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Grant Dependency is Undermining Global Development: Here’s a Fundamentally New Architecture for Funding NGOs
Across the Global South, NGOs often function as the default conduits for addressing key development challenges in remote and marginalized populations. But as long-time development sector advisor Rajat Ray argues, these systemic problems cannot be solved by organizations that are perpetually teetering on the edge of financial suffocation, propped up by short-term, project-based grants. He explains how the survival tactics NGOs adopt to navigate this funding dilemma end up warping their operations and perpetuating some of the sector's biggest shortcomings. In response, he proposes an entirely new funding model — the “Diminishing Grant Framework” — that treats self-reliance not as an aspiration, but as a mandatory financial milestone.
- Categories
- Investing
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African Development Bank and Government of Rwanda Launch $300 Million Energy Sector Results-Based Financing II Program Co-Financed With Aiib to Accelerate Universal Energy Access
The performance-based financing approach links disbursements to independently verified results to strengthen electricity transmission and distribution networks, improve grid reliability, and expand on-grid and off-grid connections among other targets.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Global Energy Alliance and World Bank Group Partner to Expand Productive Use of Energy Across Africa
As access expands, the next challenge is ensuring that electricity supports livelihoods and economic activity across households, businesses and communities.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Global
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The Rockefeller Foundation and Temasek Trust Announce Global Coalition for Nuclear Philanthropy
GCNP aims to mobilize and coordinate philanthropic capital to accelerate efficient, safe, secure, and equitable nuclear energy deployment globally — 0.1%-0.2% of climate philanthropy currently goes towards it.
- Region
- South Asia
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Mastercard and Banco Sol Strengthen Collaboration to Drive SME Growth in Angola
This collaboration strategically leverages Mastercard's dedication to fostering financial inclusion through innovative payment solutions and Banco Sol's commitment to strengthening small businesses in underserved communities.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Anthropic, Gates Foundation Launch $200 Million Partnership for AI in Health and Education
The news follows a $50 million pact that the Gates Foundation and OpenAI announced in January to support 1,000 African clinics and communities with AI by 2028.
- Categories
- Education, Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Global
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British International Investment Partners with Ecobank DRC to Expand Sustainable Financing for SMEs in the DRC
The facility will target sectors critical to the country’s economic development, job creation and more resilient supply chains in the real economy, including agriculture and agro‑processing, industrial, infrastructure, climate‑aligned projects and renewable energy, as well as local entrepreneurship.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Ecobank, Proparco Partner to Mobilise €300 Million for Agriculture, Women-Led Businesses in Africa
Under the arrangement, Proparco Groupe AFD will provide financial instruments, including partial portfolio guarantees, co-financing, and trade finance support, to help Ecobank Group increase lending to agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises across 33 African countries.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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