December 17, 2024 – A new policy paper from the Center for Global Development, co-authored with Astha Mainali, focuses on four African countries—Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, and Senegal. The paper identifies key policies shaping public expenditures and explores the potential economic and social benefits of increasing childcare investments in these countries over time. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to enhance the transparency and accessibility of expenditure data, prioritize early childhood in public funding, and leverage international aid and policy frameworks to optimize childcare services in Africa. By doing so, these efforts can better facilitate gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and economic development.
The Center for Global Development also authored a blog discussing insights from the paper.