Uganda Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

CSD is part of a global consortium supported by the MasterCard Foundation that is exploring the potential for piloting a Youth Savings initiative in multiple developing countries. In addition to CSD, the consortium includes Save the Children, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), and the New America Foundation. The consortium’s goals for the 2009-2010 year include identifying six developing countries in which to implement these pilots, along with local financial and research institutions that could assist in implementing and evaluating the pilots. This brief is one of a series that CSD has prepared on candidate countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This brief, like the others, assesses the candidate country on four criteria: institutional capacity, national political interest, research capacity, and broader macroeconomic environment. Summary Uganda stands out as a candidate site to include in the worldwide demonstration of Youth Development Accounts (YDAs) in three ways: (1) strong international organizations and national government interest in poverty reduction efforts; (2) reliable and well-regulated banking infrastructure in place delivering microfinance programs; (3) excellent research capability and strong partnerships with local government