DFC Response to Bridge School Abuse Probe Raises Broader Concerns

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s Independent Accountability Mechanism found that the agency’s predecessor knew about the risk of child sexual abuse before investing in Bridge International Academies — and failed to act on it. But DFC’s plan to address those findings leaves out the students who were allegedly harmed.

The case is also raising bigger questions about accountability at DFC. Its Independent Accountability Mechanism, or IAM, went months without a director, had staff departures, and other changes that have left some advocates worried about whether it will have the people — and the space — to do its job effectively, especially as DFC expands...

“Accountability is more important now than it’s ever been for the institution and so we want to make sure that the IAM is still able to do its work,” [Accountability Counsel's Stephanie]Amoako said. “We don’t want to see a circumstance where hard-hitting investigations or other things DFC deems threatening are slowed down or hindered and instead are made public, transparent,” she said.