Why Partner?

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GDA PartnersThe relationship between Official Development Assistance (ODA) and private flows into the developing world has reversed in recent decades, and the latest figures bear out this continuing shift.

An analysis from USAID's Global Partnerships (GP) Division shows how private capital increased from about 30 percent in the 1960s to more than 80 percent in 2005. In contrast, public funding of development, once the driving force for international giving, has diminished in proportion, accounting for less than 17 percent in 2005, even as the total value of ODA has increased. Between 2003 and 2005 alone, public-private flows increased by $52 billion, bringing the total to $164 billion.

Building alliances with private sector partners is critical to leveraging the effectiveness of public aid to poor countries. Through GDAs, USAID recognizes the vital role of public-private alliances in achieving transformational development goals.
For more information about the latest data tracking resource flows, please view the documents below:

Pie Chart Fact Sheet (PDF, 34 KB)

Provides important highlights explaining the significance of the different shares of total resource flows from all sources in the United States, including Official Development Assistance and private capital flows.

Guide To 2005 Flows Analysis (PDF, 124 KB)

Provides a detailed review of the history of sources and methodology that provides the basis for the pie-chart analysis above. Charting of U.S. financing for development was first undertaken by PSA staff based on 2003 numbers as a graphic representation of the value of partnering with the private sector. While many actors devote resources in cash and in other forms to alleviate global poverty, the power that resides in allying efforts is at the core of the GDA model.