Academics, researchers and students at Makerere University have been urged to deepen research into whether international donors cooperate or compete in the provision of aid, amid growing concerns that shifts by major funders could significantly affect service delivery in developing countries.

The call was made during a public lecture delivered on April 16, 2026, by French economist Nathalie Ferriere, titled “Donor Cooperation or Competition: What Do We Know from Economics Research and What Should We Investigate.” The lecture, part of the Environment for Development Initiative seminar series, attracted faculty, researchers and students .

Ferriere, an Associate  Professor at Sciences Po Aix affiliated with the Aix-Marseille School of Economics, is in Uganda for a two-week research engagement involving consultations with government institutions including the Ministries of Finance and Health as well as local governments.

Study Donor Reactions to Aid Withdrawals

Ferriere said her research focuses on how donors respond when a major funder withdraws support particularly in sensitive sectors such as family planning.

“My research here is about the interaction between family planning providers’ aid. I look at how the withdrawal of US aid in given years affects the spending of other donors,” she explained.

She noted that her findings show a delayed but concerning pattern.

“Once the US stops giving family planning aid, other donors at the beginning do not react for one or two years but after, they also start to reduce funding,” she said.

Ferriere warned that such trends could have direct implications for countries like Uganda, where a significant portion of health services relies on foreign aid.

“If you have a decrease in this aid, you will have a decrease in family planning provision,” she said adding that governments must anticipate such shifts.

“If you want to keep the same level of services, the government should increase its own expenditure. My next research will be to understand how governments respond in such situations,” she added.

Lecture Opens New Research Frontiers

College Principal and EfD centre Director  Edward Bbaale described the lecture as timely and aligned with the university’s strategic direction to strengthen research and international collaboration.

“The topic speaks a lot to me because it opens up research frontiers. What should we really take on as researchers? How else can we look at cooperation or competition in terms of aid?” Bbaale said.

He commended Ferriere for partnering with Makerere researchers on aid-related studies, noting that such collaborations are critical for building a research-driven institution.

“We are excited that of all universities in Africa, you chose to work with researchers from Makerere University,” he said.

Bbaale emphasized that the university is positioning itself as a research-led institution, with internationalization and partnerships at its core.

“A research university is not only about teaching. It is about meetings like this to exchange ideas, to understand where we are and where we are going,” he added.

Donor Behaviour Key to Development Outcomes

Lecturer John Bosco Oryema said the lecture underscored the importance of understanding donor dynamics for countries dependent on external funding.

“When a big donor behaves in a specific way, other donors will follow in the same way,” Oryema noted.

“For developing countries that depend on aid, we need to study the behaviour of our donors. When one reduces, others may also reduce, and our development interventions may fail,” he warned.

Researcher Alice Nalwera highlighted the tendency of donors to align their decisions based on actions taken by leading funders.

“Most donors tend to cooperate and follow what others are doing. There is an aspect of information sharing,” she said.

“What the US is doing will greatly influence what other donors do in terms of disbursement,” she added..

Evelyn Nizame, a third-year economics student said cooperation among donors is essential.

“It is very important for donors to cooperate on key projects to deliver quality services to the people,” she said.

Another student, Nabakoza Joan, emphasized the risks of fragmented aid.  “When there is a lot of competition, there is fragmentation of funds. But if donors cooperate under one policy, it leads to better outcomes for developing countries,” she explained.

Environment for Development (EfD) Centre at Makerere University on 16^th April 2026  bid farewell to its third intern, Ruth Asiimwe, who has secured a position with the African Development Bank in Juba South Sudan, with staff and alumni hailing the programme’s growing record of nurturing top talent.

Asiimwe’s departure adds to a list of successful transitions by EfD interns into key national and international institutions. The centre’s first intern, Alice Nalweera, joined the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) before becoming an assistant lecturer at Makerere University’s School of Economics, while the second, Lean Ankunda, was recruited by the Bank of Uganda.

Speaking at the farewell, Policy Engagement Specialist Peter Babyenda said Asiimwe’s achievement reflects the strength of EfD’s mentorship model.

