Multilateral development banks (MDBs) increasingly struggle to respond effectively to the needs of middle-income countries (MICs). This has influenced not only their potential development impact but also their own financial stability. Part of the challenge has been internal business processes that deter greater borrowing by countries, especially in the presence of other financiers with less strenuous requirements. These processes include lengthy loan approval processes, limited use of in-country management systems and sensitivities around environmental and social safeguards. There is also a need for greater responsiveness and an emphasis on the importance of knowledge services. This policy briefing (drawing on a more in-depth discussion paper) highlights some of these challenges
and offers some alternative solutions. The New Development Bank (NDB), as a new entrant to
the development finance milieu, will do well to draw on the experiences of existing MDBs to
improve its offerings to countries.
