Policy Reports
Beijing’s Bid to Secure Overseas Transition Minerals
We thank John Custer, Sarina Patterson, and Alex Wooley for the editing, formatting, and graphic design of the final report; Lea Thome for comments on an earlier version of this report; Sasha Trubetskoy for cartographic support; and Brook Lautenslager for data management software support. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Guyu (Emily) Yang and Hazel Vineet for helping to construct the dataset that made this study possible.
This study provides myth-busting evidence about the changing nature, scale, and scope of China’s overseas development program
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we do not find that Beijing’s annual lending and grant-giving to the developing world has plummeted to nearly zero. It remains the world’s single largest official source of international development finance. We document the specific measures that China is taking to manage three different types of risk in its overseas project portfolio: (1) repayment risk, (2) environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk, and (3) reputational risk.
In recent years, China’s aspiration for global technology leadership has driven its significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) for national security, economic growth, and societal well-being
Although there is increasing research and analysis on China’s domestic AI development ecosystems and drivers, the details of China’s development-financed AI exports remain elusive. Despite being the single-largest provider of foreign development assistance, Beijing does not participate in aid or debt transparency initiatives. To address this gap, we develop a new dataset on China’s AI export projects to examine the distribution, technology, financing, and data safety dimensions of China’s AI exports, with a particular focus on East Africa and South Asia.
Global insights with national implications: AidData’s policy engagements on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
This brief analyzes China's financial influence on public-private infrastructure projects in Pakistan and its role in Pakistan's long-term economic transformation. To create a secure economic future, leaders in Pakistan can benefit from formulating a better vision, involving local stakeholders, and prioritizing business in Pakistan.
Is Beijing a Predatory Lender?
This report analyzes the impact and intention of Beijing's programs under the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the Entebbe International Airport Upgrading and Expansion Project. It is concluded that Beijing sets financial conditions to benefit Chinese lenders and developing countries need to be careful when collaborating with China on development projects.
Background paper prepared for the Global Education Monitoring Report
Pakistan has experienced growth in education technology since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a serious lack of data collection on ancillary services in public education. This paper analyzes ancillary services markets and suggests increased government involvement in introducing regulatory frameworks to counter market fragmentation and shift the burden away from private ancillary services.
Banking on the Belt and Road: Insights from a new global dataset of 13,427 Chinese Development Projects
The dataset for China's international development analyzes finance across 18 years during its reign as a key financer for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They provide insights about Chinese debt in LMICs, including an underreported debt amounting to approximately $385 billion and problems in implementation with 35% of BRI projects.
Stimulating the Urban Economy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: From Infrastructure Investments to Social Welfare
This policy note focuses on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's economic policy strategy and highlights the challenges in KP's path to improved economic security. The publication also offers key recommendations, including urban investments, policy coordination, service delivery, land-use planning, and reclaiming Peshawar as an economic hub.
Gender Based Violence on Public transportation: A Review of Evidence and Existing Solutions
This policy brief addresses gender-based violence in public transport in developing countries by explaining different types and patterns of abuse women experience and their impact on their well-being. In the end, they suggest USAID support the mainstreaming of female mobility, improve GBD prevention and response toolkits, and increase evidence-based interventions in transport.
Challenges and Opportunities for Urban Women’s Economic Empowerment
This document highlights the importance of women's participation in the economy. They find that Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) pillars to achieve women's economic empowerment need more direction. Women can use enabling policies to expand entrepreneurship, resulting in inclusive economic growth.
Peshawar’s Historic Walled City: Firms, Mobility and Public Services
The walled city of Peshawar is experiencing urbanization without adequate or quality policymaking. The policy brief discovers that Peshawar needs governance reforms, infrastructure renovation immediately, and the involvement of international development agencies and policymakers in the future.
Institutionalizing Urban Resilience
In this research report, Martin et al. contribute to the field of urban resilience by monitoring and evaluating the 100 Resilient Cities project.
Can cities become more resilient? Improving flood management through improved governance, private sector partnerships and open data
This report cites four approaches to achieve climate resilience and flood management in urban settings: proper governance of city operations, communication with neighboring jurisdictions, partnerships with the private sector, and utilizing open data sharing for better administration.
How Climate Change and Environmental Degradation Hurts Women More Than Men in Slums of South Asia
This policy brief describes the impact of climate change on gender in slums in South Asian countries of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Women experience a disproportionate burden of environmental degradation and control fewer resources than men in South Asian slums.
More Data, Better Policies? Dealing with Migration Challenges of 2050
The World Bank projects the movement of millions of people in a climate-caused wave of global migration by 2050. In this article, Dr. Malik highlights one way to deal with the imminent migration challenge: to analyze large volumes of available digital data to develop partnerships and long-term sustainable solutions.
The Potential for Partnerships to Advance Indonesia’s Leadership in International Development Cooperation
This report supports USAID and the Government of Indonesia in improving Indonesia's international development cooperation. The report concludes with suggestions, including increasing external consultation and sharpening Indonesian interests in South-South Cooperation policy and programming.
