DEVELOPMENTS BLOG

Developments is DAI’s newsletter. News and feature articles, opinion pieces, and interviews highlight DAI projects and offer insight into global development issues of the day.

Adapting for Impact: How Last-Mile Agribusiness Models Evolved to Serve Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda

The SMILES project is encouraging companies to test and refine models suited to refugee contexts, demonstrating how adaptive business models can thrive in challenging environments through processes rooted in continuous listening and learning alongside the communities served.

Developments

luke kozumbo, Lead Economist

6 days ago | 6 min read

The New Economics of U.S. Energy: Connecting Trade Policy, Labor Shifts, and Growth

U.S. trade and immigration policies are reshaping the competitive environment and labor market for American energy companies. Here, we assess the long-run economic effects of these policies in tandem—effects both on the U.S. national economy and specific U.S. industries.

Developments

danielle boulton, Project Director, Global Health

1 month ago | 8 min read

In Nigeria, Governments Embrace PFM as Key to Unlocking Climate Finance

The Partnership for Agile Governance & Climate Engagement (PACE) is taking a systems approach to facilitate reform and strengthen Nigeria’s resilience to climate threats, including launching the Guide to Accessing Climate Finance— a practical tool to assess governments’ “readiness”.

Recent Articles

Guarantee Fund Set to Unlock NPR 8 Billion in SME Financing

Inadequate access to finance remains a serious impediment to growth for SMEs in Nepal. But the Udaya Guarantee Fund, a catalytic fund of 600 million Nepalese rupees, promises to unlock 8 billion Nepalese rupees in loans from partner commercial banks.

arun rana

1 month ago 4 min read

Thinking and Working Politically to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows and Serious and Organised Crime

Investment in tackling illicit finance is an important mechanism to protect donor countries from threats. Here, we share three lessons learned from the Tackling Illicit Financial Flows (TIFF) project that demonstrate the importance of thinking and working politically for sustainable impact.

emma kerr

1 month ago 7 min read

Financial Services, MSD, and Resilience: Case Studies from East Africa

Can financial services and the broader financial market ecosystem help build climate resilience among marginalised communities? Our new paper explores how the application of innovative financing models, the development of digital ecosystems, and institutional collaboration are building resilience.

anne brady, naomi somerville large, james naughton

1 month ago 5 min read

Shaping the Future of Data Center Development: A Strategic Playbook for Local Governments

The U.S. data center market presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for local governments to attract investment and shape how it advances long-term community priorities. We’ve developed a four-part strategy for maximizing benefits on all sides.

sara hiller, anthony jones

2 months ago 11 min read

Adapting the Agent Model for Clean Energy Access in Uganda’s Refugee Settlements

Experience from the SMILES project shows that energy solutions in fragile settings don’t fail for lack of demand; they fail when business models don’t adapt. One promising pathway is the agent model, but only when it is carefully adapted to context.

stephen anecho

3 months ago 10 min read

Translating Practice into Learning: Patrick Henry on Leading DAI Local Content Masterclasses

When Patrick Henry leads a DAI Local Content Masterclass, he doesn’t just explain what works, but why it works. With decades of experience in project implementation and supply chain development, Henry ensures each course is grounded in what’s workable rather than theoretical.

communications team

3 months ago 7 min read