Blog
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Policy Dialogue on Taxation in the Informal Economy
Policy Dialogue on Taxation in the Informal Economy On 9 October 2025, our country researcher Matron Muchena joined the policy dialogue on taxation organised by the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET). One important reflection came from the Director of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. She reminded us that the ongoing formalisation strategy now submitted
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What will it take to give?
“The act of giving is part of our DNA.” This is a claim I hear in many workshops and discussions, especially amongst my African colleagues. However, when I ask them to list causes they support, very few. We have the language and the tools, but we rarely use them. In many instances, our giving is
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Tracking a Year of the GNU: Launch of the South Africa Barometer Report
Tracking a Year of the GNU: Launch of the South Africa Barometer Report We launched our report on the performance of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) on Tuesday, the 16th, at the Origins Centre within the University of the Witwatersrand. The event was hosted in partnership with ACT Ubumbano, a network of Southern African
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Stories of Change: $25 for 25 May Campaign
Stories of Change: $25 for 25 May Campaign To some, $25 might seem like a modest sum—barely enough for a dinner out or a few groceries. But for grassroots organisations across Africa, it can be the spark that ignites real, lasting change. During the $25 for 25 May campaign, dozens of local initiatives received donations
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Reflections from Zambia: Tracking Manifesto Promises Through the Citizens Watch Initiative
Through our African Citizens Watch (ACW) initiative, which is an online platform, we track the performance and effectiveness of African governments through their conversion of electoral promises listed in their electoral manifesto into policy actions. We track in 5 countries – Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Zambia, to keep the tracker updated and relevant,
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MSMEs are Africa’s Backbone — Let’s Strengthen Their Foundation!
From corner market stalls to digital startups, MSMEs power the African economy, creating jobs, sustaining communities, and driving innovation. Yet, too many face financial barriers that limit their potential. This Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) Day, let’s go beyond celebration. Let’s push for real financial inclusion. The Impact of MSMEs Did you know that Micro,
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Building Resilient Communities: The Power of Community Foundations and Network Building in Philanthropy
Reality check- No one is coming to rescue Africa! For decades, Official Development Assistance (ODA) from developed countries has been existing to tackle various challenges in Africa. The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) system also rose on the continent to address Africa’s challenges and complement government efforts. Throughout all these interventions, community efforts to address their own
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The state of promises fulfilment by the MCP regime four (4) years down the line
INTRODUCTION The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was elected to office on June 28, 2020. This was after the nullification of the 2019 presidential results based on electoral irregularities. MCP made more than 204 promises through its manifesto[1]. Where are we four (4) years down the line and with elections earmarked for September 2025? Promising is
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Citizens’ Perceptions and Expectations in Zimbabwe- The 2024 Assessment
Citizens’ Perceptions and Expectations in Zimbabwe- The 2024 Assessment Our fifth report on Citizens’ Perceptions and Expectations from Zimbabwe has been published. It has been five years of inquiring from citizens to understand their expectations and desires from the people they put into office. Since starting this process, we have dealt with a government led
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Does the UPND have 2026 in the Bag?
A Brief Analysis of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Performance since August 2021 1.0 Introduction The United Party for National Development (UPND), led by Hakainde Hichilema, assumed office in Zambia on August 24, 2021, following a decisive electoral victory that ended the nearly ten-year reign of the Patriotic Front (PF). This transition was