The UK’s aid system is at a crossroads. Budgets have been reduced, priorities reshuffled, and development spending is under sharper political scrutiny than at any point in recent memory. At the same time, the future of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) is under reconsideration.

Two former DFID colleagues (yes, this is partly a reunion episode, but with sharper questions than nostalgia alone allows) reflect on what UK aid oversight looked like before ICAI, what changed after its creation in 2011, and what could be at risk if it were weakened or removed.

In an era of shrinking ODA and fragmented delivery across departments, that independent lens may matter more than ever.

We also revisit uncomfortable but important questions on what happens when development funds drift off mission? How does an economic development programme in Malaysia become associated with fighter jet purchases?

This is not simply a procedural debate about one institution. It is a conversation about credibility, transparency, leadership, and whether the UK wants to remain a serious actor in global development.

If oversight is the feedback loop in the aid system, what happens when that loop weakens?

If this conversation resonates, share it with colleagues, policymakers, and anyone engaged in development practice.

Subscribe to Flywheel Economics on your preferred podcast platform, follow us across social media, and visit our website for more discussions.

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Nauru is often cited as a cautionary tale of the resource curse. It is a nation that reached the pinnacle of global wealth in the 1970s only to face a staggering economic crash. But for Flywheel Economics, the true story of Nauru isn't the collapse; it’s the recovery.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Keith to deconstruct Nauru’s "roller coaster" economy. We trace a path that began with near-oblivion during the Japanese invasion of WWII, peaked with untold riches, plummeted into desperate poverty, and is now remarkably pivoting back toward high-income status in 2026. This is a masterclass in economic adaptability. Whether you are interested in Public Financial Management, emerging markets, or the sheer grit of island nations, this conversation reveals what it takes to build a flywheel of prosperity when the traditional rules of growth are rewritten by necessity.

Special thanks to our guest, Andrew Keith (Economist and PFM Expert) for his invaluable insights.

Subscribe to the Flywheel Economics Podcast for more deep dives into remarkable real-world stories just like this.

Share your thoughts with us on social media @flywheeleconomics and explore other topics on our website @flywheeleconomics.com.

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The international development landscape is at a turning point. As the global economy becomes more fragmented and uncertain, traditional aid models are under increasing strain. UK ODA has been sharply reduced, USAID’s footprint has narrowed, and support for low-income countries continues to decline.

In this episode of the Flywheel Economics podcast, Daniel Yeo, founder of Umami Works (https://umami.works/), joins us to explore what comes after aid as we’ve known it. Drawing on his experience across development, investment, and policy, Daniel reflects on why the old charity model is no longer sufficient and what new, more catalytic approaches could unlock sustainable growth.

From mobilising private capital to nurturing credible investment pipelines, this conversation searches for the “umami” in international development: the missing ingredient that helps good ideas scale, endure, and compound over time.

Special thanks to our guest, Daniel Yeo (Founder, umami.works) for his invaluable insights.

Subscribe to the podcast and leave your thoughts on social media @flywheeleconomics. Go deeper on the topics we cover @flywheeleconomics.com.

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As the year comes to a close, we take a step back to make sense of a rapidly shifting global economy. In this episode, the Flywheel Economics team unpacks the key forces reshaping growth across the world, from escalating tariffs and tightening immigration policies to the rise of new technologies transforming how economies function.

We ask:

• What really happens when major economies impose tariffs and who ends up paying the price?

• How can countries close widening labour gaps as populations age and migration slows?

• Can AI-driven innovation fuel productivity fast enough to counter slowing global growth?

Drawing on insights from the latest IMF analysis (the World Economic Outlook (WEO) Report October 2025) and real-world examples, we explore how these policy choices ripple through global supply chains, labour markets, and fiscal systems, and what they mean for emerging economies navigating uncertainty.

If you’re curious about how trade, migration, and innovation intersect to shape economic ecosystems, or if you simply enjoy a good IMF breakdown, this episode is for you.

Tune in for a clear, grounded, Flywheel-style conversation on the global trends that defined 2025 and beyond.

Subscribe to our podcast and leave your comments on social media @flywheeleconomics and go deeper with us on our website @flywheeleconomics.com.

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Why does monitoring in development often feel like an administrative chore instead of a powerful learning tool? The truth is, many aid organisations are stuck in a "compliance culture," treating monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as a bureaucratic exercise that fails to provide the real-time learning and adapting managers need.

