Private Sector

We are working in partnership with the private sector in Ireland and in our partner countries, supporting countries to grow their economies, create jobs, increase trade, and provide goods and services to generate the resources they need to be able lift themselves out of poverty.  

A changing context

The private sector is increasingly playing a key role in achieving development outcomes.  As well as contributing additional capital, private sector partners are bringing fresh know-how and innovative ideas to resolve development challenges.

Today many developing countries are becoming less dependent on aid and are generating more of their own resources through trade and investment. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, are achieving impressive levels of economic growth and generating increased revenue to finance their social and economic development. 

Our work with the private sector

Promoting a better investment climate in Africa

We are supporting the development of a better investment climate in Africa through our support for the Investment Climate Facility (ICF), a unique public-private partnership forum based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Promoting private sector development in our partner countries

Increasingly, our work in our partner countries in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi incorporates a strong focus on private sector development, strengthened trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people links.

Collaborative initiatives such as Traidlinks in Uganda are an example of this. Our work in this area is guided by the Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Today many developing countries are becoming less dependent on aid and are generating more of their own resources through trade and investment.

Promoting business links between Ireland and countries in Africa.

Co-operation under the framework of the Africa Strategy has resulted in the Africa-Ireland Economic Forum and the Africa Agri-Food Development Fund (PDF, 195.5kb) – initiatives that promote business links between Irish and African business.

Supporting research on new technologies

Collaborative research and technology projects, including in the areas of hunger, food security and nutrition are improving people’s lives in some of the poorest countries in the world.