Our Best of 2018

In 2018, we shared stories of sustainable development from programs we are implementing in Haiti, Georgia, Jordan, Kenya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Somalia, and more. Stories of transformation that celebrate women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, agricultural market systems strengthening, private sector engagement, and the importance of investing in early childhood education and development. We look forward to another year helping the countries and communities in which we work on their journey to self-reliance.

Here are some of our most widely read posts from 2018!

5. In Somalia, Bananas are Back

With the onset of a two-decade civil war, Somalia’s once thriving banana industry became virtually non-existent. The USAID Somalia GEEL program is helping to revitalize the sector, providing much-needed support to small-holder farmers and boosting economic growth.

4. Photo Essay: Sustainable Economic Growth in Somalia’s Fisheries

Somalia’s 2,050 miles of coastline present tremendous potential for the fisheries industry and the broader economy, but are largely untapped. Learn how USAID and RTI are promoting sustainable economic growth in this sector.

3. Girl Power! Leveling the Playing Field for Women in Energy

Excluding women from energy careers hurts developing countries’ power sectors and limits opportunities for growth. Here are three things USAID is doing to help in Georgia, Jordan, Kenya, Macedonia, Nigeria, and Somalia.

2. Strategies to Promote Early Childhood Development: An Interview with Katherine Merseth

Early childhood is getting a lot of attention lately. RTI’s Katherine Merseth shares research on the different platforms that help support children’s development in their early years.

1. Women at Work: Meet Some of the Inspiring Women Business Owners Who are Driving Change in Haiti

In the eight years since the devastating 2010 earthquake, women in Haiti have played a critical role in rebuilding the country’s economy by starting new businesses.