial agricultural reforms.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Tags
- public policy
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Insurance in the Age of COVID-19: The Pandemic Highlights the Need for a New Approach
With much of the world on lockdown due to COVID-19, many businesses are closing down – either temporarily or permanently – with devastating effects on individual welfare and entire economies. This has amplified the importance of insurance, says Kate Rinehart-Smit at Cenfri. She explores how the sector can make a greater impact – not only on the resilience of businesses and individuals, but on broader economic development.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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Disconnects Between Minigrid Policy Stakeholders Keep Sector’s Bankability at Bay
Minigrids have yet to scale on a trajectory reflective of their massive potential.
- Categories
- Energy, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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From Financial Inclusion To Inclusive Finance: The Power of Frameworks To Catalyse Change
In this age of information, we increasingly rely on data to inform our decisions. But as Amrik Heyer at FSD Kenya points out, the utility of data for guiding policy and investment depends on the paradigms and frameworks which influence our thinking. She discusses the power of frameworks in shaping research and informing financial inclusion policy and investment, using the example of the FinAccess survey in Kenya.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Technology
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Viewpoint: Can Economics Trump Politics To Usher in Agricultural Reforms in India?
Indian agriculture has a fundamental problem: around 50 per cent of India’s work force in the agriculture sector contribute only 17 per cent to India’s GDP. This low productivity is the root cause of the low income and economic hardships of farmers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- governance, public policy