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Development Initiatives exists

to end absolute poverty by 2030

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Poverty, Information & Resources – What we learn from the EACPR & Global Chronic Poverty Report

Charles Lwanga-Ntale

Africa Regional Director

18th March 2015

Financing the future Conference – Accra, Ghana

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Resources, information & Poverty in EA – Where our learning at we learn from the

EACPR These ideas are informed by:

(1)Recently completed research & analysis on Chronic Poverty in Eastern Africa;

(2)Completed research & chapter on resources in global Chronic Poverty Report, 2014 – 2015

(3)Our work on the role of data and information in resource allocation and transparency

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Emerging conclusions1. A large number of people in extreme and chronic poverty

(bottom 20%) “future” in Financing future narrative ought to be a poverty-free world/Africa

2. Social, economic & other forms of exclusion persist a Global Fund for Social Protection; new agric financing

3. Emphasis on income obscures the importance of other assets & issues ambition needed to address all forms of poverty & political economy

4. Capacity gaps exist among all “partners” (including donors) enhance capacity for all

5. A lot more resources – recommit to 0.7%

6. Invest in better data & information emphasising the demand side

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Many people in extreme & chronic poverty

• At least 20 million people in EA in CP – cannot afford to ignore (Ghana total Pop 27.7m; Cameroon 21.9m)

• Most CP are working poor – doing all they can (includes private sector poor)

• Particular categories still excluded – people with disabilities; small-holder agriculturalists; women; ethnic minorities

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The poverty picture is complicated

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•Public goods seriously threatened - Forest cover in EA (1990 – 2000) in Hectares (millions)

Resource conflict linked to livelihood insecurity

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Poverty is highest in countries with lowest spending on the poor

EAC Govts spend <PPP$500 /year

Sub-national spend less visible

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Data, information & political narratives

• Little is yet known who the poor are; where they are; their livelihood trajectories (Burundi; Kenya) good panel data & demand-led data revolution is needed

• Local Governments struggle with basic data vital statistics & joined-up data; capacities

• Donor reports reveal little to policy-makers need greater transparency

• Not all existing data tells a story better data & analysis (including contextual analysis)

• Also … “even” data is not politically neutral

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3 policy proposals (consistent with findings on chronic poverty in other countries)

1. Tackling poverty directly inclusive plans & budgets (hence more resources

2. Stopping impoverishment Social Protection (linked to welfare, production & addressing vulnerability)

3. Sustaining poverty escapes – linked-up provision