Publication Archive

Borrowers in developing countries often have restricted access to capital because risk-averse financial institutions refuse to look beyond their overall country risk profiles.  The Development Credit Authority (DCA) developed by USAID presents an innovative solution.…

Crop insurance programs aim to redistribute risk and reduce agricultural sector volatility, helping to mitigate the many environmental and market risks that impact farmers’ incomes. This note examines the potential benefits of crop insurance programs…

This note sets out the role of the United States export-import bank, the official US export credit agency, and explores the significance of its role in filling gaps in international trade finance.

The Caribbean presents a vulnerable combination of several very small states and a propensity to major natural catastrophes such as hurricanes. This combination spurred the creation of the world’s first multi-country risk pool. The Caribbean…

Traditionally many business management tools were the preserve of public corporations and multinationals.  Now, as a result of the IFC small and medium enterprise (SME) toolkit initiative, tools such as business plan generators, website builders,…

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) aims to deliver assistance to underdeveloped countries with a focus on good policy, country ownership and developmental results. This note describes how MCC forms partnerships with highly underdeveloped countries and…

Impediments to foreign direct investment are a key constraint for developing countries seeking economic growth and poverty reduction. For many developing countries, political risk is one of the most significant impediments within this category. The…

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the US government’s developmental finance arm, mobilizes private capital to simultaneously solve global challenges and advance US foreign policy. This note considers how OPIC helps US businesses unlock emerging…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging and transition markets often struggle to attract capital, although SMEs typically generate countries’ largest source of employment, goods and services. Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF) provides such enterprises…

This note reviews special economic zones, the variety of fiscal and economic regimes that govern them, and the potential they offer governments. It considers how they can stimulate foreign investment, regional development, technology transfer, foreign…

The Homestrings investment firm raises equity and debt capital to target emerging and frontier markets. It aims to offer diaspora populations from the developing world access to funds and projects with development potential that were…