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This study examined whether different types of foreign direct investment have different effects on economic growth. Specifically, it examined if the different types of foreign direct investment could complement or could displace domestic investment in Sub-Saharan Africa vs. in rest of the world. The study utilized panel data from 142 (36 Sub-Saharan Africa and 106 others) countries over the period of 2003-2017. Possible endogeneity bias was addressed using generalized method of moment estimator. The study revealed that intensive margins of Greenfield foreign direct investment and cross-border merger and acquisition influence economic growth in rest of the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, only extensive margin of Greenfield foreign direct investment is robustly influencing economic growth. The study further identified that Greenfield foreign direct investment margins might displace domestic investment while cross-border merger and acquisition margins could complement domestic investment in rest of the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, nonetheless, the study reveals that only extensive margin of Greenfield foreign direct investment robustly complements domestic investment. Therefore, Sub-Saharan Africa countries such Ethiopia could directly promote their economic growth by attracting larger numbers of Greenfield foreign direct investment projects rather than inviting foreign direct investment with intensive investments in a few projects. Policies that augment human capital and promote domestic investment could help Sub-Saharan Africa countries to accelerate their economic growth with the help of Greenfield foreign direct investment..

Local Economic development as approach to development is a prominent strategy to tackle unemployment and poverty in urban areas. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess and communicate the extent to which municipal Local Economic development initiatives contribute towards improving the livelihood of communities in Ambo Town for sustainable local economic development. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in this study. Accordingly, data were collected from 152 participants through questionnaire, interview and observation; and analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis and description. The study revealed that local economic development has had a marginal impact on poverty alleviation due to a myriad of factors which reinforce and interact with each other thereby trapping entrepreneurs and residents in poverty. Local economic development approach, in most cases, to the development project planning and decision makings are in top-down which do not target all the segments of the poor in a meaningful way. Local economic development serves as an important strategy to boost local economies to address the high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequalities facing majority population. Participatory development process is crucial to properly translate the local economic development policy into meaningful practice so that there is a significant impact on alleviating poverty program.

Though barley value chains analysis assists governmental institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs) to assess their activities and redesign their operations, there has been no adequate study in Ambo district. Thus, this study aimed to analyze barley market value chain and identify determinants of the quantity of barley supply. The data were gathered from 132 randomly selected households, 20 traders and 4 input suppliers. Both descriptive statistics and econometric model were used for data analysis. The study revealed that the highest value added in barley value chains were about Birr 15.5/quintal. Rural assemblers in barley value chain obtained the highest share of gross profit next to producers. The Tobit regression estimator also revealed that age of the household, education of the household head, quantity of barley produced, use of fertilizer, improved seed used, and extension contact were significantly influencing the quantity of barley market supply. There was also no barley processor actor or that uses barley as a raw material in the barley value chain. Therefore, there is a need to promote agro-processors to be involved in barley processing and marketing.

Gender disparity in utilizing agricultural information affects the agricultural productivity of male and female households. Thus, this study was carried out to examine the gender disparities in utilizating agricultural informaation by small scale farming households in Ambo district. To achieve the objective of the study, both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule, key informant interviews and focus group discussions; and analysed using descriptive satatistics and description. The study revealed that the majority of the farmers rely on informal sources of information from neighbors, friends and colleagues rather than from the extension workers. Particularily, information sources of women did not enable them to get adequate and reliable information. It cloud be attributed to less mobility of women to access information, women responsibilities for household and child-rearing activities and workload. Gender disparity made great difference in using agricultural information for farmers since mostly women are playing a reproductive role. Therefore, improving participation of women farmers in various areas of extension programmes could facilitate empowering farm women for better utilization of agricultural information.

