Libya’s remote and historically underserved Fezzan region has endured a decade of ethnic conflict. Moreover, the area has also been the hardest hit by a country-wide liquidity crisis. The vacuum created by instability has been filled by the underground economy. Smuggling has become the economic lifeblood of the region as tribes have exploited the country’s…
Climate change is a global crisis that threatens every aspect of economic growth. Since enterprises are drivers of economic growth, applying market-based approaches that use business models and market forces to address development and humanitarian challenges more sustainably and at scale is essential for building climate-resilient and sustainable economies. Market-based approaches will need strong collaboration across technical sectors and market actors,…
There is increasing pressure on International Finance Institutions (IFI) and Development Finance Institutions (DFI) to drive market additionality and creation in lower-income countries and emerging market economies. These institutions regard market creation as key to closing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) financing gap. Market creation requires development finance actors to invest in small- and early-stage…
Over more than the past decade, Jordan has faced several external shocks that affected its economic growth. The global financial crisis in 2009 slowed economic activity, and regional conflicts disrupted trade routes with key partners, including Turkey and the European Union. Additionally, in 2011, Egypt’s natural gas supplies were interrupted and, most recently, the COVID-19…
The Pakistan Investment Promotion Activity (IPA) is funded by USAID to support investment in Pakistan by attracting investors, assisting their entry and establishment in the country, securing their retention, and fostering links internally. The activity has four principal objectives. These include addressing the business-enabling regulatory environment for investment promotion, reforming institutional policies including the ease…
Flourishing research and innovation systems spur inclusive economic growth and development. The Research and Information Systems in Africa (RISA) Fund aims to expand and reinforce national research and innovation systems in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania. From strengthening intellectual property systems to turning academic research into technology products and businesses, RISA works…
The intractable challenges associated with effective, sustainable, fully financed service delivery and community improvement require a more comprehensive approach to financing. Budget shortfalls, misused public funds, and the absence of innovative and responsive policies also erode trust in democratic systems in a world increasingly contending with nondemocratic movements. This blog post examines the merits of…
Abundant natural resources, dynamic energy and agricultural markets, and a free market economy with few limits on foreign investment make Uganda a potentially attractive market for investors. With no shortage of domestic and foreign capital resources, the country is also seeing the emergence of business development and transactions advisory services that match investors with investees…
In the global context of the COVID-19 pandemic, new consumer trends and digitization are reshaping markets and firms. Several high-potential economic sectors in Moldova have an opportunity to pivot their recovery and emerge from the pandemic stronger and more successful than before. The Moldova Future Technologies Activity (FTA), funded by USAID and Sweden continues the…
USAID’s Investment Facilitation Activity in the DRC (USAID Invest) is a five-year program that aims at fostering private investments into the DRC by operating as an investment facilitation platform, providing support to businesses and investors. The Activity seeks to mobilize $100 million in private capital to the DRC between March 2021 and February 2026. Reach…