Latest news with #developingNations
Bloomberg
21 hours ago
- Science
- Bloomberg
Trust in AI Strongest in China, Low-Income Nations, Study Shows
A United Nations study found a sharp global divide on attitudes toward artificial intelligence, with trust strongest in low-income countries and skepticism high in wealthier ones. More than 6 out of 10 people in developing nations said they have faith that AI systems serve the best interests of society, according to a UN Development Programme survey of 21 countries seen by Bloomberg News. In two-thirds of the countries surveyed, over half of respondents expressed some level of confidence that AI is being designed for good.
CNN
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
The UK, Germany and Canada have slashed foreign aid this year, deepening damage done by US cuts, analysis shows
Western countries have slashed foreign aid budgets this year and reductions will steepen in 2026, with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada cutting the most, according to a new analysis from the Center for Global Development (CGD). The aid cuts will mean 'significant losses' for many developing nations, according to the analysis from the DC-based think tank, shared exclusively with CNN. Ethiopia is projected to lose the most aid in nominal terms, with Jordan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo also hit particularly hard. Smaller nations will also be hammered by the reduction in foreign aid, with Lesotho, Micronesia and Eswatini each losing around 50% of their aid. 'It's setting fire to the bold ambitions to solve poverty and transform developing countries,' Lee Crawfurd, one of the authors of the report, told CNN. 'It's some of the poorest, most fragile places in the world that are going to be hardest hit.' The analysis looked at projections of bilateral aid – money provided directly to another country rather than routed through multilateral organizations such as United Nations agencies or the World Bank – for 2025 and 2026. The US is projected to cut the most, with a projected 56% reduction compared to levels two years ago. The Trump administration's gutting of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) earlier this year has already left a hole in many international aid budgets, and several other Western nations are following suit rather than filling the void. 'A big, big chunk of overall cuts in the next couple of years are going to be from the US pulling out, rather than other countries. But these other countries are making things worse,' said Crawfurd, a senior research fellow at the CGD. The UK aid cuts are estimated to represent a roughly 39% reduction compared to 2023 levels of spending. Meanwhile, Germany is cutting about 27%, Canada 25% and France 19% of their international aid budgets. The true level of aid cuts remains unclear, as the Trump administration's proposed budget and other government proposals are still making their way through legislatures. But some funding cuts are almost guaranteed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in February that his government would increase the UK's defense spending by cutting its aid budget to 0.3% of gross national income in 2027, its lowest level since 1999. Many organizations and aid workers have raised alarm about European governments pitting aid budgets against defense spending. 'Cutting the already lean aid budget is a false economy and will only increase division and amounts to a betrayal of the world's most vulnerable people,' said Halima Begum, head of Oxfam GB. 'It is a false dichotomy to pit international cooperation to tackle poverty against national security interests in order to avoid tax increases.' Crawfurd said that bilateral aid is a 'really small part of government budgets' and the money for defense or security could be found elsewhere. 'It's a choice… it's a political choice,' he added. The think tank wrote in its analysis that 'one striking takeaway is that some countries are projected to lose large amounts of ODA (official development assistance) simply because of who their main donors are – while others are projected to lose very little' – a game of chance, with losses not matching up to the recipient country's needs. Yemen, for example, is projected to experience a 19% fall in its bilateral funding compared to 2023, while its 'comparable' neighbor country Somalia is projected to lose about 39%. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also warned that multilateral aid cuts are threatening efforts to tackle 44 of the highest-priority, protracted humanitarian crises. As of April, only 11.9% of the funding for UN response plans had been covered. 'Every year, the UN has been helping more than 100 million people in the world as they go through the worst time of their lives in wars and disasters. But let's be clear: we won't reach the level of funding in 2025 that we've seen in previous years,' Anja Nitzsche, OCHA's chief of partnerships and resource mobilization told CNN in a statement. 'Vulnerable families are being left without food, clean water, healthcare, shelter or protection in places such as Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar and Afghanistan.' The CGD is urging Western donors to reallocate aid to the poorest countries to try to 'ensure that resources are directed to populations in greatest need.' Western countries also need to improve coordination to mitigate further damage, especially as they are withdrawing from countries receiving aid, the think tank said. In some countries, the cuts will change who the largest donor is, which 'can lead to major shifts in what gets funded and how,' according to the CGD. For example, Portugal will likely overtake the US in aid to Angola, and Japan is projected to overtake France in Egypt. 'A new lead donor may not continue the same programs' or may take time to get up and running, according to the analysis. Giving a larger share of aid to multilateral organizations can also help improve international cooperation and cut down on duplication of aid efforts. 'Coordination is an ongoing challenge,' Crawfurd told CNN. 'The easiest way to do that is just to fund big multilateral funds like the World Bank.'
