Development Centre
OECD Emerging Markets Network - EMnet
EMnet is the OECD Development Centre’s business-led platform for dialogue and analysis of policy challenges, economic trends and business opportunities in emerging markets. It brings together high-level public officials, senior executives from multinational corporations and OECD experts.
EMnet events are closed to the public and operate under Chatham House rule to allow for outspoken discussions and share experiences. 
Bridging business and development in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Over the last two decades, the world’s economic centre of gravity has shifted dramatically. Between 2000 and 2019, the share of emerging markets in global trade increased from 32% to 46%, and their share as recipients of global foreign direct investment (FDI) from 15% to 46%. Currently, most of the world’s GDP growth occurs in those markets.
Business opportunities are development opportunities. That is why, to inform its work, the Development Centre needs a platform for regular dialogue with private investors, as primary actors of development in those regions. EMnet in turn provides multinationals operating across emerging markets with a space for peer-group exchange informed by OECD expertise, independent data and analysis, and for policy dialogue with the Centre’s Member governments.
How we work
The network hosts meetings on doing business in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean and cross-regional thematic Working Groups on Sustainability, Green Economy and Digital Transformation at OECD Headquarters and abroad.
Activities are steered by a business led advisory group, with Co-Chairs appointed to guide EMnet’s Regional Meetings and Working Groups. The outcomes of our meetings are published as EMnet reports, offering a business perspective on topics under discussion across the OECD Development Centre.
The EMnet thematic Working Groups meet at least once a year to offer a platform for a cross-regional thematic dialogue and an opportunity for engagement with key partners and stakeholders. The Working Groups guide EMnet’s work on key areas that are set to shape growth and innovation across emerging markets in the coming decades.
Thematic Working Groups
 Digital Transformation Digital transformation, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, is changing business in emerging markets, boosting productivity, transforming regional value chains, accelerating the transition to industry 4.0 and opening new ways of improving public services. How can policies fix connectivity issues, improve access and affordability, and close the remaining digital gaps? |
 Business and Sustainability As fiscal space narrows in the context of the pandemic, EMnet’s Policy Note on Sustainability identifies the untapped potential of sustainable business to accelerate an inclusive recovery in emerging markets. How can policymakers use ESG and sustainable models and inclusive policies such as Gender to encourage collaborations and drive private sector investment in emerging markets? |
 Green Economy Emerging markets are amongst the worst affected by climate change and have most to gain from collective climate ambition. How can governments and business drive private sector transformation, ensure an inclusive transition, and equip employees with the right skills for the future? |
For more information or to be a part of the EMnet Working Groups please contact dev.emnet@oecd.org
EMnet reports and publications
With inputs, case studies and recommendations from members, policy notes provide business views on development in emerging markets.
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Emerging Markets
The 2022 edition of Business Insights on Emerging Markets provides a private sector perspective on investment opportunities and challenges in Asia, Latin America and Africa. |
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Sustainability In the wake of COVID-19, what can businesses do to support a able recovery in developing and emerging economies? And how can governments create conditions that support corporate sustainability in the face of the current crisis? |
Consult past publications here
Events
Events are by invitation only
6 April 2023 | In-person Meeting, Paris, France
Accelerating Sustainable Business in Emerging Markets Working Breakfast on Digital Inclusion
As the economic landscape remains highly uncertain and increasingly fragmented, firms are confronted with the challenge of rethinking their transition towards more sustainable and resilient business models. The EMnet meeting analysed how companies are adapting their sustainable business strategies to this evolving global context and what policies can support these efforts. Discussions focused on ways to accelerate sustainability in emerging markets, promote sustainable supply chains, further develop ESG standards and support more gender equality.
14 April 2023 | In-person Meeting, Washington DC, USA
OECD EMnet working breakfast on digital inclusion in emerging markets
The working breakfast discussed how to promote more digital inclusion in emerging markets to support economic and social development, and the role of the private sector in the process. In this interactive discussion, participants were invited to share their views on the opportunities and challenges of bridging the digital divide in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of global economic and political uncertainty.
6 June 2023 | In-person Meeting, Paris, France
OECD EMnet Business Meeting on Latin America: " New opportunities in an evolving landscape"
The EMnet meeting will analyse new opportunities and drivers for business recovery in Latin America in the context of a challenging international and domestic scenario. Sessions will discuss the current regional economic context, key international partners for LAC, the role of green digital technologies to accelerate sustainable development and what needs to be done to encourage greater regional integration and co-operation.
4 October 2023 | In-person Meeting, San José, Costa Rica
Business Meeting in the margins of the OECD LAC Ministerial Summit on Environmental Sustainability
Fall 2023 | In-person Meeting, Paris, France
EMnet Africa Meeting
EMnet members
- Absa (South Africa)
- AeTrade (Rwanda)
- American Tower Corporation (United States)
- AT&T (United States)
- Bancolombia (Colombia)
- Bayer Crop Science (Germany)
- BBVA (Spain)
- Danone (France)
- DHL (Germany)
- Enel (Italy)
- Eni (Italy)
- Grupo Santander (Spain)
- Iberdrola (Spain)
- Mastercard (United States)
- Michelin (France)
- Millicom (Luxembourg)
- MSD (United States)
- MUFG Bank (Japan)
- Organon (United States)
- Syngenta (Switzerland)
- Telefónica (Spain)
- Verisk Maplecroft (United Kingdom)
- Walmart (United States)
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