Resource Library

The Resource Library serves as a broad resource hub, including over 1000 documents, training materials, wikis, and curated reports to increase readers' awareness, understanding, and proficiency of several topics in market systems development. Users have access to proposals, evaluation materials, and USAID policy updates, as well as training modules and wikis to boost skills and knowledge.

These resources are bolstered by the inclusion of curated USAID reports published on the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) which serves as a repository of reports from completed or ongoing USAID development projects around the globe. The full USAID Development Clearinghouse website can be accessed here.

Mobilizing Investment for Development with Transaction Advisory Services: Learning Brief

July 21, 2023
USAID's Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Policy recognizes that private sector resources and capabilities are required to work at the scale needed to address development challenges effectively and sustainably. Mobilizing private capital has become an increasingly important part of this effort.
  • By: Kristin Jangraw
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An EKOTEK customer uses solar lights to work at night.

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5.3.1.2. Phase 1 Tools: Channels

Market Map The first step in understanding channels is to create a market map that tracks the flow of goods from either the producer or exporters all the way to the end consumer. The objective of this exercise is to highlight the full range of distribution options available to clients in the value chain and the relative importance (in terms of volume percentages) of the various channels.

5.3.1.1. Phase 1 Tools: Context

Porter’s Diamond of National Advantage Michael Porter’s Diamond of Competitive Advantage is an excellent way to gain a quick strategic view on the status of an industry. The four components of the diamond can be used to analyze the current domestic industry and identify areas of relative strength and weakness relative to similar industries in other countries. Each section of the diamond works as a system and reinforces the inputs from the other attributes.

3.2.2.1. Backward Market Research Process

Once Phase 1 is completed and clear choices have been made about what markets warrant focused research, planning for a major primary research campaign can begin. In many cases, this planning starts with a vague definition of the problem at hand or a statement about the lack of information for a certain market or product.

3.2.2. Conducting an End Market Analysis

A thorough market analysis for a value chain can take up to three months of dedicated effort, but a high-level understanding of how global markets for a product or service operate and where attractive customers may be located can be reached in a matter of weeks. In line with common practices in market research, end-market analysis can be divided into two broad categories — Phase 1 and Phase 2.

1.3.1. End Markets - Overview

What is an End Market? The term end market is used to indicate where the final transaction takes place in a value chain. Typically it is where the end-user is located, meaning the individual or organization for whom the product or service has been created, and who is not expected to resell that product or service. For example, creating a consumer product may entail many transactions between various value chain actors, but the end market is where the product becomes available for purchase by the consumer.

Value Chain Development Wiki

The Value Chain Development Wiki codifies good practice in value chain development and emerging learning in inclusive market systems development.

ECYMP Factsheet

ECYMP is designed to accelerate the creation of sustainable livelihoods and self-employment opportunities for vulnerable youth.