Development Initiatives

Written by: Daniel Coppard

ODA to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was at an all time high in 2008 at $37 billion1. This continues an upward trend since 2000, driven especially by growth in HIV/AIDS spending and in humanitarian assistance. SSA is maintaining its customary share of growing ODA, but will fall short of the 2010 target by around $17 billion. In 2008 ODA to SSA was 0.09% of DAC donor GNI.

Government revenues have shown impressive growth (tripling since 2002) but have fallen by 5% of GDP in 2009.

What needs to happen on ODA to sustain progress on poverty?

The programme can be viewed here

Q. How many statisticians does it take to change a light bulb?
A. That depends, it’s really a matter of power.

There was a great turnout for Development Initiatives fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton last week. Chaired by Hugh Bailey the head of the APPG on Africa, the panel of speakers were invited to address the question of how to use aid to reach the poorest of the poor.

We’re just back from a successful Fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference in Bournemouth.

The Fringe was chaired by Olly Buston from ONE/Data. Olly reminded everyone of the importance of keeping Britain on target to achieve the 0.7% of GNI that it has repeatedly committed to set aside for development assistance. But he also pointed out that the qualitative aspects of aid delivery are just as important as the quantity of aid given.