Webinar: Understanding ODA loans

The use of loans as a mechanism for delivering development assistance has been an increasing trend in recent years, with the rise in ODA loans growing much faster than the rise in ODA grants. In 2013, the total gross value of loans from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) amounted to US$13 billion.

Recent rule changes by the DAC will lead to differences in how loans are measured and valued, and how the concessionality of loans is assessed. To date, however, there has been limited publicly available analysis on the possible impacts. What will the changes mean for donors and developing countries? And what are the implications for advocates and other stakeholders who monitor aid effectiveness and the indebtedness in developing countries?

This free webinar will provide useful and accessible information to shed light on this issue and begin a discussion on the underlying incentives for donors around loans. In the interactive one-hour session, we will share the findings of Development Initiatives’ report ‘ODA loans: tracking a growing source of development financing’. We will present the key facts, trends and policy implications, in simple, jargon-free language, using graphics and interactive online data visualisations to aid participants’ understanding. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the presenter and report author, Rob Tew.

Update: You can read our report ‘ODA Loans- tracking a growing source of development financing’ and watch the presentation again here.