Gbenga Adepetu, Partner at PwC, has called for a renewed approach to measuring and sustaining impact across the global development landscape, as billions of dollars continue to flow into critical sectors such as health, education, food security, governance, and climate resilience.
Speaking on evolving trends in development finance, Adepetu noted that while significant progress has been achieved through sustained investments, there is a growing need to rethink how success is defined and measured. He emphasized that although donors, governments, and implementing partners bring strong expertise and commitment, the systems linking resources to outcomes must better capture and demonstrate real impact.
Adepetu highlighted the limitations of traditional reporting frameworks, which often focus on inputs such as funds disbursed and activities completed. He stressed that while internal monitoring and evaluation remain essential for tracking implementation and learning, they must be complemented by independent assessments to enhance credibility, validate outcomes, and strengthen accountability.
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He further pointed to absorptive capacity as a critical challenge, warning that increasing funding without corresponding institutional capacity can strain systems and undermine long-term sustainability. According to him, aligning investments with capacity and prioritizing system strengthening are key to ensuring effective and accountable programme delivery.
The PwC partner also underscored the importance of transparency and robust documentation in building trust and securing continued funding, particularly in an era of heightened scrutiny and uncertainty around development financing.
Looking ahead, Adepetu called for deeper collaboration across the development ecosystem to strengthen accountability frameworks, promote results-based financing, and integrate independent evaluation more consistently. He noted that such efforts would ensure that development outcomes are not only achieved but clearly demonstrated, sustained, and scaled for the benefit of communities across the globe.
