18 June - Are PRSPs in Sub-Saharan Africa as Effective as Expected?
A new IMF publication takes stock of poverty reduction strategies implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the context of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). This paper finds that there is no conclusive evidence that its implementation has played a role in reducing poverty and increasing the income share of the poor. In fact, the research reveals that despite PRSP countries’ post-crisis economic resilience, the poverty headcount has not reduced and growth has more than proportionately benefited the top quintile during PRSP implementation.