The DFI Transparency Index is a leading measurement tool that evaluates the transparency of the main DFIs launched by Publish What You Fund in 2023.
The DFI Transparency Index
Abstract
Development finance institutions (DFIs) have been growing in scale and significance, playing a crucial role in economic development. On private capital mobilisation, DFIs have a critical role to play by supporting policy and institutional reforms, helping develop strong investment projects and sharing risk with commercial partners. In a context of mounting global crises, it is vital that DFIs use their resources in the most impactful way possible. However, a lack of transparency in their reporting and disclosure requirements, primarily from non-sovereign operators, hinders the possibility to ensure that DFIs are generating positive development results, mobilising private finance and managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks.
The DFI Transparency Index is a leading measurement tool that evaluates the transparency of the main DFIs. It was launched by Publish What You Fund in 2023 and examines both public sector (sovereign) and private sector (non-sovereign) activities of multilateral and bilateral organisations, using a comprehensive methodology. The Index aims to assess current levels of transparency and to encourage and guide improvements, for DFIs to promote transparency, learning, and accountability in their blended finance operations.
Publish What You Fund has, in parallel, developed the DFI Transparency Tool to improve the systematic and timely disclosure of relevant information by DFIs. The tool provides detailed, granular guidance to DFIs on the information they should disclose to improve their transparency. The second edition of the DFI Transparency Index will be published in June 2025, featuring an updated methodology that includes new indicators on climate finance transparency.
Despite the fact that for many DFIs, basic information about their investments is not publicly available, progress has been made thanks to the use of and adherence to the standards laid out in the DFI Transparency Index and Tool. In this regard, efforts of leading DFIs have been made to improve their disclosure over the last two years, committed to increasing time and resources to improve the transparency of their operations.
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