Kick-starting more inclusive economic development processes in the world’s poorest countries is one of the most important remaining challenges in international development. However, because of the way politics works, it is also one of the most difficult. This is a reason for international development agencies to get involved. But it also means any support must be politically smart.

To be politically smart, support to economic development needs to be targeted, flexible and adaptive. It should also be funded at arm’s length, so nationals of the country can lead the main reform effort. Recent initiatives supported by DFID in Nepal and Nigeria show how this approach can be operationalised and illustrate its substantial potential.

This event examines lessons from two new ODI publications, a report edited by David Booth and co-authored with DFID economists and governance advisers, and an ODI Insights policy brief on economic development, and is followed by a networking lunch.