Publications

Policy Briefs

Updates on economic developments in Yemen and other relevant Policy Briefs.

Enhancing the Role of Microfinance Banks for Sustainable Impact in Yemen

September 23, 2024 Policy Briefs
Yemen's microfinance sector is a story of both remarkable progress and persistent challenges. Introduced in 1997 with the backing of international donors, microfinancing emerged as a vital tool in the fight against poverty and unemployment. The Social Fund for Development (SFD) acted as a driving force, establishing the Small and Microenterprise Development Unit (SMED) to head this…

The Impact of Flooding on Agricultural Communities in Yemen

March 13, 2024 Policy Briefs
Yemen's agricultural communities face a perfect storm of growing ecological threats amid protracted conflict. Flash floods destroy farms, crops, and irrigation systems. Late rains risk drowning mature harvests, and waterlogged fields hinder root growth. Coastal areas battle salinization, and collapsed roads and buried wells hamper recovery. As flooding and changing rainfall patterns…

Challenges to Yemen’s Public Revenues

December 18, 2023 Policy Briefs
Since April 2022, the war in Yemen has mutated from a volatile, high-casualty conflict to a protracted stalemate with stable frontlines. The contest is now over the economy, as the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) leverages negotiations and its military power to put fiscal pressure on the internationally recognized government, stoking discontent as public utilities break down and the currency…

Scaling up Solar Energy Investments in Yemen

March 20, 2023 Policy Briefs
This brief provides an introduction to electricity provision in Yemen and explores the viability of specific solar energy applications for Yemen’s fragile context. It further considers the feasibility of partnering with the private sector in the solar energy sector, and finally presents recommendations and practical steps to address challenges to scaling-up investments in this sector in…

Priorities for the Recovery and Reform of the Electricity Sector in Yemen

November 11, 2021 Policy Briefs
Electricity is the backbone of any economy and one of the necessities of modern life. Since even before the current war, poor electricity services in Yemen have been one of the key barriers to sustainable economic development and basic service provisions, such as water supply, health care, and education. This policy brief presents an overview of the electricity sector and its relevant…

Local Economic Councils: A Tool to Improve Business Productivity in Yemen

September 6, 2021 Policy Briefs
Even before the events of 2014 and 2015 that led Yemen into the ongoing civil war, its economy was fragile. The years of hardship that have haunted the country ever since have been devastating. Yemen is now rated as one of the hardest places in the world for businesses to operate and is last or near last in a host of global business competitiveness indexes. From January 25-27,2021 the…

Solar-Powered Irrigation in Yemen: Opportunities, Challenges and Policies

April 29, 2021 Policy Briefs
This study examines the current trend of solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) use in Sana’a Basin, identifying the pros and cons of this approach. It presents the perspectives of farmers and experts in terms of what is happening and what should be done to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts of SPIS. The incidence of SPIS installation is increasing at a rate of more…

Impacts of the War on the Telecommunications Sector in Yemen

January 11, 2021 Policy Briefs
The telecommunications and information technology sector in Yemen is a vital component of the country’s infrastructure and plays a critical role in economic growth. It is the second largest source of public revenue after the petroleum sector, and contributes important work opportunities, whether directly or indirectly, through its connections to other sectors of the national economy.

Economic Priorities for a Sustainable Peace Agreement in Yemen

June 2, 2020 Policy Briefs
The sustainability of a peace agreement in Yemen depends on two critical economic issues. First, in a conflict that is largely over access to resources, the issues of distribution, control, and sharing of those resources can make or break peace. Therefore, these issues must be addressed head-on during negotiations. Second, where peace agreements lack provisions that create overall economic…