This Country-Level Effectiveness and
Accountability Review (CLEAR) examines the efficacy of
microfinance aid in Madagascar, based on an objective
analysis of donor assistance for the sustainable development
of financial systems targeting the poor. The three levels of

Increasing energy demands and concerns about global warming call for an increase in energy generation from renewable sources. Small hydropower plants represent a significant contribution to meet this demand. But the optimal use of this resource in a sustainable manner still remains a challenge.

Sierra Leone is still recovering from a
brutal civil war (1991-2002), fuelled in part by a valuable
and easily extractable natural resource (diamonds). Sierra
Leone now stands on the verge of an unprecedented period of
economic growth, driven primarily by revenues from

Urbanization is the single most
important transformation that the African continent will
undergo this century. More than half of Africa's
population will live in its cities by 2040. In the face of
rapid urbanization, there is a narrow window of opportunity

Despite its vast agriculture potential,
Africa is increasingly dependent on food imports from the
rest of the world to satisfy its consumption needs. Food
output has not kept pace with population growth, and more
than 80 percent of production gains since 1980 have come

Regional trade in Africa can play a
vital role in diversifying economies and reducing dependence
on the export of a few mineral products, in delivering food
and energy security, in generating jobs for the increasing
numbers of young people, and in alleviating poverty and

Small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) account for a lion's share of the enterprises in
most economies and are also thought to be an engine of new
growth and innovation. The focus of this paper is to take
the insights on SME mix and segments to practical

Africa is in the midst of a power
crisis. Despite abundant low-carbon, a low-cost energy
resource, Africa faces chronic energy shortages. The
region s power generation capacity is lower than that of any
other region in the world, and when compared with other

The report is structured to allow
readers familiar with Macedonia s agriculture sector to
quickly grasp the essentials needed to improve the sector,
as well as to inform a general audience on how to address
the challenges of a modern European Union (EU)-aspiring

Transforming agriculture in Africa is
not simply about helping Africa; it is essential for
ensuring global food security. But Africa s agriculture is
also of critical importance when it comes to meeting the
world s future needs for food and fiber. With the global

In most of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA)
countries railways have played, throughout history, a key
part in the economic development maintaining a dominant role
in transporting freight and passengers at low costs. During
the last 50 years, the road transport in the region as

In declaring 2012 the international year
of sustainable energy for all, the United Nations (UN)
general assembly (2011) established at the personal
initiative of the UN secretary general- three global
objectives to be accomplished by 2030. Those goals are to