International Development

Public sector organizations are key to societal and economic progress and well being. We work with government organizations to improve the lives and livelihoods of their citizens, driving transformations that have a significant, positive impact on society. By combining a highly collaborative working model with insights from our globally recognized research centers, we provide an approach tailored to each client’s needs.
Our work spans multiple sectors and functions, including digital and analytics, operations, organization, and strategy. We work end-to-end—from diagnosis to delivery of lasting impact—together generating tangible results that are improving the lives of millions worldwide.

Examples of our work

Over the past five years we have completed almost 500 development-focused projects worldwide. We support leading international development agencies, governments, and private donors in making their operations more efficient and effective, developing cutting-edge strategies and initiatives, and bringing projects to a successful conclusion on the ground.

Launching a global health partnership

We helped shape the governance, operations, and financing of a public–private partnership that invests billions a year in countries across the globe. Grants from the fund have helped treat 11 million people for HIV/AIDS, treat 17 million people for tuberculosis, and save 20 million lives.

Forging a new direction

An international development organization asked us to help develop a new operating model and three-year strategic plan. The results secured broad stakeholder support, gave staff clarity on direction, and prompted major agencies to agree to a 50 percent increase in funding.

Securing better educational outcomes

A ministry in a developing country sought our help to develop a model for basic education, a performance culture, and extensive teacher training. In its first year, the project trained almost 90,000 teachers, delivered 18 million textbooks, and improved learners’ language skills by over 8 percent.

Defining an agricultural strategy

A country in Africa faced agriculture productivity challenges that ranged from difficult market access to underdeveloped irrigation. The strategy-development program established a dedicated delivery unit, piloted solutions, trained farmers, and is set to increase GDP by $20 billion by 2025.

Supporting post-Ebola recovery

The presidential team of a country in Africa needed help restoring healthcare services, getting children back to school, and supporting vulnerable groups. Its national recovery plan secured $280 billion in donor funding and brought tangible gains in health, education, energy, water, and private-sector development.

Reforming schools in South Asia

A province reformed its educational system to fix poor outcomes, teacher shortages, and static enrolment. In three years, it got 1 million more pupils onto primary-school rolls, repaired or built more than 50,000 facilities, and boosted daily attendance rates from less than 80 to more than 90 percent.
Video

Battling polio in Nigeria

This video explains how the Nigerian government and its international partners, including McKinsey, used an innovative approach to drastically reduce the number of polio cases in the country.

How we work

Our expertise spans economic development and trade, education and youth empowerment, public health, disaster relief and reconstruction, agriculture and rural development, green growth, power and energy, financial inclusion, migration, and social inclusion.

  • Our deep expertise in the public and social sectors is complemented with more than 90 years of private-sector experience across all industries and capabilities.
  • We work as a trusted partner with heads of state, government ministers, and senior leaders of development agencies on their most pressing challenges.
  • We support our clients with projects from start to finish, using our proven delivery methods, tools, and solutions for diagnostics, analysis, strategy development, capability building, and implementation.
  • Focused units, such as our Africa Delivery Hub, enable us to gear our support to the pace and requirements of our clients in this sector.
  • We help shape the global development debate by investing in proprietary research, fresh thinking, and an extensive publishing program.
  • The McKinsey Global Institute and McKinsey Center for Government address critical economic and social challenges facing public and private institutions.

Our people

Maya Horii
Senior Partner, Tokyo
Advises public sector agencies on economic development, digital and sustainability transformation, and partners with Japanese companies on their organizational transformation, globalization, and diversity & inclusion
Tania Holt
Senior Partner, London
Leads McKinsey’s Healthcare work across Africa. Advises governments, development agencies, philanthropists, and private sector entities on topics of public health and safety, control of endemic diseases, pharma supply chains, and operational efficiencies
Kartik Jayaram
Senior Partner, Nairobi
Focuses on sustainability and economic development
Michael Conway
Senior Partner, Philadelphia
Leads our global work in international development, public health, and biopharmaceuticals, helping leading organizations in public, social, and private sectors to address strategic, organizational, and operational challenges
David Fine
Senior Partner, London
Leads our work globally in the public sector, social sector, and healthcare, with deep commitment to strengthening public services and expanding employment worldwide
Salman Ahmad
Senior partner, Karachi
Leads McKinsey’s work in Pakistan. Has broad global experience in helping governments and major companies tackle their key challenges and shape growth strategies. Brings deep expertise in telecommunications, financial services, and the public sector.
Eoin Daly
Senior Partner, London
Leads our Public Sector Practices in the UK & Ireland, advising companies and governments on delivering performance transformations
Bobby Demissie
Partner, Dallas
An expert in public-sector delivery and a leader in energy, health, and agriculture topics, serving public and private clients globally
Anu Madgavkar
McKinsey Global Institute Partner, New Jersey
Leads global research focused on labor markets and human capital, technology’s economic impact, gender economics, digital and financial inclusion, and inclusive growth
Ali Ustun
Partner, Doha
Supports public, social, and healthcare clients on a broad range of strategic, development, and digital-transformation topics

Featured insights

Article

The opportunity in government productivity

– Governments face a pressing question: How to do more with less? Raising productivity could save $3.5 trillion a year—or boost outcomes at no extra cost.

Featured insights

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McKinsey on Public Finance, March 2023
– McKinsey on Public Finance brings together our perspectives across all aspects of public finance from our proprietary... research, global experience, and relationships around the world. You’ll find insights on new, innovative approaches along with some of our most popular articles over the last several years—timeless pieces that continue to resonate with global public finance leaders.
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Reinvesting in America
Approximately $3 trillion in additional federal spending could enter the US economy. Will these investments be transformative?... How can governments and companies harness the opportunity to advance sustainable and inclusive growth?
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Unlocking the potential of public-sector IT projects
– Public-sector IT projects can leverage four drivers of performance improvement to maximize value.
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How We Help Clients