Technical advisory on DFID's cities programme in Uganda
The mission of the Department for International Development (DFID) is to help eradicate poverty in the world’s poorest countries through achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
DFID supports economic transformation that shifts economic activity to higher productivity sectors that will attract investment, growth, and create jobs for women and men. Its focus is on inclusive growth that improves opportunities for the poorest, ensuring that the benefits of growth and access to economic opportunities are spread broadly across society so that no one is left behind.
Infrastructure remains a binding constraint to growth. Lack of reliable and affordable power, water supply and infrastructure connectivity raise costs, reduce competitiveness and hold back investments and jobs.
Cities have a key role in supporting the structural transformation of economies through the benefits of agglomeration economies generating large-scale employment. However, poor planning, inadequate governance and environmental damage can lock cities into dysfunctional forms. Urbanisation without reform and modernisation will prevent cities from fulfilling their social and economic potential.
To address these interrelated issues, DFID launched the Cities and Infrastructure for Growth (CIG) programme across three countries, including Uganda – the focus of Genesis’ assignment. The programme’s objectives include:
- Improving urban development and productivity;
- Boosting access to reliable and affordable power;
- Increasing investment in infrastructure services, particularly where it directly supports growth, including through innovative ways of attracting private and, increasingly, public financing
- Driving better asset and financial management for sustainable investment into services, namely host governments’ abilities to plan, finance and manage its infrastructure assets and services.
Genesis was responsible for the provision of technical advisory services to Cardno in the implementation of activities supporting the programme’s objectives.