Supporting governments and regional institutions to enhance service delivery, strengthen governance, and invest in education, skills, capacity building, and policy reform.
Strong, transparent, and accountable institutions are central to achieving resilient, inclusive growth in the Caribbean. They provide the foundation for macroeconomic stability, improved governance, and an environment where businesses and citizens can thrive. Without effective institutions, the Region risks low productivity, slow growth, and vulnerability to the “middle-income trap.” CDB’s work in this area prioritises building capable governments, advancing procurement reform, and strengthening training and capacity building for sustainable development.
CDB supports Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in strengthening governance frameworks to create stability, attract investment, and foster inclusive growth. The Bank’s work helps governments improve economic policy, public financial management, and business facilitation, while also promoting the rule of law and expanding opportunities for women and disadvantaged groups. By enhancing the effectiveness and credibility of public institutions, CDB enables greater accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in decision-making. Initiatives such as the Expert Forum on Anti-Corruption in the Age of AI and the 3Cs Youth Forum on Corruption, Compliance, and Cybercrime highlight the Bank’s commitment to tackling emerging governance challenges and engaging youth in advancing integrity and accountability.
Fair, efficient, and transparent procurement is vital to public trust and effective governance. CDB has led significant procurement reforms across its BMCs, including drafting and finalising new Public Procurement Acts and Regulations, developing Standard Bidding Documents, and supporting e-procurement and sustainable procurement practices. Recent achievements include advancing reforms in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and the British Virgin Islands, as well as supporting regional work with the CARICOM Secretariat. To strengthen private sector participation, CDB has also hosted procurement fairs in partnership with the OECS Commission, World Bank, and IDB. These events provided businesses—particularly women-led enterprises and SMEs—with training and guidance to better access contract opportunities.
Institutions are only as strong as the people who manage them. CDB invests in technical assistance and training to build the capacity of governments, civil society, and private sector actors. The planned CDB Academy will expand this work by offering structured training programmes, facilitating policy dialogue, and creating a community of practice for regional stakeholders. Anti-corruption and compliance training, youth engagement on governance issues, and capacity-building workshops for procurement professionals are examples of initiatives that strengthen resilience and foster innovation in governance. By building institutional capacity, CDB ensures its BMCs are equipped to embrace technology, adapt to global trends, and pursue sustainable development.