Our expertise draws on our research capability and tradition of high quality, independent advice to partners around the globe. All work is delivered through ODI’s unique combination of world-class researchers and our network of associates and consultants - all experts in developing relevant and bespoke solutions.
Relevant public financial advice
As well as general public financial management support, we offer extensive advice on intergovernmental fiscal relations and capacity development in lower tiers of Government. We also offer timely support on cash and debt management, aid co-ordination and tools and techniques to strengthen the transparency of Government operations. We also have a growing capability on increasing revenue flows through the provision of policy advice and implementation support.
Recently we have also supported service delivery financing, particularly with the reliable delivery of support to decentralised health units - an increasingly important area given the impact of the COVID pandemic.
ODI will continue to focus on the areas described above as well as drawing on interdisciplinary expertise on climate finance, the management of risk, economic support, social protection and digitalisation.
Tailored solutions
Since 2010 ODI has supported Ministries of Finance in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We currently have active programmes of support in Liberia, Mali, Uganda, and Sudan.
We have seen increasing demand for support in managing resource flows to lower tiers of government, for which we have ongoing work with the Government of Uganda. There is also a demand for support on revenue mobilisation in countries with natural resources, particularly in West Africa where we advise the tax administrations of Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Mali on taxation and tax auditing in the extractive sector.
ODI focuses on building coalitions of government and development partner stakeholders around appropriate solutions. These are informed by in-depth knowledge of national contexts and research in other countries. Our approach is flexible, iterative and politically informed, making us well placed to work alongside and facilitate governments to identify and promote customised solutions to problems that might pose challenges to other, more conventional assistance programmes.
Results-oriented programme budgeting and cash management
We are working with the Ministry of Finance in Mali to consolidate the ongoing reforms on budget execution and assist the Budget Directorate and Line Ministries with the implementation of results-oriented programme budgeting. Specifically, we support the implementation of new budget procedures between the different stakeholders.
Our team is also accompanying, in partnership with the local IMF team, the Ministries in the design and implementation of budget commitment plans and other forecasting tools to better forecast spending and manage cash in a more proactive way.