“In the same way we bid farewell to Alice and Lean as they moved on to EPRC and Bank of Uganda respectively, today we are here again because of the mentorship we are providing,” Babyenda said. “Ruth is now joining the African Development Bank in Juba, and we are proud of her.”

Babyenda also credited the EfD leadership and partners, noting that the Sida-funded centre, established in 2019, has consistently invested in building research capacity among young scholars.

“We started this mentorship programme to help students learn from what we are doing and become researchers. Wherever you go, please represent us well,” he added.

“A nursery bed for young professionals”

The Director of the EfD Makerere Centre, Prof. Edward Bbaale, described the centre as a “nursery bed” for young professionals, emphasizing its role in shaping future leaders.

“EfD is a place where we nurture seedlings and later transplant them into the main garden. Ruth has been very diligent and professional, and I have no doubt she will represent us well,” Bbaale said.

He added that Asiimwe’s move extends the centre’s influence beyond Uganda. “She is not leaving the EfD network; rather, our footprint is expanding to the African Development Bank and to another country. This makes collaboration easier and strengthens our presence.”

Centre Manager and Supervisor Gyaviira Ssewankambo said the internship programme was introduced to strengthen internal capacity and has since evolved into a critical talent pipeline.

“Ruth has made us proud. She set a high benchmark, and we expect those coming in to build on that,” Ssewankambo said.

Research Fellow Dr. Nicholas Kilimani highlighted the importance of targeted mentorship and talent identification in building a strong team.

“We are dealing with highly specialised talent. The approach of identifying and nurturing dedicated young professionals has paid off, and Ruth is a clear example,” he said.

Staff members also praised Asiimwe’s character, describing her as humble, disciplined, and professional. Data Manager Fred Kasalirwe noted that beyond academic excellence, her soft skills set her apart.

“You may be academically strong, but without soft skills it is difficult to thrive. Ruth is extremely humble and will blend well in any environment,” he said.

Administrative Officer Hilda Makune echoed similar sentiments, saying Asiimwe’s positive attitude and interpersonal skills made her stand out.

“We will miss her. Her humility and teamwork have been exceptional, and we are confident she will represent us well,” Makune said.

Alice Nalwera, the pioneer intern, urged Asiimwe to uphold the centre’s reputation and inspire others.

“Wherever we go, we carry EfD with us. Talk good about the centre and inspire other young women to follow this path,” Nalwera said.

In her remarks, Asiimwe credited EfD for shaping her professional journey, emphasizing the importance of a supportive work environment.

“I have learned that working in a good environment with supportive leadership motivates you to do better. EfD has given me that foundation,” she said.

She also thanked her supervisors and colleagues for mentorship and guidance, noting that the experience had prepared her for the demands of her new role.

Asiimwe’s departure coincided with the introduction of a new intern, Kevin Apolot, who takes over as the centre continues its mentorship programme aimed at producing the next generation of researchers and policy professionals.

The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University convened leading economists, policymakers, and students for a high-level seminar examining how global donors interact in shaping development assistance.

The seminar, organized by the Environment for Development Makerere Centre, featured Nathalie Ferrière, an Associate Professor of Economics at Sciences Po Aix, who presented research on whether international donors cooperate or compete—and what that means for countries such as Uganda.

Opening the session, CoBAMS Principal Prof. Edward Bbaale welcomed participants and underscored the significance of global academic collaboration. “I am very pleased to be here this morning for this seminar, and I take this opportunity, to welcome Professor Nathalie to Makerere University,” he said.

Prof. Bbaale highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Makerere researchers and Prof. Ferrière, noting that her current visit builds on joint work on foreign aid and public finance. “As Makerere University, we were particularly excited that, among all universities in Africa, you chose to collaborate with our researchers.”

He added that such engagements align with the university’s ambition to strengthen its research profile. “Makerere University has made a strategic decision to strengthen its position as a research university. We recognize that we must go beyond teaching and pursue significant breakthroughs in research.”

Donor behaviour under scrutiny

In her presentation, Prof’ Ferrière challenged conventional assumptions about development assistance, arguing that the growing number of donors has created coordination challenges. “If we look at the global landscape of development aid, we see a wide range of donors. The idea that only Western countries provide Official Development Assistance is incorrect,” she said.

