Business in development
Businesses are playing an increasing role in development. This review assesses how well the Department for International Development (DFID) is working with and through businesses to benefit people living in poverty.
Summary
Businesses are playing an increasing role in development. Collaboration between business and aid agencies has the potential to deliver major benefits for the poor and the Department for International Development’s (DFID) growing portfolio of work with businesses recognises this important opportunity.
This review assesses how well DFID is working with and through businesses to achieve a range of development objectives that benefit the poor. These objectives include economic growth, human development, environmental sustainability and humanitarian assistance. The review focusses on DFID’s engagement with British and overseas businesses that are themselves contributing as partners in development, not as contractors. We have not reviewed organisations that have recently been reviewed by the NAO or ICAI or are due to be reviewed by them.
As a result of our findings, we have given a rating of amber-red and made five recommendations.