This paper provides empirical evidence that the propensity for political instability in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) has been increased by low tax revenues and deteriorations in the terms of trade. The direct effect of political instability on economic growth is not statistically...

How does fiscal policy fare in improving the underlying income distribution in Central America? We integrate the data from a number of existing tax and public expenditure studies for the countries in the region and find that the distributional effect of taxation is regressive but small. In...

This paper examines the first annual report on the implementation of Madagascar’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The report reviews the status of achievements on policy measures, action plans, as well as reforms concerning the Initiative for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries...

During the transition process, many existing social sector institutions and policies were significantly eroded and their underlying character changed. As a result, they often do not redistribute to the poorest, nor generally serve the role of facilitating economic change. Social sector reforms...

Since its independence in 1975, the Union of Comoros has been deeply affected by political and institutional crises. Resolution of the separatist crisis on the island of Anjouan and subsequent national consolidation has constituted a historic turning point. The government has begun a...

This paper on the United Republic of Tanzania’s Poverty Reduction Strategy reports that increases in investments in infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, mining, and tourism have been recorded owing to increased inflows of foreign direct investments and domestic revenue...

The paper provides an assessment of poverty and inequality on the basis of the data gathered from the most recent surveys. The vision of state and nonstate actors as well as the challenges to be met by 2015 was outlined; the paper also summarizes the major areas of work decided upon by the...

The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2010–12 aims to serve as a medium-term program for the implementation of the National Development Strategy up to 2015. It will determine the major socioeconomic development of the country during this period, taking...

This paper focuses on Senegal’s second poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP–II). It summarizes the results of the participatory PRSP review process prior to final validation and adoption by the government. As an economic and social policy document for growth and poverty reduction...

Following an evaluation of the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Framework (PRSF) of Mali, the government adopted the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Framework (GPRSF) document, which aims at reducing poverty and achieving the MDGs. The Accelerated Growth Strategy, which maintains...