Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) have the potential to play a critical role in marshalling large volumes of development finance in order to achieve economic development goals. Key state DFIs and investment bodies control assets and investments worth hundreds of billions of rands. These resources need to be harnessed deliberately as part of an overall development strategy, rather than operating in an unco-ordinated way, or simply as commercial operations. A strategic development framework for these institutions will ensure a far greater impact in achieving the goals of our developmental state.