Development Economics: Cocoa Profits and Pension Funds

Two economic development stories relevant especially for EdExcel economics students and teachers.

Could Africa's pension funds be used for development?

This report from the BBC Africa looks at how a number of sub-Saharan African governments are putting pressure on pension fund administrators to fund public investment projects.

Improving the terms of trade and profit from farming

James Hall is well worth following - Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire together supply 65% of world cocoa but get only 6% of US$100bn cocoa market profits. What strategies might be used to achieve a more equitable share of the revenues and profits from primary production?

Many women in low income countries that work the land are barred from owning it - what can be done to empower them?

Follow the stories further with these twitter links