Resource information
This study explores the changing
opportunities for children in Africa. While the definition
of opportunities can be subjective and depend on the
societal context, this report focuses on efforts to build
future human capital, directly (through education and health
investments) and indirectly (through complementary
infrastructure such as safe water, adequate sanitation,
electricity, and so on). It follows the practice of earlier
studies conducted for the Latin America and the Caribbean
(LAC) region (Barros et al. 2009, 2012) where
opportunities are basic goods and services that constitute
investments in children. Although several opportunities are
relevant at different stages of an individual s life, our
focus on children s access to education, health services,
safe water, and adequate nutrition is due to the well-known
fact that an individual s chance of success in life is
deeply influenced by access to these goods and services
early in life. Children s access to these basic services
improves the likelihood of a child being able to maximize
his/her human potential and pursue a life of dignity.
