Development finance institutions, such as CDC, were established to provide financing for private investment in developing countries. High levels of private investment are associated with faster rates of economic growth and growth is critical in reducing poverty.

In this literature review, experts from Nathan Associates London Ltd delve into a number of issues:

• What constrains private investment in the poorest developing countries?
• How important a constraint is access to financing?
• What blocks access to financing?
• What types of businesses are most affected by a lack of financing and at what stages of their life cycle?
• What are the consequences of the lack of financing for economic development in general?
• What policies are effective in improving access to financing?