A systematic review on the hurdles to poverty alleviation and sustainable rural development initiatives in Southern Africa

The current development trajectory in developing countries suggests that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to alleviate poverty in all its forms, may not be achieved by 2030 without deliberate efforts. The incidence of poverty has increased in many developing countries, with the situation worsening among rural dwellers than their urban counterparts. This systematic review explores the hurdles to achieving poverty alleviation and sustainable rural development in Southern Africa, taking Tanzania and Malawi as a reference point. The study employed the PRISMA procedures to guide the selection of related articles for review. The findings indicate that, despite notable progress achieved through initiatives such as social and conditional cash transfers, as well as investment in agriculture, both countries still face significant structural and institutional barriers. Hurdles such as overdependence on agriculture, health challenges, limited access to education, poor governance and corruption, rapid population growth, slow technology adoption, and political uncertainty and policy changes hinder the promotion of rural development and poverty alleviation. The study emphasises the importance of addressing these challenges and developing a multidimensional, actor-inclusive approach to integrate social, institutional, and environmental factors in combating poverty. The study further informs policymakers and development partners on designing more effective rural development strategies to align with the 2030 SDGs and Africa's Development Agenda 2063.