Romina Bandura

Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development, Project on U.S. Leadership in Development
Romina Bandura

Romina Bandura is a senior fellow with the Project on Prosperity and Development at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Ms. Bandura is an economist with more than 20 years of experience in international development research, policy analysis, and project management. Her current research focuses on digital transformation and the future of work in developing countries. She has also conducted extensive research on the United States’ economic engagement in the developing world and enhancing the reach and impact of the multilateral development bank system. Her work is often cited in prominent media outlets. Before joining CSIS in September 2017, she was a senior consultant at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). She worked closely with clients to design research and manage projects that included index building, quantifying qualitative variables, policy analysis, and strategies for investment and growth. EIU flagship projects include benchmarking indices like the Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion and the Latin America and Caribbean Infrascope project. She also held positions as an economist at the International Labour Organization's Washington office, a business manager at DAI’s Economic Growth Sector (managing a $90 million private sector development portfolio of projects in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe) and a policy analyst for the UN Development Programme. Early in her career, she worked in the banking sector in Argentina. Ms. Bandura holds an MPA in international development from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires.

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Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity, and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde

Shaping Tomorrow: USAID’s Digital Future with Chris Burns

In this episode of Building the Future, Romina Bandura is joined by Chris Burns, Chief Digital Development Officer for USAID and the Director of the Technology Division within the Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub, to discuss USAID’s work on digital development and dive deeper into USAID’s 10-year Digital Strategy that was first launched in 2020.

Podcast Episode by Romina Bandura — September 9, 2024

CSIS Building the Future

Removing Bottlenecks for the Private Sector

Despite the war, Ukraine has been undertaking a series of reforms to combat corruption, prepare the country for EU membership, and improve the overall business environment.

Report by Romina Bandura, Daria Figlus, and Ilya Timtchenko — September 3, 2024

Approaches to Digital Public Infrastructure in the Global South

Digital public infrastructure is changing lives and boosting economic opportunities, but building these systems is not risk free. Several countries in the Global South are prioritizing inclusivity, cooperation, and transparency to approach the challenges they face.

Report by Romina Bandura, Madeleine McLean, and Caroline Smutny — August 26, 2024

AI in the Field of Economic Development

This panel discussion will analyze how economic development agencies and organizations can harness the potential of AI technology while ensuring robust safeguards. Listen to experts explore the strategies and principles necessary to navigate this transformative landscape responsibly. 

Event — June 25, 2024

Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity, and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde

Bridging the Gender Digital Divide with Jamie Zimmerman

In this episode of Building the Future, Guest Host Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow at the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, is joined by Jamie Zimmerman, the Deputy Director of Digital Connectivity at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the gender divide in digital services in low- and middle-income countries, and the role various institutions can play in accelerating efforts to bridge this gap.

Podcast Episode by Romina Bandura — June 12, 2024

CSIS Building the Future
Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity, and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde

Digital Transformation and Digital Public Infrastructure in India with Shatakratu Sahu

In this episode of Building the Future, Guest Host Romina Bandura, Senior Fellow at the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, is joined by Shatakratu Sahu, a research analyst and convener of the Global Technology Summit at Carnegie India, to discuss the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in the Indian context, and what Sahu sees as the opportunities and challenges that DPI brings to the world.

Podcast Episode by Romina Bandura — May 30, 2024

CSIS Building the Future

Partnership Opportunities to Transform Food Systems

This report explores how public-private partnerships can help transform global food systems to be more sustainable, efficient, and equitable while adapting to climate change and meeting the increasing demands of a growing global population.

Report by Romina Bandura and Salome Girgvliani — April 30, 2024