Private sector or development? Both build a better world

With many new, especially younger, people looking to enter the development sector, I sometimes sense anxiety and disappointment when immediate opportunities aren’t available. This saddens me because I believe working in the private sector is an equally valuable contribution to development.

First and foremost, none of us would have jobs in this field without an economy. In most countries, the economy is market-driven and relies on the success of the private sector—businesses paying taxes and employees contributing to public funding. In fact, much of the funding for development comes from these tax revenues. Additionally, funding sometimes comes from philanthropists who’ve built their wealth through business, and occasionally directly from private sector initiatives. Ultimately, this economic activity drives the development sector and shows how vital businesses are to supporting society.

Furthermore, in the realm of digitalization, we depend on private-sector solutions and innovations to drive progress. Most tools and services are developed by the private sector. Even open-source solutions, born from community efforts, often rely on companies for secure implementation, ongoing maintenance, and access to infrastructure like cloud services.

While we may address different challenges, I don’t believe one sector is inherently more beneficial than the other. I completely understand the ambition to work on public goods, global regulatory issues, and other development challenges—that’s why I’m in development myself, and I love the challenge and purpose. However, I don’t see my contribution as any greater than someone’s in a business, especially a tech company, given my focus on digital development.

If you aspire to work in development but haven’t found the perfect opportunity yet, don’t overlook the private sector. Landing a role there—no easy task—can offer incredibly valuable experience. I may be a bit biased, having started in the private sector, but I genuinely believe blending skills from both worlds is a strength. Understanding how to create products and services people will pay for, manage a business within an existing regulatory framework, and sustain growth provides practical insights. Pair that with a development mindset—focused on checks and balances, human rights, and long-term impact—and you gain a well-rounded perspective on sustainable progress. My private-sector background keeps me grounded, reminding me that resources aren’t limitless and ambitious ideals need to be practical.

The private sector isn’t just a profit-chasing machine without ethics; plenty of people work on making great products that make our lives better, happier, easier, and healthier. Nor is the development sector full of purely altruistic people working solely for the greater good without personal gain. I know few who, while deeply committed to positive impact, aren’t also seeking fair compensation and benefits. We live in a practical world. Most people work for a paycheck, but many in development also find intrinsic rewards like purpose and fulfillment alongside financial stability. Meanwhile, someone in the private sector might not focus on global development daily, but by excelling in their role, they help businesses thrive—which ultimately supports development. Plus, many in tech tackle the same issues we do, like privacy, so the intellectual challenge is just as big.

So, thank you to the private sector for providing the financial and innovative resources that make development work possible, and thank you to the development sector for advancing our shared goals. Neither is better than the other; we simply play different roles in pursuit of a common aim—a better, safer world for everyone. Whether you’re at a company or a development organization, you’re part of this journey.