The ascendance of market systems development (MSD) programming has coincided with an awakening to the importance of more equitable development, as reflected in the increasing program commitments to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). While people with disabilities are often captured through the broader social inclusion category, the concept of disability inclusion remains new to most MSD programs and practitioners, and is considered by some as unfavorable because of the presumed small market share and additional costs of serving this segment.

This paper is the first in a series of three commissioned by Elan, a MSD program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to increase understanding and applicability of disability inclusion in MSD and disseminate practical tools, frameworks and guidance.

Credit: Thumbnail illustration by Storyset