The Revenue Watch Institute has just released its 2013 Resource Governance Index and accompanying report, measuring countries’ transparency and accountability in the governance of oil, gas, and mining on four criteria: legal framework, transparency levels, checks and balances, and the broader governance context. The Index assesses fifty-eight countries—which together produce 85 percent of the world’s oil, 90 percent of diamonds, and 80 percent of copper. Of the fifty-eight countries studied, forty-seven were found to fall short on basic standards of openness and accountability.

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In a new CFR Backgrounder, CFR.org’s Christopher Alessi explores the lingering inequalities in South Africa’s economy and the obstacles to faster growth, from educational failures to a shortage of labor-intensive manufacturing. As he writes: Read more »

In spite of the global economic turbulence of recent years, many countries in the global south are experiencing rapid growth. Cities are booming, infrastructure projects are expanding, and luxury goods are becoming commonplace. However, economic growth within a country does not necessarily bring shared benefits to all citizens. One of the greatest development challenges of the 21^st century is the stubborn and often extensive poverty of middle income countries.

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As my colleague Isobel Coleman wrote last week, Saudi Arabia has just leaped a small hurdle towards gender equality: announcing last week that it will allow female athletics in private schools. Until now girls have been prohibited from playing sports as a part of formal education. The move comes on the heels of last year’s decision to allow two Saudi women to compete in the Olympics for the first time in the country’s history.

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The African growth story continues as investors pour into Africa. Investment is booming and interest in the continent is surging as capital seeks regions still able to flourish despite the broader global economy’s fight to return to robust—or at least decent—health.

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Emerging Voices features regular contributions from scholars and practitioners highlighting new research, thinking, and approaches to development challenges. This article is from Sir Michael Barber, who is the U.K. Department for International Development’s (DfID) (unpaid) special representative on education in Pakistan, the chief education advisor at Pearson, and from 2001 to 2005, was the chief advisor on delivery to Prime Minister Tony Blair. In the article he discusses an educational reform program he helps lead in Pakistan and the broader debate over the effective delivery of foreign aid.

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On the new Ask CFR Experts feature today, I consider the question of whether the United States should continue economic aid to Egypt. “The answer,” I write, “is a resounding yes.” As I add, however: Read more »

Yesterday on his blog, CFR senior fellow John Campbell wrote about Brazil’s involvement in and assistance to Africa. As he argues: Read more »

Last week on my blog, I reviewed USAID’s Water and Development Strategy, focusing on the link between water and food security. As I write: Read more »