Her research focuses on how donors respond to each other’s actions, using empirical evidence to test whether aid flows are driven by cooperation or competition. “Do they compete? Do they cooperate? Do they coordinate? That is the core of my research.”

Prof. Ferrière explained that while theory predicts both positive and negative interactions, real-world data reveals complex dynamics. Using the Mexico City Policy as a case study, she demonstrated how political shifts in the United States influence global aid patterns. “When the US reduces funding, other donors eventually also reduce their funding, rather than compensating,” she said.

This finding, she noted, challenges international commitments often made to fill funding gaps. “Initially, donors may maintain funding due to political or reputational pressures, but over time, they revert to their usual behavior and follow the dominant donor’s lead.”

Risks of dependency on major donors

Prof. Ferrière warned that reliance on dominant donors such as the United States can expose developing countries to funding shocks. “These findings suggest that reliance on a dominant donor can be risky. A more diversified donor base may increase stability and reduce vulnerability to political shifts.”

She also emphasized that donor competition is not necessarily driven by development outcomes. “Competition from donors is not for aid effectiveness. It is for commercial aspects and political influence, which are not necessarily related to domestic needs.”

At the same time, she cautioned that full cooperation among donors could weaken recipient countries’ negotiating power. “If you have a cartel of donors that totally agree, you have less bargaining power. So yes, it should be a mix.”

Academic debate deepens analysis

The presentation sparked a lively discussion among faculty, with Dr. John Bosco Oryema, a Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Economic Theory and Analysis at Makerere University’s School of Economics, praising the methodological rigor of the research.

“Your research is very exciting. I found the econometric methods particularly strong—especially your approach to identifying instruments and ensuring their validity.”

Dr. Oryema proposed alternative interpretations of donor behaviour, including herding effects and strategic competition. “This could be interpreted as a form of Stackelberg competition where the United States is the leader and other donors act as followers.”

He noted that such a framework highlights the role of game theory in understanding global aid systems. “This becomes a game-theoretic interaction, where donors adjust their behavior based on what the leading donor has done.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Paul Wabwiga, a Lecturer at the Makerere University School of Economics and Associate Research Fellow at the Policy Analysis and Development Research Institute (PADRI), raised broader policy questions, particularly from the perspective of recipient countries.

“In contexts like Uganda, where there is high intensity of Official Development Assistance, who actually benefits?” he asked.

Dr. Wabwiga questioned whether donor dynamics should concern developing countries or primarily the donors themselves. “From the perspective of a recipient country, increased aid inflows may seem beneficial. So, who should be worried about these dynamics?”

He also pointed to the political volatility embedded in US aid policies. “What is the net effect over time after alternating administrations? This could be a valuable extension of your research.”

Call for deeper, context-driven research

Responding to the discussants, Prof. Ferrière acknowledged the complexity of donor interactions and the need for balanced approaches. “From the perspective of donors, they would argue that cooperation is better, but competition could be beneficial if it improves effectiveness.”

However, she reiterated that real-world incentives often diverge from ideal outcomes. “Donor interests are not totally in line with effectiveness.”

She emphasized that understanding these interactions is essential for improving aid allocation. “We already know that allocation is driven by needs and donor interests, but we were missing the role of donor interaction.”

Prof. Ferrière also highlighted inefficiencies in current systems, particularly duplication of efforts. “In Uganda, ministries are already collecting detailed data. Why do donors spend money to do something that is already done locally?”

On the broader question of development outcomes, she stressed that aid alone cannot solve structural challenges. “Official Development Assistance is part of the solution, but not the whole solution, factors like institutions and governance also matter.”

Inspiring the next generation

Closing the seminar, Prof. Bbaale commended the quality of the research and its relevance to students and faculty. “You clearly invested significant effort in developing your instrumentation. That was very impressive.”

He encouraged students to view econometrics as a practical tool rather than a purely theoretical discipline. “We don’t want only to teach you econometrics and stop there. We want you to use it in real-world research.”

The Principal also reaffirmed Makerere’s openness to continued collaboration. “Whenever you are in Uganda, please consider this your academic home. We would be delighted to host you again.”