Tetra Tech’s economic growth specialists work to improve the quality of life for people living in extreme poverty by reducing systemic constraints that limit access to markets.
According to the World Bank, 1 in 10 people in the world live on less than USD$1.90 a day, and half of people living in extreme poverty are in Sub-Saharan Africa. The global poor are predominantly from rural areas, young, poorly educated, are mostly employed in the agricultural sector, and live in larger households with more children. Prioritizing programming for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with a special focus on vulnerable populations, is critical to help meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty by 2030.
Tetra Tech’s economic growth work combines local knowledge with international expertise to design and deliver programs that help partner countries mobilize their own resources, explore opportunities to grow their economies, and strengthen their workforces. We work with our clients to drive solutions that use markets as an engine for poverty reduction, helping our clients grow on a global stage and develop into mature, integrated economies.
Market Systems Development
Our market systems development approach to programming works to diagnose why those under the poverty line are not benefiting from markets, address the systemic constraints that are preventing their engagement, and remove bottlenecks to their active participation. We provide government agencies with management and administrative support to streamline processes and improve oversight for large-scale infrastructure projects that create a business-enabling environment.
Advocacy for Better Business Environments
By strengthening business people’s voices within developing economies, we are helping advance some of the most effective mechanisms for economic reform. We have developed advocacy programs in many countries around the world—backed by various partners and donors—that have led to tangible changes in business landscapes and legislation and facilitated business development opportunities at national, regional, and local levels.
Technology for Development (T4D)
Our team of experts work with partners to identify, stimulate, and support technology solutions that improve access to services and markets for low-income households across the developing world. Our work has enabled some of the leading disruptive innovations and innovators of the past two decades, including M-PESA and M-KOPA. Learn more about our T4D work.
Evidence-based Project Design and Implementation
We work with donor organizations to provide rapid response, evidence-based advice and analysis to head office and country-based teams. Our insights enable informed project design, in-depth project performance reviews, and strategic lessons for ongoing implementation. Coupled with our robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning portfolio, our team can provide clients with recommendations for adaptive programming based on the analysis of our project findings.