Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and the African Management Institute (AMI) co-hosted a breakfast roundtable in New York on September 22, 2026, during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The event, "Evidence at a Tipping Point: Why Is Business Support a Big Bet for Jobs?", brought together more than 20 funders and implementing organizations to examine the case for greater investment in business development support. Business development support, specifically consulting or targeted advisory, is increasingly recognized as a promising investment and Best Bet for helping small businesses grow and create jobs. As the evidence base grows (e.g., IPA and AMI’s randomized evaluation of a management training program for small firms in Kenya), the conversation is shifting from whether this support can work to what makes it work and how effective approaches can reach more businesses.

The roundtable was moderated by Patricia Maina of AMI and Elizabeth Koshy of IPA. Contributors included Harry Devonshire of the Argidius Foundation, Dean Karlan of the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern University, Rebecca Harrison of AMI, and Amolo Ng'weno of the Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF). The discussion opened with a presentation by Dean Karlan on what we know about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of business development support. Rebecca Harrison followed up with AMI’s perspective and lessons learned from their experience of delivering support to businesses in Africa. The final part of the conversation focused on scale and investment. Participants discussed the infrastructure, quality standards, and delivery capacity needed to take effective models further and increase investment in the sector, and how funders should assess the return on philanthropic capital compared with other interventions.

IPA looks forward to continuing our work with partners to translate the growing evidence on business development support into greater investment and impact for small businesses and workers.

Photos: © 2026 Jessica Cruz