This volume is a collection of studies on poverty and well-being, vulnerability to poverty, women’s empowerment and smallholders’ efficiency in selected African countries. It has a collection of 12 empirical studies that have an overall focus on poverty, well-being and vulnerability to poverty and includes contributions by 19 authors. The studies aim at increasing our knowledge about the factors that influence poverty and well-being. This is important as it can help alleviate many of the persistent challenges observed across Africa. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.