In South Africa, provision of affordable, well-situated housing close to existing services and work places is hampered by the high cost and scarcity of appropriate land. Consequently, most new low-income housing projects have been developed on the urban periphery. This tends to entrench the…
Small Scale Landlords make a significant contribution to the South African economy. They provide a range of accommodation types for approximately 15% of all South African households (1,85 million households). 60% of this stock (1,1 million households) comprises Household…
The Entrepreneurial sector in South Africa is seen as a critical component in addressing the fundamental issues of unemployment and poverty, as well as contributing to meaningful Black Economic Empowerment. This is very evident with the Home Based Entrepreneurs though low rates of…
Since the formation of the Government of National Unity in 1994, there have been significant strides towards the transformation of the lives of ordinary South Africans. Set within a macroeconomic policy, which is focused on stimulating economic growth, there has been…
This report highlights the potentially significant impacts on the hydrologic cycle and the importance of considering secondary effects, particularly with regard to water, resulting from the widespread adoption of global climate change mitigation measures. It is recommended that the implicit…
By Samuel Gebreselassie
Land and land tenure is a hot policy issue in Ethiopia. Three key issues are raised – farm size and fragmentation and the question of what is a ‘viable’ farm unit; tenure security and whether lack of land registration/certification or titling undermines investment…
This report examines the living conditions of children and youth under 18 years old involved in diamond-related activities. The report documents the production of process of diamonds in Kono District in Sierra Leone; specifies characteristics of the young miners and those involved in various…
This paper is an attempt to deepen knowledge on the relationships between natural resources and corruption. Specifically, the paper attempts to understand whether there is a causal relationship from natural resource abundance to corruption. The paper analyses the case of São Tomé and Príncipe.…
Over the last 25 years civil disturbances, drought, population increases and global market pressures have all contributed in direct and indirect ways to a modification of Sub saharan African land cover.
This study uses satellite data to assess the land cover change that has taken place…
Report highlighting how poor communities in Obuasi, Ghana are suffering environmental pollution and social problems apparently as a result of gold mining activity. It examines how rivers and streams have been polluted with arsenic, iron, manganese and heavy metals from past gold mining…
This paper makes a case for increased policy attention to pastoralists in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The paper presents:estimates of the numbers of agro-/pastoral populations globallytheir livestock and their contribution to national economiesthe incidence of poverty among agro-/pastoral…
This report is an assessment of possible elements in a new and expanded programme related to environment and natural resources in Uganda.The report includes an analysis of important forest and environmental resource sector elements; key challenges, political and administrative structures,…