Obama’s Legacy in Africa – Lacking or Lasting?
President Obama is wheels up to Kenya and Ethiopia. Likely his last trip to the continent as president, Charles Kenny and Todd Moss each take this moment to assess his legacy in Africa thus far—and...
View ArticleLiving “Under the Grid” in Nigeria – New Estimates
Last week, Nigerian President Buhari and President Obama spoke at length in the Oval Office. Much of the discussion focused on defeating Boko Haram and rooting out corruption in Nigeria. Yet, President...
View Article2015 Feed the Future Progress Report Leaves Food for Thought
Launched in response to the 2007-2008 global food price crisis, Feed the Future is the Administration’s flagship initiative for addressing global hunger, food security, and agricultural livelihoods....
View ArticleObama Strikes the Right Tone in Africa
President Obama has concluded what may be his last official trip to Africa. While it was relatively brief, with visits to just two countries, the messages delivered were loud and they were powerful....
View ArticleSenate Re-Introduces the Electrify Africa Act
Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) dropped its long awaited Electrify Africa Act of 2015. It's good news for US development, foreign, and commercial policy in Sub-Saharan Africa....
View ArticleWhat I Hope to Hear in the First GOP Presidential Debate
The Republican presidential primary debate season starts this Thursday evening (August 6). Although the discussion won’t center on global development policy or even foreign policy, if the questions...
View ArticleSDGs + USAID = EEP @ UNGA
Last week USAID, the world’s largest aid agency, released its Vision for Ending Extreme Poverty. That’s right, USAID (an agency not usually known for its foresight and strategic acumen) has already put...
View ArticleHalf an Electrify Africa Bill: Better than None!
Power Africa has the potential to be a game changer for US foreign assistance and for how the United States works with Sub-Saharan Africa. Congressional authorization is needed to solidify Power Africa...
View ArticleCongress Talks MDBs
It was a beautiful, barely-fall Friday in Washington, which made it all the more impressive that twelve members dropped in on a morning House Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on the multilateral...
View ArticleMCC Serves Up a Half-Baked Compact
MCC will soon ask its board of directors to vote on a proposed $473 million second compact for Tanzania. The program focuses on the energy sector, making it a big deliverable for Power Africa. It’s...
View ArticleGayle Smith Confirmed as USAID Administrator: Four Goals for 14 Months
Yesterday the US Senate voted to confirm Gayle Smith as USAID’s new administrator. Despite the rapidly expiring clock on this administration, filling USAID’s top post is critical for both the agency...
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Which Countries Will MCC Pick in FY2016?
It's that time of year again – time for MCC's annual country eligibility decisions. Blog: Rethinking US Development PolicyAuthor(s): Sarah Rose
View ArticleSTOP. Attempting to Overhaul the US Foreign Aid Apparatus is a Trap
The last time Congress overhauled the US foreign assistance apparatus, John F. Kennedy was president. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) made some sweeping changes. There hasn’t been a wholesale...
View ArticleMCC Country Selection—the Results are In
There were no surprises among MCC’s FY2016 picks for country eligibility. What’s noteworthy about these choices is how they reflect the agency’s positioning on some interesting operational...
View ArticleFY2016 Omnibus – Naughty or Nice?
While you might not know it from the weather, there’s at least one sure sign it’s December in DC. No, we’re not referring to the oversized and ornamented evergreens on the Capitol and White House...
View ArticleA USG Development Policy Wish List for 2016
2015 was widely expected to be a landmark year for development. See here for a video round-up of our fellows' views on what happened. Now, 2016, is when the rubber will (start to) hit the road...
View ArticleCongress Passes the Electrify Africa Act…Finally
Last night the House of Representatives passed the Electrify Africa Act. They followed the Senate, which passed the same bill by unanimous consent last December. Yes, amazingly enough, Congress has...
View ArticleChanges at the Rethink Initiative
After two and a half great years as director of CGD’s Rethinking US Development Policy initiative, I’m handing over the reins to my colleague Scott Morris. Many of you will know Scott as a CGD Senior...
View ArticleA Billion Dollar Budget for MCC?
Will MCC finally be a billion dollar agency again? The President’s FY2017 budget request hopes to boost the agency out of the $900 million(ish) rut it’s been in for the last six years. Blog: Rethinking...
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