Good governance underpins any successful business model and it is of utmost importance that DFIs follow best practices that promote integrity, transparency and accountability. To achieve this, DFIs should strive to strengthen behaviour and risk culture within the organisation. Strong governance entails crafting well-defined mandates that will insulate the organisation from undue external interference. Focus should also be given to foster a culture that welcomes active debates and critical thinking at all levels of the organisation to guard against groupthink. Last but not least, to sustain effective and high performance, continuous upskilling of the board, senior management and staff is crucial to be able to seize opportunities and overcome challenges as they arise. While the DFIs of today have grown in size and outreach, there remain opportunities for them to maximise their full potential. Innovation is lacking in developing diversified financial products that are tailored to meet the specific needs of targeted sectors. This is compounded by their limited capacity and capability to manage the potential risks arising from financing high risk sectors due to information asymmetries. DFIs should aim to become the centre of reference for new growth sectors and emerging markets and develop expertise in risk assessment and management of high risk projects in those sectors. Underlying the strategies for a good business model is the need for DFIs to strengthen research and analytical capabilities to address their lending capacity by developing innovative solutions.
Given the digitalisation of finance and proliferation of technology in financial services, DFIs need to remain at the frontier of these developments. This could include leveraging on big data and forging partnerships with technology firms to develop digital solutions at lower cost and increased efficiency. At the broader level, the development finance architecture should also shift to be more effective in channelling resources and catalysing private investment to developmental oriented projects and initiatives. Whilst most DFIs have been self-sustainable for the past few years, DFIs will need to diversify their sources of funding and ensure that the structure of liabilities is appropriate for the assets that they hold to be sustainable in the long run. DFIs cannot be dependent on fiscal support to carry out their mandates. DFIs should aim to have strong competitive position on new growth sectors supported by a sustainable strategy and management execution capabilities. Last but not least, DFIs are required to continuously review their institutional fit and business models to increase their development impact while remaining financially sustainable. Effective DFIs should also be able to act as catalysts to promote private sector investments and support economic growth. One example of a financially sustainable business model is demonstrated by the experience of Nacional Financiera (NAFIN) as an enabler to Mexico’s aspiration to combat climate change through the Renewable Energy Financing Facility, or REFF.