Nora Kokaj

Nora Kokaj is an applied economist experienced in economic policy research, public financial management, and tax policy and administration. She currently leads the public financial management improvement component of the Chemonics-implemented USAID Kosovo Economic Governance Activity. She previously served as an economic policy officer for the European Union Office in Kosovo, as well as an…

Creativity and Innovation Can Save the Day

With today’s incredible advancements in technology, medicine, and industry, there has never been a better time in history to be alive. Yet universal gaps in income and wellbeing persist to a staggering degree, especially compared to the relative wealth and resources generated by the world economy. According to reporting by the World Economic Forum, the richest…

Global Change Requires Local Leadership

This post originally appeared in Foreign Policy’s April Issue. Mert Tangonan was stuck. It was 2017, and Tangonan, a native of the Philippines, wanted to persuade the country’s largest banks to accept digital payments. With 99% of the transactions conducted in cash or checks across the nation’s 7,000 islands, the banks had little incentive to…

Fostering an Investment-Friendly Climate in Pakistan

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…

Why Building Strong Local Finance Skills and Systems is Key to Making Good on the Glasgow Climate Pact

From reversing deforestation to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, COP26’s commitments unlocked new pathways for the development community to spur climate action. However, the success of these financial and policy commitments depends on climate-vulnerable countries’ ability to attract and deploy climate finance effectively. Underdeveloped fund management systems and limited financial expertise are common roadblocks…

3 Building Blocks for Mobilizing Inclusive Climate Finance

The private sector, recognizing the economic threat and global calls to climate action, has mobilized corporate pledges to avert climate disaster and bridge the nearly $4 trillion financing gap for climate financing by 2030. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), nearly 500 global financial services firms agreed to align $130 trillion – some…

Navigating Enterprise-Destroying Pitfalls in SME Assistance

The elusive quest for economic growth is one of much trial and error. Its complexity is multiplied when considering the concurrent goals of resilience, inclusion, sustainability, and being broad-based and private-sector led. Forming an evidence-based and multi-sectoral strategy tackling this very problem is the herculean task that USAID’s latest economic growth policy faces. Even with a great strategy…

Creating a Dynamic Environment for Research and Innovation Across Africa

Flourishing research and innovation systems spur inclusive economic growth and development. The Research and Information Systems in Africa (RISA) Fund is a multi-country project, funded by the UK, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), to support research and innovation systems strengthening in Africa. RISA supports and strengthens research and innovation systems in six…

Mobilising Capital Toward the Sustainable Development Goals

Even before COVID-19 hit, financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was falling $2.5 trillion (USD) short. The OECD’s Global Outlook 2021 report suggests that the annual SDG financing gap in developing countries could have increased by a further $1.7 trillion, or nearly 70%, in 2020. The finance needed to meet the SDGs represents only…

Mobilist Factsheet 2021

Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures (MOBILIST) works to help public listed markets play a more significant role in development and climate financing.

Guiding Principles for Integrating the Private Sector in Democracy and Governance

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…