NYU’s Development Research Institute unites research, dialogue, and strategy to empower citizens, build resilient nations, and foster allied collaboration. With its Wahba Initiative, the Financial Access Initiative, Africa House, and others, DRI advances solutions at the crossroads of development, infrastructure, trade, technology, and geopolitics.

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About DRI

NYU’s Develop Research Institute and the Wahba Initiative with their partners, the Financial Access Initiative, Africa House, and the Center for Technology and Economic Development, bridge academic research and policy action to address today’s global challenges. From development to deterrence, we equip leaders with insight that spans economics, infrastructure, technology and alliances.

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Strategic Pillars

Development That Delivers Opportunity

Inclusive development underpins economic security. Advancing financial access, human capital, institutional trust, and entrepreneurship strengthens prosperity and expands opportunity in every region.

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Infrastructure That Binds and Builds Power

Infrastructure defines power—linking allies, securing chokepoints, and enabling the flow of goods, energy, and data. The goal: systems that empower, not entrap.

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Enhancing Resilience and Expanding Reach

Resilience must be realistic. Targeted production, diversified sourcing, and trade expansion reduce vulnerability while sustaining innovation and competitiveness.

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Securing Democratic Digital Dominance

Digital leadership is decisive. Democracies must lead in semiconductors, AI, networks, and space to ensure secure, open, and values-based systems prevail.

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Modernizing Alliances for Mutual Advantage

To compete at scale and speed, alliances must modernize—aligning across defense, trade, digital rules, and infrastructure to convert shared values into shared strength.

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Evidence-Based Practice in Development Policy

Effective development policy must be grounded in rigorous evidence, not assumptions. Translating research into actionable strategies that work in real-world contexts helps governments, institutions, and communities make informed decisions that deliver measurable and lasting impact.

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Financial Access in a Growing World

The Financial Access Initiative conducts rigorous research on how low-income households use financial tools like savings, credit, insurance, and payments. Its work informs policies and product design that expand meaningful financial inclusion worldwide.


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