Development Finance International
18 February - Debt Sustainability Framework Review Roundtable
DFI participated in a roundtable meeting organised in London by the UK Department for International Development on the forthcoming review of the LIC-Debt Sustainability Framework by the BWIs, and presented the findings of its paper on priorities for the review of the DSF. Another study completed in 2015 on priorities for debt issues in the FfD process has also been cleared by DFID for release.
17 February - Resilience and the Role of Fiscal Policies and Institutions in SSA
A new paper by the IMF examines the role of fiscal policies and institutions in building resilience in sub-Saharan African countries. Based on the analysis of a sample of 26 countries from the region over the 1990-2013 period, the report finds that raising tax revenues and a higher spending in social sectors create conditions favourable to economic resilience.
This correlation is further examined through case studies of 7 fragile countries (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda) with a history of conflict or civil unrest, illustrating how they were able to build resilience and exit fragility.
1-2 February - Oxfam Inequality and Fiscal Justice Capacity Building, Bangkok
DFI facilitated a regional capacity-building workshop for Oxfam International Asia, training around 30 staff on analyzing fiscal justice to combat inequality. The training covered anti-inequality government spending (using the GSW database) and anti-inequality tax policy (using a new GSW tax database), and helped participants to define priorities for regional and country strategies to campaign for fiscal justice.
26 January - International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity
DFI participated in a British Academy International Forum with the secretariat of the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity (chaired by Gordon Brown). Based on its work for GSW, GCE and UNESCO, DFI presented its views for priorities in mobilizing financing for education during the SDG period, and will be continuing to work with the secretariat over the next few months, making inputs on spending patterns and debt issues.
10 December - WaterAid’s New Report: “Releasing the Flow”
Based on research by Development Finance International, the WaterAid’s new report “Releasing the Flow” concentrates on the capacity to use available funds for water and sanitation in five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa - Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. The research suggests that effective leadership from government – at national, regional and local level – is a key factor for success.
In all case studies there is evidence that strong political will has translated into positive action on absorption of funds, greater transparency and improved water and sanitation services for people and communities. Other critical factors include the availability of skilled human resources, the balance between recurrent and capital funding for local government, and the quality of co-ordination and communication between major stakeholders.
You can also download the DFI global study.
