Violette Bardouil

Coffee plays an important role in Rwanda’s economy and the livelihoods of rural families. The World Bank reports that 38.6% of Rwanda’s population lived below the international poverty line for lower-middle-income countries in 2023. Agriculture remains the country’s largest employer, making stable sources of farm income essential for reducing poverty.

Access to electricity remains a challenge for many families in Zanzibar. According to Power Africa, only half of Zanzibar’s 1.6 million residents have access to electricity. Limited access to reliable energy affects education, health care and economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities. Poverty also remains a significant challenge in Zanzibar.

Mali still faces significant development challenges. According to the World Bank, in 2021, 36.10% of people were living on less than $3 a day. Poverty affects rural communities the most, where families depend on agriculture and remain vulnerable to droughts, rising food prices and insecurity caused by conflicts that have disrupted access to basic services. For many, daily life involves limited access to health care, education, clean water and reliable sources of income.