Do international financial institutions facilitate agrifood systems transformation? A textual analysis of design documents

Supporting agrifood system transformation to improve outcomes around climate, nutrition, and inclusion requires that institutions and governments work together. International financial institutions play a pivotal role in shaping global development by providing billions of dollars in loans and grants to borrowing countries for large-to-medium scale projects in the agrifood sector. While projects are agreed upon between institutions and borrowing countries, there are significant challenges in tracking outcomes originating across projects. We used large language models to analyze the agrifood systems outcomes reported in 916 international financial institution project design documents approved by agency boards from 2015 to 2022. The results reveal a lack of environmental and climate change outcomes in the regions most impacted by climate change and little focus on women's empowerment, inclusivity, and agency. • Major investments by international financial institutions often fall short of supporting agrifood system transformation outcomes. • Investments do not reveal bold climate action by IFIs. • International Financial Institution projects are not designed to significantly advance nutritional outcomes. • Inclusion, particularly women's empowerment, needs to be strengthened in all agricultural projects. • Artificial intelligence promotes better accountability in agrifood systems assessment processes.