In this deep-dive episode of our Value for Money and Aid Effectiveness miniseries, we challenge the status quo with thought leader Daniel Ticehurst. We explore the essential new framework that merges Value for Investment (VfI) with Thoughtful Monitoring (TM) and discuss how this integrated approach could potentially transform M&E systems for real impact.

Special thanks to our guest, Daniel Ticehurst (Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist), for his invaluable insights.

Subscribe to the Flywheel Economics Podcast and share your thoughts with us on social media @flywheeleconomics.

Go deeper with the topics we cover by visiting our website @flywheeleconomics.com.

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What if the pursuit of "good governance" actually increases the risk of civil conflict?

On this provocative episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we challenge the entire development playbook. We sit down with an economist, whose career has taken him into many fragile states, to explore the profound tension between global economic ideals and the desperate need for stability in the world's most fragile countries. We dive deep into why reforms designed to eliminate corruption, like strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM), often fail, or worse, backfire.

This is a must-listen conversation for anyone interested in development, policy, and the ethical trade-offs required to build a lasting peace.

Special thanks to our guest, Tobias Haque (Lead Country Economist, The World Bank Group, Pakistan) for his thought-provoking insights.

Subscribe to the Flywheel Economics Podcast and share your thoughts with us on social media @flywheeleconomics. Visit our website for more information: flywheeleconomics.com.

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Why bet on a startup when you can get a sure thing from a government bond?

On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we're diving into the excitement of venture capital and its powerful potential to drive economic growth.

We sit down with Nneka Eze from VestedWorld, a firm at the forefront of this space, to explore the real-world challenges and untapped opportunities. We ask why VCs are taking the leap, what it takes to build a thriving ecosystem, and what the future holds for African entrepreneurship.

Is this a reckless gamble or the smartest move an investor can make? Find out in today's episode.

Special thanks to our guest, Nneka Eze (Managing Partner, Vested World).

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And check out our website @flywheeleconomics.com.

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Can a nation's economic power be a powerful tool for international development? Or is it primarily a strategy for advancing a country's own interests?

On this episode of the Flywheel Economics Podcast, we’re navigating this complex world with a former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria. He has seen firsthand how foreign policy and economic strategy intersect on the ground.

Join us as we explore the core of economic diplomacy: how it has evolved, the true purpose of foreign aid, and how a nation can balance its own agenda with the development needs of another. This is a conversation about the real-world impact of diplomatic dollars on the global stage.

Special thanks to our guest, Paul Arkwright, former British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Sign this petition to reverse the aid cuts in the UK: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719301

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Social media: @flywheeleconomics

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Flywheel Economics is proud to present this episode on Mafita, a programme that transformed lives by equipping some of Northern Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups with skills, dignity, and opportunity.

At its heart, Mafita was about practical empowerment rooted in context. We heard stories like the young woman with a disability who could finally pursue catering once small adjustments were made to her training space. A boy once scavenging through dustbins who now has access to meaningful opportunities. A child bride who became a skilled seamstress and opened doors for her sisters.

These are not just anecdotes, they’re ripple effects, the flywheel in action. By providing tailored training and respecting cultural realities, Mafita showed how inclusion creates momentum that lifts families and entire communities.

In this episode, Umar Nuhu and Hauwa Umar, reflect on what it takes to design programmes that listen, adapt, and spark positive change without erasing people’s identities.

This isn’t only a story about skills training. It’s about resilience, dignity, and the power of opportunity to set lasting change in motion.

Special thanks to our guests.

Our website: @flywheeleconomics.com

Socials: @flywheeleconomics

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After a deep dive into one of the most critical challenges of our time, Flywheel Economics proudly presents the final episode of our Affordable Housing Miniseries. This series has been a journey into the heart of building truly resilient and sustainable communities, moving beyond just bricks and mortar to address the very foundations of economic well-being.

In this concluding episode, we bring together the powerful insights from our discussions, from the transformative potential of secure land titling in unlocking capital and stability, to the innovative solutions powering the sector. We’ve explored the complex ecosystem of housing finance, policy, and community empowerment.

Join us as we synthesise these threads, offering a comprehensive look at what it truly takes to create affordable housing solutions that foster equitable access and long-term prosperity. This isn't just about shelter; it's about the blueprint for a more inclusive and robust global economy.

Special thanks to our guest host, Daniel Simpkins.

Our website @flywheeleconomics.com

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