While the world works toward the Sustainable Development Goals, important transformations of the agricultural sector will be required to achieve food security, the eradication of poverty and hunger, and sustainable economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. This is particularly true in Ghana, where the agricultural sector contributes 19 percent of GDP and absorbs 45 percent of total national employment.Low productivity in agriculture is strongly associated with poverty: 78 percent of the poor population of Ghana lives in rural areas. These figures indicate that a more competitive and productive agricultural sector can support poverty eradication.

From May 8-May 10, 2018, IPA Zambia Country Director, Carlos Acero, presented at the 10th Conference of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) in Lusaka.Carlos presented on the potential benefits of digital wage payments for women and employers. The event was attended by leaders and researchers from a range of organizations, including Kiva, Mercy Corps, Plan International, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).

On Monday, May 7, Sharada Ramanathan, Knowledge Manager for the Poverty Probability Index (PPI®), presented an introduction to the PPI.The PPI is a poverty measurement tool for organizations and businesses with a mission to serve the poor.It is statistically sound, yet simple to use.