A Comment on the Millennium Challenge Account Selection Process

This note examines how countries are selected to receive funding under the Millennium Challenge Account, and follows the publication of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) “Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance in FY 2004.” The proposed selection process has several strengths and weaknesses which have been thoroughly discussed and debated during the last 15 months. Overall it is a reasonable starting point for the MCC, although there are several simple steps that could be taken to improve the system. This paper highlights some key points and recommendations.