The UN is reinventing its finances
24/8/2026: Deep cuts to aid budgets implemented by several major donor countries represent not simply a temporary funding shortfall but a structural challenge to global development. Across the UN system, agencies are experimenting with new financing models to mobilize additional capital.
Source: Devex
Why has microfinance failed to live up to its promise?
19/8/2026: Microfinance was once celebrated as Asia’s tool to lift people out of poverty, designed to provide financial services to low income people typically excluded from traditional banking. The stark reality is that, in addition to capital, entrepreneurs need skills and a sound business concept.
Source: The Conversation
An agenda for philanthropy’s investment into AI for good
18/8/2026: In late 2025, 10 of the largest US foundations committed $500 million over five years to explore what artificial intelligence could do to deliver human-centered goals. Funding now needs to take the next step of identifying what AI should do.
Source: Devex
Ambitious Global Tax Treaty remains within reach
13/8/2026: As the fifth round of negotiations concludes, the draft text of a UN Global Tax Treaty is moving towards a fairer allocation of tax on multinational profits between countries. Negotiations will continue until mid-2027.
Source: Greenpeace International
China influence has reshaped development finance conditions in Africa
13/8/2026: At the beginning of the twenty-first century, most foreign aid and investment flowing into Africa came from Europe and North America with explicit conditions attached. Since then Chinese financing and investment has shown less concern as to how African countries govern themselves.
Source: African Arguments
Aid cuts compel Malawi lawmakers to ‘think outside the box’
10/8/2026: External financing has historically accounted for more than half of Malawi’s health expenditure. Cuts in foreign aid from US, UK and Europe have compelled a rethink about domestic resources. Curbing corruption and reforming tax are candidates for action.
Source: Devex
UN tax convention could clear IMF debt for poorest countries
2/8/2026: The latest draft of the UN tax convention under discussion would require multinationals to pay tax where they actually create profit, instead of where they choose through creative accounting. Low income countries might be able to clear outstanding IMF loans within a year.
Source: Tax Justice Network
Aid is being replaced by investment, a dangerous mistake
15/6/2026: The executive director of Oxfam International deplores the deepest cuts in foreign aid on record, precisely as billionaire wealth reaches record highs. Forcing aid to serve the interests of both the donor and recipient country, whilst relying on private finance to fill the gaps. is a flawed strategy.
Source: Devex
The debt crisis is worse than we thought
21/4/2026: A report published by ONE Data concludes that the cost of borrowing for African countries has almost doubled between 2020 and 2024. Some countries have been locked out of capital markets altogether. Attention to the debt crisis has been overtaken by the Iran war and the collapse of USAID.
Source: Devex
Jubilee US chief optimistic Trump administration will tackle debt crisis
21/4/2026: The executive director of the Jubilee USA Network says the White House has an appetite for helping poorer countries restructure their debt. He cites comments by US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent.
Source: Devex