A non-profit organisation dedicated to integrating the development finance system into global capital markets.

Through applied research, field work and advocacy the Centre for Development Finance Studies identifies and disseminates practical solutions for further integrating the development finance system of institutions into global capital markets.

The CDFS is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and the Gates Foundation.

About us

The Centre for Development Finance Studies is a non-profit organisation dedicated to applied research, field work and advocacy in the field of development finance.

The CDFS works to shape a future where the development finance system harnesses the reach and scale of the global capital markets to dramatically increase the participation of private capital for the 2030 Global Goals.

The CDFS Method

The CDFS acts as a knowledge resource for decision makers, leveraging the best available capital markets expertise to identify and disseminate practical solutions for unlocking the full potential of development finance.

The CDFS systematically applies a three-stage approach to generate accelerated development through capital markets:

Bringing change to any system requires a sustained and resilient effort.
There is no solution without adoption.
CDFS workstreams thus far:
Latest Publication

A New Lens on SME Mobilisation:How to Maximise Private CapitalFlows to SMEs

This study reveals that private capital mobilisation for SMEs by DFIs is not happening in the way that it is usually accounted for and measured. Low mobilisation levels are reported at the point of investment but substantial private capital is being mobilised downstream. The report introduces a new concept: “secondary mobilisation”, and offers a practical roadmap by which to recognise, track, and scale this phenomenon.