Blog - Center for International Private Enterprise

Four Ways to Strengthen Women’s Economic Empowerment Programs

Can women’s empowerment programs cause meaningful change? On March 26, 2018, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) facilitated a webinar with partners and participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to discuss this question. Raja’ Hamayel, the Chair of the ...

What Can Be Done to Effectively Combat Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls?

We live in the era of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which allow people around the world to connect, network, and exchange ideas in a way that was not possible before. This opens endless opportunities for communication, as well new dangers and challenges. Just like in the real w...

Curbing Illicit Trade is the Key to Bolstering the Philippines’ Economy

Illicit trade hurts economies and undermines democracies, leading to unemployment, price distortions, bankruptcy of local industries, and reduced government tax collection. In the Philippines, smuggling is the most prevalent form of illicit trade due to weak law enforcement and the difficulty of mo...

Public-Private Partnership Equips Young People with In-Demand Technical Skills

Brazil is still recovering from the worst recession in its history. The debilitating two-year slowdown that ended in 2017 left 14 million people unemployed—mainly young workers. But the country’s oldest public-private partnership may be able to counter youth unemployment by supplying busine...

Why Companies in Emerging Markets Should Prioritize Data Privacy

In the wake of recent news regarding improper use of online consumer information, many businesses, governments, and civil society organizations are questioning what responsibilities companies of all sizes have to protect user data. Data privacy is a universal issue affecting citizens and the privat...

Expanding Opportunity for Small Businesses in the Green Building Sector in Jordan

The Jordan Green Building Council strengthens the green building sector in Jordan by providing its members with expertise and networks crucial for success. CIPE’s work described in this story was made possible by a grant from USAID LENS to support and upgrade the services of business associations ...

Bridging Jordan’s Gender Gap

While the men’s workforce participation rate in Jordan is roughly 87%, the rate for women is only 22%. The contrast is stark, but the cause is less obvious. Although cultural expectations partially explain this gap (Jordanian women are much less likely to continue working after getting married an...

Applications for Blockchain Technology from an Egyptian Perspective

Blockchain technology, often labeled as the “fourth revolution,” is set to change our lives. Developing countries, such as Egypt, could be the biggest winners of this revolution. It offers us – the people, the government, and businesses – an unprecedented opportunity to improve the q...

Emerging Blockchain Technologies Have the Potential to Transform Society

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies have dominated the news in recent months as their values have skyrocketed. However, blockchain, the technology underlying cryptocurrencies, is equally worthy of hype. Many actors from both the private and public sectors are quickly recognizing blockchai...

Helping Women Start and Grow Businesses in Jordan

The Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women Helps Women Establish and Grow Successful Businesses in Jordan. CIPE’s work described in this story was made possible by a grant from USAID LENS to support and upgrade the services of business associations in Jordan to better serve their micro ...