Credit: Clinton Foundation President Clinton and Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter at the inaugural session of the Clinton Global Initiative, in which Hunter committed $100 million to fighting poverty.

Launched in 2006, the Clinton-Hunter Development Initiative (CHDI) is a collaborative effort of the Clinton Foundation and the Hunter Foundation to catalyze sustainable economic growth in Africa. CHDI is pursuing this mission with a ten-year operating budget of $100 million, committed by Sir Tom Hunter during the inaugural meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative.

CHDI recognizes that sustainable economic growth is dependent on food security, clean water and sanitation, and quality health care, yet driven by market demand. CHDI therefore emphasizes development programs that are integrated across sectors; scalable and sustainable by partner governments and communities; and responsive to market realities.

At the request of the Governments of Rwanda and Malawi, CHDI currently works in these two countries. In Rwanda, CHDI operates in the Eastern Province, in a catchment area of approximately 425,000 people. In Malawi, CHDI is active in Dowa, Neno, Mwanza, and Chitipa Districts, which have a combined population of approximately 584,000 people. In both countries, CHDI also works at the national level on specific issues.

The majority of people living in CHDI catchment areas rely on agriculture for survival. Accordingly, CHDI is working with the Governments of Rwanda and Malawi to:

• Improve farmers’ productivity by expanding their access to fertilizer, disease-resistant seeds, irrigation systems, advanced planting techniques, and micro-credit;
• Cultivate domestic and international markets for agriculture produce;
• Help develop value-added agricultural products;
• Address transportation costs and other impediments to cost-effective trade;
• Expand access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in health facilities and schools; and
• Strengthen rural hospitals and health clinics in collaboration with Partners In Health.

A cassava garden in Malawi grown with techniques from the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative.

Hopeful signs abound. CHDI’s assistance with the single largest purchase of fertilizer in Rwandan history—at significantly reduced prices—is helping to increase farmers’ productivity and to establish food security for thousands of families in eastern Rwanda. Consistent with CHDI’s integrated approach, these families also now have access to a local hospital that has been renovated by CHDI and Partners In Health, in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and other partners. The maintenance costs of this hospital are sustainable within the Government of Rwanda’s healthcare spending targets.

CHDI plans to continue working with the Governments of Rwanda and Malawi to implement innovative, market-based programs that generate sustainable economic growth. Additional programs may seek to strengthen farmers’ associations; develop storage options for agricultural surplus; supplant imports with home-grown goods; develop agri-businesses such as tomato processing and cassava starch production; and strengthen educational infrastructure.

>>Download Clinton Hunter Development Initiative Overview