ARTICLES ON Development Finance
Development finance: how it works, where it goes, why it’s needed
Development finance addresses the failures or limitations of financial institutions such as commercial and investment banks. It is the invisible glue that connects public and private financing for projects that have social, economic and environmental outcomes.
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Export finance and development finance: How Acre Impact Capital is providing a nexus for convergence
Bringing development finance actors together is key to unlocking sustainable infrastructure growth where it is most vital.
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Trump’s USAID Freeze: A Wake-Up Call for South Africa’s Aid Sector
Kay Lala-Sides, an MPhil Inclusive Innovation graduate and PhD candidate at the UCT Graduate School of Business, examines the impact of Donald Trump’s suspension of USAID funding to South Africa and what it means for local organisations. With donor scrutiny increasing, she highlights the urgent need for stronger governance, strategic fund management, and accountable leadership to ensure aid effectiveness. Can South Africa’s social sector rise to the challenge?
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Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Finance
From navigating infrastructure challenges to meaningful finance, Bruce Jelley shares his experiences and insights about the MCom in Development Finance at the UCT Graduate School of Business, and how it is reshaping the way South African developers approach sustainability.
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The Development Activist
From humble beginnings to pioneering public leadership – Pati Kgomo's journey in development finance started with various positions in local government, progressed to position with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and was honed by a Master’s in Commerce specialising in Development Finance at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Her remarkable achievements are a testament to the power of altruism, education, and a passion for sustainable development.
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Professor Nicholas Biekpe inducted into prestigious UCT College of Fellows
Induction into the UCT College of Fellows is one of the highest accolades an academic staff member can receive. The fellowship is a reward to academic staff members for their years of commitment and dedication to their work.
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UCT team wins Oxford Map the System competition
Following their win at the regional final hosted by the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), Finclusive was awarded first place for their project at the University of Oxford’s (UO) Map the System (MTS) competition, which took place from 17 to 20 June.
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All eyes on DFIs as Africa looks to economic recovery
DFIs can be the catalysts for a stronger and more inclusive continent, but they need to expand their remit to include a focus on SMEs as a key priority.
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The role of development finance in rebuilding South Africa’s economy post-COVID-19
The global COVID-19 pandemic has set back developing countries especially, but it also offers an opportunity to rethink their development path.
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Coronavirus - an excuse to downgrade African countries deep into junk
A number of rating agencies have downgraded emerging market economies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their actions have raised the question: why do so during a crisis?
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Three winning ways to tackle youth unemployment through development finance
Development finance is an underutilised tool that can be directed towards tackling South Africa’s unacceptably high youth unemployment beyond the remit of mainstream finance.
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Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can lead SA’s economic recovery
While government has identified DFIs as a key partner in delivering an economic turnaround — these institutions lack capacity and resources to do their jobs effectively. Fixing this will be a necessity.
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