CNN
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
The UK, Germany and Canada have slashed foreign aid this year, deepening damage done by US cuts, analysis shows
Western countries have slashed foreign aid budgets this year and reductions will steepen in 2026, with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada cutting the most, according to a new analysis from the Center for Global Development (CGD). The aid cuts will mean 'significant losses' for many developing nations, according to the analysis from the DC-based think tank, shared exclusively with CNN. Ethiopia is projected to lose the most aid in nominal terms, with Jordan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo also hit particularly hard. Smaller nations will also be hammered by the reduction in foreign aid, with Lesotho, Micronesia and Eswatini each losing around 50% of their aid. 'It's setting fire to the bold ambitions to solve poverty and transform developing countries,' Lee Crawfurd, one of the authors of the report, told CNN. 'It's some of the poorest, most fragile places in the world that are going to be hardest hit.' The analysis looked at projections of bilateral aid – money provided directly to another country rather than routed through multilateral organizations such as United Nations agencies or the World Bank – for 2025 and 2026. The US is projected to cut the most, with a projected 56% reduction compared to levels two years ago. The Trump administration's gutting of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) earlier this year has already left a hole in many international aid budgets, and several other Western nations are following suit rather than filling the void. 'A big, big chunk of overall cuts in the next couple of years are going to be from the US pulling out, rather than other countries. But these other countries are making things worse,' said Crawfurd, a senior research fellow at the CGD. The UK aid cuts are estimated to represent a roughly 39% reduction compared to 2023 levels of spending. Meanwhile, Germany is cutting about 27%, Canada 25% and France 19% of their international aid budgets. The true level of aid cuts remains unclear, as the Trump administration's proposed budget and other government proposals are still making their way through legislatures. But some funding cuts are almost guaranteed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in February that his government would increase the UK's defense spending by cutting its aid budget to 0.3% of gross national income in 2027, its lowest level since 1999. Many organizations and aid workers have raised alarm about European governments pitting aid budgets against defense spending. 'Cutting the already lean aid budget is a false economy and will only increase division and amounts to a betrayal of the world's most vulnerable people,' said Halima Begum, head of Oxfam GB. 'It is a false dichotomy to pit international cooperation to tackle poverty against national security interests in order to avoid tax increases.' Crawfurd said that bilateral aid is a 'really small part of government budgets' and the money for defense or security could be found elsewhere. 'It's a choice… it's a political choice,' he added. The think tank wrote in its analysis that 'one striking takeaway is that some countries are projected to lose large amounts of ODA (official development assistance) simply because of who their main donors are – while others are projected to lose very little' – a game of chance, with losses not matching up to the recipient country's needs. Yemen, for example, is projected to experience a 19% fall in its bilateral funding compared to 2023, while its 'comparable' neighbor country Somalia is projected to lose about 39%. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also warned that multilateral aid cuts are threatening efforts to tackle 44 of the highest-priority, protracted humanitarian crises. As of April, only 11.9% of the funding for UN response plans had been covered. 'Every year, the UN has been helping more than 100 million people in the world as they go through the worst time of their lives in wars and disasters. But let's be clear: we won't reach the level of funding in 2025 that we've seen in previous years,' Anja Nitzsche, OCHA's chief of partnerships and resource mobilization told CNN in a statement. 'Vulnerable families are being left without food, clean water, healthcare, shelter or protection in places such as Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar and Afghanistan.' The CGD is urging Western donors to reallocate aid to the poorest countries to try to 'ensure that resources are directed to populations in greatest need.' Western countries also need to improve coordination to mitigate further damage, especially as they are withdrawing from countries receiving aid, the think tank said. In some countries, the cuts will change who the largest donor is, which 'can lead to major shifts in what gets funded and how,' according to the CGD. For example, Portugal will likely overtake the US in aid to Angola, and Japan is projected to overtake France in Egypt. 'A new lead donor may not continue the same programs' or may take time to get up and running, according to the analysis. Giving a larger share of aid to multilateral organizations can also help improve international cooperation and cut down on duplication of aid efforts. 'Coordination is an ongoing challenge,' Crawfurd told CNN. 'The easiest way to do that is just to fund big multilateral funds like the World Bank.'
