DEVELOPMENTS BLOG

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.