Food security strategy is the major component of the Agricultural Development Led Industry (ADLI) strategy of Ethiopia. So far, no systematic study has been undertaken on food security status of female-headed household in Ambo district. Thus, identifying the determining factors of female-headed households` food security is crucial for pertinent interventions. Accordingly, this study was carried out to identify factors influencing food security of female-headed households. To achieve the objective of the study, cross sectional survey was employed using 104 female-headed households. Structured household survey questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used for data collection, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. The result of binary logistic regression model revealed that age of household head, productive labor force, access to credit, number of oxen owned, use of chemical fertilizer, location of the household, share cropping, livestock holding, participation in social organization and non-farm income were found to be positively and significantly influencing the status of female-headed household food security. The study further indicated that the mean value of the energy available for food insecure and secure households was 1,843 Kcal/AE/day and 2,943 Kcal/AE/day respectively with the mean energy intake of all sample households 2,560 kcal. As female-headed household spent much of what they have for food than male-headed households, female-headed households are engaged in insecure livelihood system. Thus, it necessitates to improve female-headed household`s decision making power, resource allocation and control, access to markets, and asset ownership issues, which is likely to be a more powerful tool for poverty alleviation policies.

Human Immunode Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are among serious health problems and obstacles of the development. Having realized the consequences, Ambo University has been involved in interventions to improve the knowledge, attitude and practices of student community; to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. This study assessed the level of students` knowledge, attitude and practices on the prevention of HIV/AIDS; and identifies the determinants of students’ knowledge, attitude and practice on the prevention of HIV/AIDS at Ambo University. Cross-sectional survey type was used for data collection using questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and observation; and was analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric model. The study considered the undergraduate regular students of Ambo University as a target population of the study. Multistage stratified sampling technique was employed to include respondents in the study from different departments and class year. The findings indicated that respondents were knowledgeable and had positive attitude towards preventing HIV/AIDS, though majority were not practicing HIV prevention methods. The econometric model also revealed that class year, religion, training, PICT, interest for PICT, knowledge, condom accessibility were positively significant in influencing the adoption of HIV prevention methods. Hence, it is recommended that the University, Ambo hospital, anti HIV/AIDS clubs of the University, and the different NGOs working on HIV/AIDS prevention and control should synergistically coordinate their activities to bring the desired behavioral change on the students; and mainstreaming HIV/AIDS issues in different activities of the University.

Active members` participation is crucial for the sustainability of cooperative societies. However, there is no systematic study that reveals the role of members’ participation in enhancing sustainability of cooperative in the study area. This study was conducted to assess the role of members’ participation in provision of resources, in the process of decision-making, and in sharing of benefits to sustain their saving and credit cooperative society. Cross-sectional survey type was used for data collection using questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and observation; and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study reveals that there was no active members’ participation: in provision of resources, in the decision-making processes and in the share benefits. This passive and inconsistent participation of members had a negative impact for the sustainability of cooperative societies. Hence, the cooperative organization needs to strongly work on the improvement of the member participation in all activities and at all levels of cooperatives in order to sustain cooperative societies.

Part of the "Studies in Early Transitions" series, this Working Paper draws on interviews and observations carried out as part of Young Lives, a 15-year longitudinal study of childhood poverty in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam based at the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development. This paper focuses on the challenges of translating into practice the potential of quality early childhood care and education to transform young lives. These include building a positive equity agenda, setting clear policy objectives, raising quality standards, building the skills and motivation of teachers, and recognising where equity goals can be incompatible with a market-led private system. The paper asks which children do and do not have access to an early childhood programme, and explores children’s and parents’ views about the quality of what is on offer.

Part of the "Studies in Early Transitions" series, this Working Paper draws on interviews and observations carried out as part of Young Lives, a 15-year longitudinal study of childhood poverty in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam based at the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development. This paper focuses on the challenges of translating into practice the potential of quality early childhood care and education to transform young lives. These include building a positive equity agenda, setting clear policy objectives, raising quality standards, building the skills and motivation of teachers, and recognising where equity goals can be incompatible with a market-led private system. The paper asks which children do and do not have access to an early childhood programme, and explores children’s and parents’ views about the quality of what is on offer.