The rural economy and microfinance institutions in Malawi; Survey design and description of the data; Econometric analysis of the impact of access to credit on household welfare; Results of the econometric analysis; Conclusions and implications for policy; Econometric methodology.
This report assesses the achievements and challenges for microfinance service delivery in Malawi, with particular attention to rural and agricultural markets. It identifies key elements that influence the development of Malawi's financial system, and provides some recommendations and opportunities for investors, donors, government and private sector entities to support the development of an inclusive financial system.
Many developing countries have introduced policies to tackle ill-gotten money over the past years. Perception remains that such moves were more a result of international pressure being exercised than genuine ownership of such an agenda. There is not enough analysis and literature of how an anti-financial crime framework does (or does not) contribute to the development path of developing countries or how best to use these tools in a developing country environment. This study was aimed at initially exploring the effects of ill-gotten money or proceeds of crime and anti-money laundering policies on economic development. The study focused on two developing countries: Malawi, (a low-income country) and Namibia (an upper-middle-income country). The starting point of this analysis is that anti-money laundering is essentially a tool to address criminal activities and that, as a result, understanding criminal activities and how proceeds of crime impact development. The purpose of this study was: (i) to provide an initial answer to the question if and how measures to address proceeds of crime contributes to economic development; and (ii) to develop a framework that enable governments in developing countries to analyze the main sources of ill-gotten money and its effects on the economy.
In its fourth edition, this report focuses on recent developments in Africa's banking sectors and the policy options for all stakeholders. The study of banking sectors across all African sub-regions includes the results of the EIB survey of banking groups operating in Africa. Three thematic chapters address challenges and opportunities for financing investment in Africa: Crowding out of private sector lending by public debt issuance The state of bank recovery and resolution laws in Africa Policy options on how to finance infrastructure development. The report finds that in many African banking markets, the last two years saw a pause in financial deepening. However, a rising share of banking groups report improving market conditions and plan a structural expansion of their operations in Africa and a continued push for new technologies.
Farmers who live in fragile tropical hillsides often operate under severe resource constraints and face difficult tradeoffs when confronted with changes in production conditions. Using a bioeconomic linear programming model, this study simulates the effects of population, market, and technological changes on farmers' income and on their management of the natural resource in a hillside area of Central Honduras. The results show that economic growth and agricultural intensification are not necessarily adverse for fragile environments. In fact, farmer incomes would be much lower and degradation much higher if intensive agriculture had not been adopted. Such a result, however, must be framed within a complex set of conditioning factors, among which agroecology plays a fundamental role. Although the economic advantages of horticultural production are clear in the area studied, this strategy is not suited for all contexts. This report offers a series of policy recommendations that implicitly recognize such limitations, thereby helping to direct resources where they will have their greatest impact.
Volume 3 of this series of the Handbooks in Economics follows on from the previous two volumes by focusing on the fundamental concepts of agricultural economics. The first part of the volume examines the developments in human resources and technology mastery. The second part follows on by considering the processes and impact of invention and innovation in this field. The effects of market forces are examined in the third part, and the volume concludes by analysing the economics of our changing natural resources, including the past effects of climate change.Overall this volume forms a comprehensive and accessible survey of the field of agricultural economics and is recommended reading for anyone with an interest, either academic or professional, in this area.*Part of the renown Handbooks in Economics series*Contributors are leaders of their areas*International in scope and comprehensive in coverage
Volume 3 of this series of the Handbooks in Economics follows on from the previous two volumes by focusing on the fundamental concepts of agricultural economics. The first part of the volume examines the developments in human resources and technology mastery. The second part follows on by considering the processes and impact of invention and innovation in this field. The effects of market forces are examined in the third part, and the volume concludes by analysing the economics of our changing natural resources, including the past effects of climate change. Overall this volume forms a comprehensive and accessible survey of the field of agricultural economics and is recommended reading for anyone with an interest, either academic or professional, in this area. *Part of the renown Handbooks in Economics series *Contributors are leaders of their areas *International in scope and comprehensive in coverage