The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is a global partnership that supports the least developed countries (LDCs) and recently graduated countries to harness trade and investment as engines of inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic transformation, in an evolving global trade landscape marked by volatility, inequality and opportunity.
The EIF is designed as a renewed, responsive and fit-for-purpose mechanism that helps countries strengthen trade and investment capacity, deepen integration into the global trading system, leverage financing, and catalyse inclusive economic transformation. Under its current strategy period (Phase Three), from October 2025 to December 2031, the EIF is expected to support 44 LDCs and 2 recently graduated countries.
- Vision: Inclusive trade and investment for resilient, sustainable and transformative development.
- Mission: Empower the LDCs to lead their sustainable economic transformation by harnessing their trade and investment potential.
- Goal: Competitive, diversified, inclusive and resilient LDC economies integrated into the global trade and investment system.
The EIF’s support is catalytic—strengthening national systems and institutions, mobilizing partnerships, and leveraging additional public and private finance to enable sustainable impact beyond individual interventions.
EIF’s Unique Contribution
The EIF is a unique mechanism that supports LDCs in harnessing trade and investment for development through a partnership-based approach that brings together governments, development partners, international organizations and the private sector.
The EIF resources are designed to be catalytic—leveraging additional public and private financing, strengthening national systems, and enabling sustainable, long-term impact beyond the life of individual interventions.
Building on its comparative advantage in institutional strengthening and trade and investment mainstreaming, EIF supports countries in designing, implementing and scaling development strategies anchored in trade, fostering ownership and driving inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic transformation.
The EIF supports the trade and development objectives of LDCs in a changing global landscape.
Governance and Institutional Innovation
The EIF is supported by a governance architecture that enhances strategic oversight, accountability and coordination across the programme:
- The Executive Board (EB) provides strategic oversight and ensures accountability.
- The Executive Secretariat (ES) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) plays an enhanced coordination and technical assistance role.
- The Trust Fund Manager (TFM) at UNOPS retains fiduciary and compliance responsibilities.
At country level, the EIF strengthens National Implementation Arrangements, including EIF Focal Points, National Steering Committees and National Implementation Units, embedding these structures into national development systems to promote sustainability and long-term ownership.
Working alongside countries as they graduate, we develop frameworks to open up new horizons of diversification, creating employment and sustainable growth towards greater resilience with broader social and economic inclusion through global trade.
