Such high budgets have the potential to catalyse far-reaching change in the global south. ODA procurement can build local supply chains for essential goods and services such as food and medicines; it can incentivise local companies to act in equitable, socially responsible and environmentally sensitive ways; and it can start a chain reaction of local economic growth by getting vital cash into the hands of small businesses in the global south.

However, ‘tied’ ODA procurement, which requires goods and services to be sourced from companies in the donor country, puts the commercial priorities of firms based in rich countries before development impact.

Click to read the full report: Development, untied: Unleashing the catalytic power of Official Development Assistance through renewed action on untying