New Markets Lab

What it reported doing in 2024

In 2024, the New Markets Lab (NML) partnered with new and existing organizations to further its mission of advancing the spread of sustainable and equitable commercial agriculture to the benefit of small farmers and communities and leveraging law and regulation as a tool to advance economic and social development in an evolving global market.International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): In 2024, NML continued its collaboration with IFPRI under the CGIAR Breeding for Tomorrow/Seed Equal Research Initiative. The Initiative aims to support the delivery of seed of improved, climate-resilient, market-preferred and nutritious varieties of priority crops that embody a high rate of genetic gain to farmers, ensuring equitable access for women and other disadvantaged groups. NML designed and documented an empirical mapping methodology for cross-country analysis of seed regulatory systems, structured around four core domains: (i) public varietal research, development, and transfer; (ii) seed variety registration and release; (iii) seed certification and quality assurance; and (iv) seed trade. The resulting comparative study featured Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda for the Agricultural Systems Special Issue on Designing, Assessing and Scaling Approaches for Integrated Seed Sector Development (Walter de Boef, ed.). Using the methodology, NML conducted and expanded comparative assessments for Kenya, Tanzania, covering four domains: (i) public varietal research, development, and transfer; (ii) seed variety registration and release; (iii) seed certification and quality assurance; and (iv) seed trade. NML also added and significantly updated maps for Kenya and Tanzania and refreshed previously developed maps to reflect current statutes, regulations, and institutional practice.International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMYYT): In 2024, NML partnered with CIMMYT, an international CGIAR Research Center, focused on creating a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agri-food system (under the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) Project, now the Dryland Legumes and Cereals Project). NML developed a suite of legal toolsincluding model licensing agreements, annotated guides, and customized frameworks for Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzaniathat provide national agricultural research and extension services (NARES) with the practical foundation to operationalize licensing. Building on these tools, NML delivered targeted capacity building workshops in Ghana and Tanzania, strengthening institutional capacity to apply licensing concepts, comply with plant breeders rights and other relevant laws, and align with regional approaches across sub-Saharan Africa.Consortium Independent Study on Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions: In 2024, NML wrapped up its work under the independent, partly self-funded study with a consortium of partners including AWS and SIA, entitled The MSME Moratorium: Stories from MSMEs in South Africa and Kenya on the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions. The study relied on extensive fieldwork carried out in Kenya and South Africa to evaluate the potential effects of the Moratoriums expiration on micro-, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The findings underscore the importance of inclusive trade policymaking, engaging stakeholders in consultations, and considering the voices of MSMEs in crafting new trade rules that affect digital trade.Nathan Associates LLC (now Cadmus Group LLC): In 2024, the Cadmus Group re-engaged the NML team to work on a project focused on analyzing the gender impacts of legal and policy changes that resulted from the implementation of the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Under the project, NML was tasked with generating evidence at the national level, developing a research brief to inform and guide future activities of the Trade and Gender Incubator, and equipping governm

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.8%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 84.5%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $12.39 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 80%; rating input score 80; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 1 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 12
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.5%; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.22; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.12; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 41%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.6% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 28.9% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings