Making service markets work for the poor: The experience of Uganda

Business Services Market Development (BSMD) project - a DFID/ILO initiative to demonstrate new approaches to business development.

This project ran from 2002 to 2005, focusing on the enhancement of supply chains where rural, small enterprises are providing (or could provide) substantial inputs. By enhancing these supply chains, it is anticipated that major benefits will accrue to those rural enterprises, in terms of increased market access, and the provision of various supporting services.
The Paper on Making Service Markets Work for the Poor, by Jim Tanburn and Regina Kamuhanda, describes how service markets work for the poor in Uganda, in education, primary health, telecommunications, financial services, commercial radio, agricultural extension, public transport and vocational training. The Paper concludes that understanding among policy makers varies widely, with some service markets working relatively well for the poor, and others still fragmented or dysfunctional.