Institute of Development Studies

The Aid for Trade (AfT) debate has mostly focused on how to implement AfT programmes (aid architecture), rather than on what to do and the specific content of these programmes. Exports from developing countries, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, continue to be concentrated in few commodities, and diversification into new exports and markets remains poor. In order to make Aid for Trade more effective, the debate urgently needs to refocus on better research, evaluation and design of concrete programmes, taking into consideration the changing environment of the world economy and global production.