Economic Development and Prosperity Program

Analyzing economic opportunity, strategic infrastructure, private sector growth, finance, and investment in emerging markets and developing economies.

The Economic Development and Prosperity (EDP) Program is a program within the CSIS Global Development Department that focuses on the rapidly shifting financial and economic landscape in low and middle-income countries. EDP provides recommendations to safeguard U.S. strategic and economic interests at home while promoting prosperity abroad.  By leveraging CSIS’s unique convening power in Washington and around the world, EDP’s innovative research shapes policymaking and mobilizes investments, influencing the economic development narrative within the United States, partner countries, and multilateral institutions.

Areas of Focus

EDP examines and anticipates the needs, opportunities, and challenges for private sector actors, U.S. government agencies, and international policymakers and stakeholders. We work within several priority areas:

  • Private sector growth, economic opportunity, and mobilizing capital for strategic investments 
  • Leveraging development finance, trade, foreign investment, foreign assistance, and multilateral institutions in geostrategic competition
  • Strategic infrastructure
  • Digital transformation and connectivity
  • Analyzing the positive impact of economic development work on U.S. security and commercial interests

Media Queries

Featured Projects

Ukraine Economic Transformation

The CSIS Ukraine Economic Transformation project focuses on the critical role of private sector investment in Ukraine's reconstruction

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All Economic Development and Prosperity Program Content

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A Conversation on the U.S. Role in Global Port Infrastructure

Join the CSIS Economic Development and Prosperity Program (EDP) for an expert panel examining EDP's new report Strategic Shores: Strengthening Overseas Port Infrastructure to Safeguard U.S. Economic and Security Interests.  

Event — November 17, 2026

U.S. Foreign Economic Policy Needs a Quarterback

The U.S. government should empower the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to be a more effective agency to lead on economic growth abroad.

Commentary by Richard Crespin and John Simon — October 6, 2026

Is U.S. Economic Diplomacy Up To Speed?

As global competition intensifies, U.S. economic statecraft faces structural hurdles, requiring an examination of where State Deptartment structures fall short, explore fragmented agency expertise, and propose a new organizational model for effective modern strategy.

Event — September 18, 2026

A New Organizational Paradigm for Economic Statecraft at the U.S. State Department

Economic and energy competition are at the center of geopolitics, but to compete, the U.S. relies on institutions built for a different era. This report diagnoses structural failures hindering U.S. economic statecraft and proposes concrete reforms for the State Department.

Report by Allison Lombardo and Jonathan Gandomi — August 26, 2026

Economic Modernization and Strategic Positioning of Algeria

As Algeria opens up and diversifies its economy, it will have to navigate complex relationships with major powers and neighbors, create meaningful employment for its youth, and sustain economic reforms.

Commentary by Romina Bandura — June 5, 2026

Audio Briefs

Economic Modernization and Strategic Positioning of Algeria

An audio version of "⁠Economic Modernization and Strategic Positioning of Algeria⁠," a new commentary by CSIS’s Romina Bandura. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Romina Bandura — June 5, 2026

Audio Briefs