Strategy & programme consulting

From strategy to results — and the evidence to prove it

We help governments, development partners, foundations, investors, and implementing organisations design strategies, strengthen institutions, unlock investment, and deliver programmes that create measurable, lasting change.

Many organisations hold strong strategies but stall at implementation. Others deliver programmes without the evidence to improve them. Saguaro works across the whole arc — strategy, market systems, institutional strength, investment, and the learning that ties them together.

Our approach

Four disciplines, one continuous arc

Most firms do one or two of these well. We integrate all four, so clients reach sustainable outcomes rather than short-term outputs.

01

Understand

Rigorous diagnostics, market and sector analysis, and stakeholder engagement to define the real problem.

02

Design

Practical strategies, programmes, institutional solutions, and implementation plans built for the context.

03

Deliver

Hands-on support for execution, coordination, adaptive management, and stakeholder alignment.

04

Learn

Evidence generated, lessons captured, and performance strengthened through our in-house MEL practice.

What we do

Services

Advisory and delivery support spanning the full path from priorities to proof of impact.

01

Strategy, policy & advisory

Helping organisations navigate complexity, set priorities, and make informed decisions.

  • Corporate & sector strategy
  • Policy & reform advisory
  • Institutional diagnostics
  • Market assessments
  • Operating model design
  • Implementation support
02

Programme design & delivery

Designing and running programmes that are practical, scalable, and built to show results.

  • Business cases
  • Theory of Change
  • Results frameworks
  • Implementation planning
  • Programme management
  • Consortium development
03

Institutional & organisational strengthening

Building the governance, systems, and leadership that sustainable change depends on.

  • Organisational assessments
  • Governance
  • Performance systems
  • Process improvement
  • Change management
  • Coaching
04

Investment facilitation & private sector

Connecting public and private actors to unlock investment and accelerate growth.

  • Pipeline development
  • Investor facilitation
  • Investment readiness
  • Public-private dialogue
  • Partnership development
  • Sector competitiveness
05

Market systems & sector transformation

Identifying systemic constraints and designing interventions that create lasting change.

  • Market systems analysis
  • Value chain diagnostics
  • Ecosystem development
  • Market facilitation
  • Scaling strategies
  • Sector reform
06

Monitoring, evaluation, learning & impact

Delivered through our InsightBridge MEL practice — evidence, accountability, and improvement.

  • Monitoring design
  • Baseline & endline studies
  • Impact evaluations
  • Learning agendas
  • Value-for-money
  • Impact frameworks
Where we work

Sectors

Deep experience across the markets and systems that drive economic transformation.

Financial services & inclusion

Stronger financial systems, digital finance, institutional transformation, and regulatory reform.

Agriculture & food systems

Value chains, smallholder productivity, resilience, and agribusiness development.

Blue economy, fisheries & aquaculture

Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic food systems, trade, and livelihoods.

Trade & regional competitiveness

Market access, regional value chains, trade facilitation, and competitiveness.

Enterprise development & livelihoods

Market-based opportunity for SMEs, entrepreneurs, women, and youth.

Education & skills

Workforce readiness, TVET systems, employability, and skills-to-opportunity transitions.

Governance & public sector

Institutions, service delivery, reform programmes, and organisational effectiveness.

Health & social development

Systems strengthening, programme effectiveness, access, and inclusion.

Who we are

Built like the cactus we're named for

Saguaro partners with organisations committed to creating sustainable economic and social impact. We bring together strategy, programme design, institutional strengthening, market systems development, investment facilitation, and impact measurement.

We have worked alongside governments, development agencies, financial institutions, foundations, and implementing partners to design practical solutions and support long-term change. Lasting outcomes come when capable institutions, inclusive markets, and evidence-based decisions come together.

The saguaro thrives in harsh environments by building deep roots, adapting, and sustaining the life around it. Resilient institutions are built the same way — through long-term commitment, local ownership, and solutions grounded in context.

Mission

To strengthen institutions, improve development outcomes, and support inclusive growth through evidence-based strategy, effective delivery, and sustainable capacity.

Vision

A world where capable institutions, inclusive markets, and effective programmes create lasting opportunities for people, communities, and economies.

Partnership

We co-create solutions that are practical, sustainable, and locally owned.

Integrity

Independent advice grounded in evidence, professionalism, and accountability.

Excellence

Rigorous analysis paired with disciplined execution.

Learning

We adapt and improve based on evidence and experience.

Impact

Results that create measurable value for markets and communities.

Track record

What our team has delivered

Work spanning policy, markets, institutions, investment, and implementation.

Capabilities

The full toolkit, in one index

Who we work with

Trusted partners

Bilateral & multilateral donors Development finance institutions Foundations & philanthropies Governments & public agencies NGOs & implementing partners Financial institutions Industry associations Private sector organisations
Let's talk

Designing a programme, strengthening an institution, or scaling what works?

Whether you're building a sector strategy, mobilising investment, or evaluating impact, we can help. Let's discuss how to create sustainable impact together.

Talk to our team