Podcast
Written by Sara Pantuliano, Alejandro Botero, Chris Humphrey, Admassu Tadesse
Development finance is no longer just about aid. It’s about power, priorities, and who gets to decide.
For decades, institutions like the World Bank and IMF have set the agenda, with high-income countries holding the reins. But a shift is underway. Southern-led multilateral development banks (MDBs) – where borrowing nations are also the majority shareholders – are rewriting the rules.
These banks, like CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) Group, bring something different to the table: speed, flexibility, and a laser focus on local needs. But they also face hurdles: higher borrowing costs, limited global visibility, and the challenge of financing a just climate transition in economies still grappling with poverty.
With the Spring Meetings taking place later this month, this episode dives into the rise of these institutions. Are they the future of development finance? Can they complement – or even challenge – traditional MDBs? And what reforms are needed to unlock their full potential?
A round-up of our Spring Meetings events, experts and resources.
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Chief Executive
Director of Strategy and Development, CAF
Senior Research Associate
Group President and Managing Director, TDB Group
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