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Technology in the Agriculture sector in Africa is critical: DHL Express and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) release study on the future of African Agritech
Technological Advancement as a Catalyst: The impact of technology, especially AI and digital platforms, is shaping the future of agriculture on the continent. Emerging Business Models: The paper discusses the need for innovative models and management strategies in the industry. Case Studies of Success: The report features inspiring case studies from various African nations, showcasing innovative Agritech solutions DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) ( in collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Centre for African Management and Markets (CAMM), has unveiled a white paper that highlights the trends shaping the agricultural landscape in Africa. This research emphasises the critical role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing poverty across the continent. The African Agritech: The State of Play and Potential for Prosperity report reveals that improvements in agricultural productivity have a disproportionately positive effect on poverty alleviation in developing nations. A 1% increase in agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) correlates with a 1% decline in the population living in extreme poverty, highlighting agriculture's potential as a powerful tool for economic development. As Africa's population continues to grow, the agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, facing both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. The industry is vital for sustainable development and economic growth in Africa. Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of the continent's economy, accounting for approximately 15% of output, which is significantly higher than the global average of 5% [1]. For Africa to thrive, its agricultural sector must be optimally used to drive growth, especially given the rapid population increase projected for the region. The paper highlights the need for the industry to consider innovative models and management strategies. Innovation and technology are crucial for enhancing agricultural output and efficiency, which can lead to improved economic conditions across the continent. 'This paper highlights our commitment to supporting sustainable growth and innovation in the agricultural sector, particularly on the African continent. DHL's purpose revolves around connecting people and improving lives – as the world's largest logistics company, it is our responsibility to lead the way and guide the logistics industry into a sustainable future and ultimately ensure that we make a positive difference in the communities in which we operate. Through this paper, we hope to provide a glimpse of what lies ahead for the industry and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable economic growth,' said Hennie Heymans, DHL Express SSA CEO. 'We knew agritech was a powerful driver of prosperity, but we were impressed with what we unearthed during the research. Tech is being used in amazing ways to improve everything from soil management and crop spraying to transportation and fire detection,' said Ian Macleod, a member of the CAMM research team. DHL Agri-Express – a solution for Agri SMEs in SSA DHL Express SSA recently launched a new DHL Agri-Express solution, a time-definite express packaging solution developed to support Agricultural SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa with the shipping of avocados. This innovative and sustainable solution eliminates the need for active cold chain shipping by employing cutting-edge alternative technology. Specifically designed for small sample shipments of 6 to 50 avocados, this packaging solution enables customers to leverage the DHL Express network to send samples to buyers in international markets with ease and speed. The research paper can be downloaded here ( [1] Suri, T.,&Udry, C. (2022). Agricultural technology in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36(1), 33-56. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DHL Express. Contact: DHL Express SSA Media Relations Lerato Moeletsi-Banda ++27 71 352 3300 Follow us at: DHL Africa ( About DHL Group: DHL Group is the world's leading logistic company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees, investors and green logistics worldwide. To this end, DHL Group is focusing on accelerating sustainable growth in its profitable core logistics businesses and Group growth initiatives. The Group contributes to the world through sustainable business practices, corporate citizenship, and environmental activities. By the year 2050, DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics. DHL Group is home to two strong brands: DHL offers a comprehensive range of parcel, express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post is the largest postal service provider in Europe and the market leader in the German mail market. DHL Group employs approximately 602,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion Euros in 2024. The logistics company for the world.
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Lowy report finds Pacific nations 'grappling with a tidal wave of debt repayments' to China
New research shows that China has emerged as the world's largest debtor for developing nations, which are due to pay back at least $54 billion to Beijing this year. Australian foreign policy think tank the Lowy Institute has crunched data from the World Bank and found some of the world's poorest countries are now facing "record high debt payments" to China. China rapidly boosted investments in infrastructure last decade, funding railways, ports and roads across the developing world under its sprawling Belt and Road Initiative — projects which have often been welcomed by governments across Latin America, Africa, Central Asia and South-East Asia. But the lending has also placed pressure on government balance sheets around the world. Beijing has sharply pulled back lending in the last five to 10 years, but the Lowy Institute's Riley Duke says bills from earlier loans are now starting to land. "Because China's Belt and Road lending spree peaked in the mid-2010s, those grace periods began expiring in the early 2020s." "It was always likely to be a crunch period for developing country repayments to China." The problem has been exacerbated by China's move to defer debt repayments during the COVID-19 pandemic, a move which was "helpful at the time" but is now "heightening … the current repayment spike". The picture painted by the report is incomplete, because China typically does not provide data for its loans, and information isn't available for many developed nations. But Mr Duke said it was obvious that developing countries — including in the Pacific — were now "grappling with a tidal wave of debt repayments and interest costs." "The high debt burden facing developing countries will hamper poverty reduction and slow development progress while stoking economic and political instability risks." Pacific nations like Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu are already grappling with high levels of Chinese debt, and have been pushing Beijing for extensions on their loans. For example, Tonga borrowed heavily from China to rebuild in the wake of the devastating 2006 riots in Nuku'alofa. It has now started gradually repaying loans worth around $190 million – a sum which Lowy says is roughly equivalent to a quarter of its GDP. But those repayments — along with recent natural disasters — have placed significant strain on Tonga's budget, as well as stoking political controversy in the Pacific Island nation. Australia has stepped in with significant financial support to help Tonga balance its books, including an $85 million budget support package unveiled earlier this year. The report says that while Chinese institutions are at times willing to push back repayment demands, they've typically been unwilling to forgive debts — which means Beijing often faces a difficult diplomatic balancing act. "At the same time, China's lending arms, particularly its quasi-commercial institutions, face mounting pressure to recover outstanding debts." The report says Beijing's preference to kick the can down the road could create new financial dynamics in a host of developing countries. "As a result, China's approach to debt distress increasingly echoes the 'extend and pretend' practices of Western lenders during the 1980s Lost Decade — a period that left many low-income countries deeply indebted and ultimately required sweeping restructurings and write-downs in the 1990s."
