A 21st century DFI should not be content with being a "financier" but should aim to also be a "mobilizer".
Measuring development impacts and outcomes, and attributing results to investments is inherently complex. The best strategy is to take a pragmatic approach to attribution and be transparent about assumption.
To move the needle in complex areas, like gender equality and women's economic empowerment, there is a need to think in terms of "making markets" and fundamentally shaping incentives along with likeminded partners.
The proliferation of technology and data are trends that make it a challenge for any DFI to be 'future-ready'. To seize the opportunities, a21st century DFI needs to borrow from the ethos and DNA of a 'data company'.
Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment is a key theme of the upcoming G7 Summit in Charlevoix, QC (June 8-9). There is a need to carefully examine evidence about impact and be prepared to select only the most promising approaches. Donors need to be flexible with their funding models, help partner countries select projects from the ‘menu’ which suit their local situations, and seek to strategically combine interventions.
CIDP's summary and takeaways from May 24 event,
Free Trade in Africa: Opportunities for Canada, presented by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and Global Affairs Canada.
