Controversy over Foreign Direct Investment in India’s retail market has raised a political storm, but Tabish Azeem, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Gaya, India, argues it’s a positive step that will provide needed jobs and increase desperately low farm income while offering consumers new options.  When India’s economist Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced the …

“Retail giants to tap the promising Indian market” Read More »

Some pundits say India is poised to become a superpower in the next decade. Achuth Menon, 20 a Commonwealth Correspondent from India, argues the country must meet a number of goals before that happens. India and her people will emerge in the forefront of world nations as a shining economic super power – provided the systems …

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A government plan to encourage youth entrepreneurship will fail unless the energy crisis is solved, writes Naseema Perveen, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan, who says policy makers and politicians need to coordinate their efforts. I want to put forward a few of my thoughts about the youth loan scheme just launched by …

"Economic prosperity requires planned policies" Read More »

Youth entrepreneurs are powering Africa’s growth, writes Amina Adhan, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi, Kenya, as she describes one innovator’s challenges, success and vision.  Africa’s dynamic growth is not only driven by established companies but also by innovative youth led entrepreneurship. From ingenious social ventures that address social economic problems to businesses that reignite the …

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Unemployment can lead to social as well as economic problems, writes Jonathan Ugiagbe, 30, a Correspondent from Benin in Nigeria, who examines causes and potential solutions to a pervasive issue. One of the greatest challenges facing the Nigerian economy is unemployment, which has maintained a rising trend over the years. Viewing this from the perspective …

“Solving Nigeria’s unemployment problem” Read More »

To help dismantle the silos that plague society’s civil discourse, Mary-Jean Nleya, 24, a Correspondent from Botswana, sat down with Ms. Carol – a woman who sits daily on an Oxford street – to learn about life at the grassroots level. Their discussion covered politics, art, business, the economy and mental health care. Q: Hello. Please …

“I am at the bottom of the pile, but all are equal” Read More »

Retirees count on pensions for their well-being in old age, but Alabidun Sarat, 22, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, writes that mismanagement of funds or onerous bureaucracy can be a burden on the hoped-for golden years. About two months ago, a group of old people in Nigeria under the platform of Internally Displaced Pensioners …

“The ease of getting a pension raises concern” Read More »

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have been touted as the pioneers in the field of poverty alleviation in developing countries, writes Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India currently studying in the U.S. However, he points out that some of their policies have been criticised by international development watchdogs. In Haiti’s case, the criticism arose …

“Development economics in Haiti and Ghana” Read More »

Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 22, a Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, makes the case for an open state budgeting system, arguing that it will improve the level of transparency and accountability in governance. A budget is considered open if citizens have access to budget documents and a high level of involvement in the budgetary process. Corruption in many …

“Calling for a transparent budget process” Read More »

Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 22, a Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, explains how the lack of sound economic policy is a major reason for the country’s current recession. One year after the official announcement of Nigeria’s recession by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, several discussions have continued to ensue …

“The real reasons behind Nigeria’s economic recession” Read More »